The Student Loan Dictionary

Accrued

Accrued interest in reference to student loans is the interest that has accumulated since the principal investment (the student loan amount granted to you).

Dispersed

Dispersed or dispersement in reference to student loans is the "pay out" of the student loan. Many times lenders will refer to a loan dispersement date, which is the date that the lender will "loan" you the student loan amount.

FAFSA

Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance for education beyond high school.

Fixed-rate

A fixed rate student loan, would be a loan that's interest rate stays the same during the entire term of the loan.

Grace period

In reference to student loans, a grace period is the period of time you have from when you complete your degree (or stop going to school) until you have to start making payments on your student loan. This is often times around six months.

Interest

Student loan interest is the extra amount of money placed on your principal (the amount you borrowed), as a fee paid to the lender for allowing you to borrow from them.

Loan deferment

Student loan deferment is a period granted because of economic hardship, military service, or other eligible reasons (as defined by your lender) for which your loan payments seize.

Subsidized

Subsidized student loans, are loans that the federal government will pay off the interest on while you attend college, and during the deferment period(s).

Unsubsidized

With unsubsidized student loans you (the borrower) are responsible for all of the interest that accrues on your unsubsidized loan while you are in school.