CampusPin Glossary

Unsubsidized Direct Loan

A federal student loan available regardless of need. Interest accrues from the moment the loan is disbursed.

Unsubsidized Direct Loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students regardless of financial need. Unlike subsidized loans, interest accrues during enrollment and the grace period — students can pay it as it accrues to keep the principal from growing, or capitalize it. The combined annual limit (subsidized + unsubsidized) for dependent undergraduates is $5,500–$7,500 depending on year.

See also

CampusPin tools

Find colleges that match your criteria

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 3,800+ U.S. universities and community colleges by tuition, program, location, acceptance rate, school size, and more.