Lionel University Blog

Federal Student Aid 101: Understanding Federal Direct Student Loans

Written by Lionel Staff | Feb 13, 2023 6:11:14 PM

Are you looking for financial aid for college? Applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a great place to start. One type of loan that students often receive when applying for financial aid is a Federal Direct Student Loan. But what exactly is a Federal Direct Student Loan and why should you consider it? Let’s take a closer look. 

What Is a Direct Loan? 

A Direct Loan is a type of federal student loan provided by the U.S. government to help eligible students pay for their education costs. The money borrowed through this loan can be used to cover tuition, books, and other educational expenses while in school. It is important to note that there are two types of Direct Loans—subsidized and unsubsidized—with different eligibility criteria and repayment terms. 

 

Subsidized vs Unsubsidized Loans 

The main difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is that with subsidized loans, the federal government pays interest on your behalf while you are enrolled in school at least half-time or during periods of deferment or forbearance; whereas with unsubsidized loans, interest begins accruing as soon as you take out the loan and you are responsible for paying the interest accrued during any deferment period or forbearance period. 

 

Eligibility Criteria & Repayment Terms 

In order to be eligible for either type of Direct Loan, one must first apply for FAFSA, which will determine if they qualify based on their financial need and other factors such as income level, family size, etc. Once approved, borrowers have up to 10 years to repay their loan once they graduate or leave school; however, there may be options available such as having an extended repayment plan if needed. Additionally, most borrowers are allowed up to six months after graduation before they have to begin making payments on their loans if they cannot find employment right away. 

Conclusion

Submitting your FAFSA application is an important first step in securing financial aid for college expenses but understanding all your options can be confusing. A Federal Direct Loan can be an excellent way to finance your Lionel University education but it's important to understand the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans as well as eligibility requirements and repayment terms before making any decisions about how best to finance your education costs. With this information in mind, you'll be better equipped to make the best choice when it comes time to apply for aid.

And when you get a degree in exercise science from Lionel University, you learn it all. Social media, fitness entrepreneurship, nutrition coaching, and more. You don’t just get a personal trainer certification (although, you get that too!). Instead, you’ll learn all the factors related to health, fitness, and wellness. This includes learning the ins and outs of the fitness business. Built into the education programs are elective fitness specializations which will earn you a master trainer certificate too. This allows you to work as a personal trainer (and a top-paid one) as you finish your degree program. You could almost consider it a well-paid internship. Plus, with all the peer and experienced faculty interaction, it’s like a personal trainer development center. You can’t get that with just an online personal training certification.

If you want something more than being a great personal trainer, you can! You’ll see the doors to fitness job opportunities are wide open once you have a degree in exercise science. Whether you’re pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree, specialists in exercise science are in demand.

With the help of financial aid, earning your exercise science degree is even more of a possibility. All of this means you can be learning from the best right away. And, in as little as six months, you can be a top personal trainer with the information you learn. It’s the best way to kick-start your dream career in the health and fitness industry.

Check out our programs and contact Lionel today!