Accrued
Interest
Interest which accrues on the loan and is payable by the
borrower or, in the case of subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, by the federal
government, during in‑school, grace, and deferment periods.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
The APR is the overall cost of borrowing money, expressed
as an annual percentage of the loan balance. The APR calculates the combined
impact of the interest rate, loan fees, capitalization of interest (the
addition of unpaid interest to the principal) and other repayment terms.
Capitalization
Capitalization is the practice of adding unpaid interest
charges to the principal balance of an education loan, thereby increasing the
size and cost of the loan. Interest is then charged on the new balance,
including both the unpaid principal and the accrued interest. Interest can be
capitalized monthly, quarterly, annually or when the loan enters repayment.
Capitalization causes interest to be charged on top of interest.
Consolidation
A consolidation loan combines one or more eligible federal
educational loans into a single new loan.
Cosigner
A signer in addition to the principal signer for borrowers
who do not meet the minimum credit requirements. The cosigner assumes liability
for repayment of a loan in the event the principal signer does not repay the
loan.
Consumer Reporting Agency
An agency, such as Equifax, Transunion, or Experian, that
compiles, maintains, and distributes credit and personal information to
creditors.
Credit Report
A summary of your credit history. It is maintained by an
authorized consumer reporting agency and sent to potential creditors, when
requested.
Default
Default is the failure to repay your loan according to the
terms. It may lead to legal action to recover the money and can negatively
affect your credit rating. Private student loans are considered to be in
default after 120 days of nonpayment, while federal education loans are
considered to be in default after 360 days of nonpayment.
Deferment
A deferment is a postponement of payment on a federal loan
that is allowed under certain conditions during which the government pays interest
on any subsidized loans. The borrower is responsible for the interest on any
unsubsidized loans during a deferment. The economic hardship deferment has a
three-year limit. Deferments during the in-school period are unlimited.
Deferred Interest
Interest that accrues, but on which payment is delayed
until a later date. Such deferred (accrued) interest may be capitalized.
Disclosure Statement
A statement of the actual loan costs, including the
interest rate and any additional fees, which is presented to the borrower at
the time the loan is made.
Endorser
A signer in addition to the principal signer for Federal
PLUS Loans for those borrowers who do not meet the minimum credit requirements.
The endorser signs a promissory note and agrees to repay the loan if the
borrower does not.
Forbearance
A forbearance is a period during which your monthly loan
payments are temporarily suspended or reduced. Interest continues to accrue and
will be capitalized if unpaid by the borrower. You may qualify for forbearance
if you are willing but unable to make loan payments due to certain types of
financial hardships.
Grace Period
A period that begins when you graduate, leave school, or
your enrollment status drops below halftime, whichever comes first, and ends
when your first loan payment is due. Interest continues to be deferred on
subsidized loans during the grace period.
Interest
Interest is a periodic fee for borrowing money, expressed
as a percentage of the loan balance. Interest rates are either variable (the
rate can change) or fixed (the rate will not change). The interest rate on a
variable rate loan can reset (change) annually, quarterly or monthly.
Loans
Loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid over time,
usually with interest.
Loan Fees
Loan fees are one-time charges to originate or guarantee a
loan, expressed as a percentage of the loan balance, and typically deducted
prior to loan disbursement.
Loan Period
The academic year or portion thereof for which the student
loan applicant is enrolled and is seeking one or more loans. Loan period
typically coincides with the beginning and ending of a term or academic year.
MPN (Master Promissory Note)
The legally binding contract between the borrower and the
lender of a Federal Loan. By signing the MPN, the borrower agrees to all terms
and conditions, including the responsibility to repay all borrowed funds along
with any interest and fees that are charged. Unlike other promissory notes
where only one loan can be borrowed per signed note, the MPN allows a school to
make multiple Federal Loans to a borrower using the single note.
Principal
The principal is the full amount borrowed. During
repayment, it refers to the portion of the original loan amount still owed (not
including interest or fees).
Servicer
Companies that specialize in handling billing, collections,
deferments, etc., for student loans.
Terms
The specific conditions of a loan, including the
requirements governing receipt and repayment of a loan.
Unsubsidized
An unsubsidized loan is a loan for which the government
does not pay the interest. The borrower is responsible for the interest on an
unsubsidized loan from the date the loan is disbursed, even while the student
is still in school. Students may avoid paying interest while they are in school
by capitalizing the interest, which adds interest to the loan balance. These
loans are not based on financial need or income. Examples of unsubsidized loans
include the unsubsidized Stafford loan and the PLUS loans.