Before we understand what is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan? Let’s understand the meaning of subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
What is a subsidized loan?
The government has various kinds of loan programs that are designed to help people start businesses. Some loans are given out by the government, and some by banks and SBA. Subsidized loans are a type of government loan.
They are awarded to people who have a hard time getting loans from a traditional source. The government pays the interest on the loan for the borrower.
The lifespan of a subsidized loan depends on which agency loans it out. It could be for as little as six months or as long as ten years. These loans are usually quick approvals and can be used to purchase equipment or open up a new business.
Also Read: Instant Loan For Bad Credit
Subsidized loans are the best and most famous option available to students who are looking for an education loan. There is an interest subsidy available on these types of loans and the borrower has to pay the interest from his/her pocket.
These days, the government has cut down the interest rate on these loans, thus making it an attractive option for students looking for a loan for higher education.
What is an subsidized loan?
Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need. The difference between an unsubsidized loan and a subsidized loan lies in the fact that the government will only pay the interest on subsidized loans while the interest on unsubsidized loans is paid in full by the borrower.
Unsubsidized loans can be paid off by having the interest capitalized, or by paying a fixed monthly payment at a later date.
A student can’t take out a loan for college or graduate school and not pay back the principal and interest if the student doesn’t get a degree. This can make it difficult to get a student loan.
U.S. Department of Education unsubsidized loan is a loan for college or training for students with a creditworthy co-signer that does not need to be paid back if the student does not get a degree.
Interest accrues on the loan while the student is in school and during deferment periods.
What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan?
1. Financial Need
Subsidized loans are need-based loans that are awarded to students based on their financial needs. Unsubsidized loans are not need-based and are awarded to students regardless of their financial needs. Meaning that the borrower must demonstrate financial need in order to qualify.
On the other hand, unsubsidized loans are not need-based and anyone can qualify regardless of their financial situation.
2. Interest Rate
The difference between the two types of loans is that subsidized loans have lower interest rates and do not accrue interest while the student is in school, while unsubsidized loans have higher interest rates and do accrue interest while the student is in school.
The government pays the interest while the borrower is in school and during any grace periods. With an unsubsidized loan, the borrower is responsible for all interest payments from the time the loan is disbursed. This can add up to a significant amount of money over the life of the loan.
3. Intention
A subsidized loan is a loan that is provided by the government with the intention of helping students pay for their education. The government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school and during the grace period.
An unsubsidized loan is a loan that is not provided by the government and the student is responsible for paying the interest while in school and during the grace period.
4. Repayment Terms
Subsidized loans have shorter repayment terms than unsubsidized loans. This means that borrowers will have to make higher monthly payments, but they will pay less interest over the life of the loan.
Subsidized loan interest rate & Unsubsidized loan interest rate
Interest Rates for Direct Loans First Disbursed on or After July 1, 2022, and Before July 1, 2023
| Loan Type | Borrower Type | Fixed Interest Rate |
| Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Undergraduate | 4.99% |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Graduate or Professional | 6.54% |
| Direct PLUS Loans | Parents and Graduate or Professional Students | 7.54% |
All interest rates shown in the chart above are fixed rates. A fixed rate will not change for the life of the loan.
How Interest Is Calculated?
An amount of interest that accrues (adds up) on your loan is determined by a daily interest formula.
This formula consists of multiplying the balance of your loan, which is the amount that you have borrowed and not paid back yet on any given day, by the number of days since your last payment and multiplying this result by the interest rate factor for the complete loan duration.
Interest Formula:
Interest Amount = (Outstanding Principal Balance x Interest Rate Factor) x Number of Days Since Last Payment
What is the Interest Rate Factor?
The simple interest factor can be used to calculate the amount of money owed on a loan. You can find that factor by dividing your loan’s interest rate by the number of days in a year.
Loan Fees for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans
| First Disbursement Date | Loan Fee |
| On or after 10/1/20 and before 10/1/23 | 1.057% |
| On or after 10/1/19 and before 10/1/20 | 1.059% |
Loan Fees for Direct PLUS Loans
| First Disbursement Date | Loan Fee |
| On or after 10/1/20 and before 10/1/23 | 4.228% |
| On or after 10/1/19 and before 10/1/20 | 4.236% |
Direct subsidized loan
A Direct Subsidized Loan is a federal student loan that is awarded on the basis of financial need.
The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan while the student is in school at least half-time, during the grace period, and during deferment periods.
A Direct Subsidized Loan is sometimes called a Subsidized Stafford Loan.
Direct unsubsidized loan
A direct unsubsidized loan is a type of federal student loan that is not based on financial need. The interest on a direct unsubsidized loan starts accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed, and the borrower is responsible for paying the interest. Direct unsubsidized loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students.
What is the difference between a direct subsidized loan and a direct unsubsidized loan?
There are two main types of federal student loans: direct subsidized loans and direct unsubsidized loans. Both types of loans are provided by the U.S. Department of Education and have fixed interest rates.
The main difference between the two types of loans is that direct subsidized loans are need-based, while direct unsubsidized loans are not.
Direct subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students with financial needs. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on these loans while the borrower is in school at least half-time, during the grace period, and during deferment periods.
Direct unsubsidized loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need.
The borrower is responsible for paying the interest on these loans from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.
Interest can be paid while the borrower is in school, during the grace period, or during deferment or forbearance periods, or it can be capitalized (added to the unpaid principal balance of the loan).
Subsidized student loan
A subsidized student loan is a type of financial aid that is offered to students who demonstrate financial need.
With a subsidized loan, the government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school. This can help reduce the overall cost of the loan for the student.
What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan for college?
There are two main types of loans available to students who are attending college: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are need-based, meaning that the student must demonstrate financial need in order to qualify.
Unsubsidized loans are not need-based, meaning that the student does not have to demonstrate financial need in order to qualify.
The biggest difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is the interest rate. Subsidized loans have a lower interest rate than unsubsidized loans because the government subsidizes the interest on the loan. This means that the student will have to pay less interest over the life of the loan.
Another difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is the repayment schedule. Subsidized loans do not begin accruing interest until the student graduates or leaves school. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest as soon as the loan is disbursed.
Finally, subsidized loans have a shorter repayment period than unsubsidized loans. This means that the student will have to pay back the loan in a shorter amount of time.
In general, subsidized loans are a better option for students who are attending college. However, unsubsidized loans may be a better option for students who do not qualify for a subsidized loan or who need to borrow a larger amount of money.