If you, like many students, have taken out loans, it’s important to know the answer to, “Do student loans accrue interest while you are still in school?” The answer is often yes. The main exception to this rule is for those who hold Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. While a student is taking classes, the interest on these loans is covered by the US government.
It can be important to understand exactly what type of student loan you have to make sure you understand the terms of the loan and when interest accrues. This, as you might guess, impacts how much you will be paying back.
Read on for a guide to how student loan interest works while you are still in school.
Understanding How Federal Student Loan Interest Works
Do federal student loans accrue interest in school? In many, but not all, cases, the answer is yes. The first step of understanding how student loan interest works is to know what type of student loan you have exactly, because interest may accrue differently, depending on the type of loan it is.
Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans
Federal student loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized. The accrued interest on Direct Subsidized loans is covered by the government while a student is enrolled at least half-time. Direct Subsidized loans are only available to undergraduate students.
For Direct Unsubsidized Loans, students are responsible for paying the interest that accrues on their student loans. Interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed, or paid out to the borrower.
You won’t be required to make payments while in-school, but be aware that if you don’t, you may graduate with a higher balance than when you started. That’s because the accrued interest is capitalized on the original balance of the loan. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students.
Direct PLUS Loans are available for graduate students or their parents. The interest on these loans begins accruing when the loan is disbursed and continues accruing while the student is enrolled in school.
How Does the Grace Period Impact Interest Accrual?
Both Direct Unsubsidized and Subsidized Loans have a six-month grace period after the borrower graduates. On subsidized loans, the borrower is not responsible for paying interest during the grace period. On an unsubsidized loan, interest continues to accrue during the six-month grace period.
Direct PLUS Loans do not have a grace period. Graduate students do receive an automatic deferment after graduation and interest does accrue during this time period.
How Does Capitalized Interest Work?
While payments are not required on most federal student loans while the student is enrolled in school, students with Direct Unsubsidized or PLUS loans have the option of making interest-only payments. This can be helpful because, as mentioned previously, after the grace period, and at the end of periods of deferment or forbearance, the accrued interest is capitalized on the loan.
Capitalized interest on student loans occurs when the accrued interest is added to the principal balance of the loan (the amount that was originally borrowed). This becomes the new balance of the loan, and interest will continue to accrue based on that new balance.
Think of all that accumulating interest like a snowball rolling down a mountain. You might be able to stay ahead of it for a while, but it also might catch up with you.
💡 Quick Tip: Enjoy no hidden fees and special member benefits when you refinance student loans with SoFi.
Understanding How Private Student Loan Interest Works
When thinking about private vs. federal student loans, know that private loans are not subject to the same rules as federal student loans. They’re offered by private companies, and each lender will likely have its own terms and conditions.
Wondering, “Do private student loans accrue interest while still in school?” Yes, the majority of private student loans will accrue interest while the student is enrolled in school. Some lenders may allow borrowers to defer payments until after they graduate. In this case, the accrued interest from while the borrower was in school will likely be capitalized on the loan. To be sure of the terms on your loan, review the loan agreement or check in with the lender directly.
Keep in mind that, as mentioned, private student loans don’t always offer the same benefits or borrower protections (things like income-driven repayment options) that federal loans do. Because of this, they are generally considered after all other sources of financing, including federal student loans, have been exhausted.
This table provides an overview of how interest accrues on the various types of loans discussed in this article.
| Type of Loan | Does Interest Accrue While In School? | Grace Period and Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Direct Subsidized Loans | Interest does not accrue while the borrower is enrolled in school at least half-time | Interest does not accrue during the six month grace period |
| Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Interest accrues while the borrower is in school | Interest does accrue during the six month grace period |
| Federal Direct PLUS Loans | Interest accrues while the borrower is in school | Do not have a grace period |
| Private Student Loans | Varies by lender. It is likely that interest will accrue | Varies by lender. Some lenders may offer a grace period and interest may accrue |
Recommended: Tips to Lower Your Student Loan Payments
Can You Minimize Student Loan Interest Accrual While in School?
One way to limit accrued interest is to limit what you borrow in the first place. When it comes to student loans, aim to borrow only what you really need.
Work-Study or a Part-Time Job
A work-study, for those eligible, or part-time job in another way to help take the sting out of student loan payments. You may have the best intentions when it comes to getting a job to help make those loan payments, but it can be tough to manage when you’re busy with academics, extracurriculars, internships, and more.
Make Interest Only Payments
Do you need to pay student loans while in school? That isn’t likely to be a requirement, but as mentioned earlier, many loans allow borrowers to make interest-only payments while they’re in school. While this won’t really eliminate accrued interest, it may help minimize the amount of interest paid over the life of the loan, because the interest is paid as it accrues instead of being capitalized onto the loan.
Recommended: Are Student Loans Tax-Deductible?
The Takeaway
Interest on many types of student loans accrues while the student is in school. Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are an exception, as the accrued interest is paid for by the government while the student is enrolled in school and during the grace period.
Generally speaking, interest other types of student loans, including Direct Unsubsidized and PLUS Loans, begin accruing interest when they are disbursed, and continue accruing interest while the student is enrolled. For private student loans, each lender will likely have its own terms and conditions. The surest way to confirm how interest accrues on a private student loan is to check directly with the lender.
Depending on your situation, student loan refinancing might lower your monthly payment. However, it’s important to note that if you refinance for an extended term, you may pay more interest over the life of the loan. Also, when you refinance federal loans, you forfeit federal loan protections. Refinancing may not be the right decision depending on your particular needs.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.
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