Student Loan
Money borrowed to pay for college tuition, room, board, and related expenses that must be repaid with interest after leaving school.
Detailed Explanation
Student loans are the most common way American families finance higher education, with outstanding balances exceeding $1.7 trillion nationally. They come in two broad categories: federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education, and private student loans issued by banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Federal loans carry fixed interest rates set by Congress and offer income-driven repayment plans, deferment, and forgiveness programs that private loans typically do not. The standard repayment period is 10 years, but income-driven plans can extend to 20 or 25 years. Interest begins accruing on unsubsidized loans while the student is still enrolled. The total cost of a student loan depends on the principal amount, interest rate, and repayment timeline. Borrowers who take longer to repay will pay significantly more in total interest. Understanding the difference between federal and private loans is critical before signing any promissory note.
Related Terms
Federal Student Loan
A student loan funded by the U.S. Department of Education with fixed interest rates, flexible repayment options, and potential forgiveness programs.
Private Student Loan
A student loan issued by a bank, credit union, or online lender, typically with variable interest rates and fewer borrower protections than federal loans.
Direct Subsidized Loan
A federal student loan for undergraduates with financial need where the government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time.
Direct Unsubsidized Loan
A federal student loan available regardless of financial need where interest accrues from the date of disbursement, including while the student is in school.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is student loan?
Money borrowed to pay for college tuition, room, board, and related expenses that must be repaid with interest after leaving school.
Why does student loan matter for college ROI?
Student loans are the most common way American families finance higher education, with outstanding balances exceeding $1.7 trillion nationally. They come in two broad categories: federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education, and private student loans issued by banks, credit unions, and online lenders.
this entity is one of the U.S. college cost, debt, and post-graduation earnings concepts that recurs across this site. The definition above is the technical answer; the paragraphs below add the practical context for how the concept connects to the the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data behind every per-entity page on the site.
In the the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, this concept shapes one or more of the fields that drive the per-entity grades and rankings on this site. The methodology page describes which fields feed into which output; this glossary entry documents the underlying term.