Loans for Texans
Student loans and scholarship
Let’s explore the types of loans and scholarships available and their repayment options.
Student loans and scholarship
An education loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest. When you receive a loan, you are borrowing money to pay for college.
There are many different types of loans available and it’s important to research and become familiar with your options.
Federal loans
Federal student loans and federal parent loans are funded by the federal government.
- Direct subsidized loan – this subsidized loan is available to students who qualify for need as determined by the FAFSA. Students must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Interest does not accrue while the student is in school.
- Direct unsubsidized loan – this unsubsidized loan is available to any student, regardless of need. Interest accrues while the student is attending school.
- Direct PLUS loan – there are two types of PLUS loans. PLUS loan for parents and PLUS loan for graduate and professional students.
Your school determines the loan(s) type, if any, and the actual loan amount you are eligible for each academic year.
Read more: Federal loan amounts and interest rates
Texas specific loans and scholarships
Learn more about each of these Texas loan and scholarship programs

FORWARD Loan
View article
Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP)
View article
College Access Loan Program
View articlePrivate loans
Private student loans are non-federal loans, made by a lender such as a bank, credit unition, state agency, or a school. These are also called alternative loans.
Generally, you should only consider obtaining a private education loan if you have maxed out the Direct (federal) loans. The fees charged by some lenders can significantly increase the cost of the loan.
Loan entrance and exit counseling
Prior to receiving your loan, you will need to complete loan entrance counseling. Entrance counseling ensures that you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You’ll learn what a loan is, how interest works, and your options for repayment. Entrance counseling takes about 30 minutes to complete, and it must be completed in a single session.
Read more: Loan entrance counseling
When you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you will need to complete loan exit counseling. The purpose of exit counseling is to make sure you understand your student loan obligations and are prepared for repayment. You’ll learn what your loan repayments will look like after school.
Read more: Loan exit counseling
Loan repayment options
When it’s time to repay your loans, explore options to see if you may qualify for loan forgiveness or loan repayment programs, first. Then you can pick the type of repayment plan, either based on a fixed monthly payment or based on your income.
Fixed payment repayment plans
The fixed payment repayment plans include the Standard Repayment Plan, the Graduated Repayment Plan, and the Extended Repayment Plan. These plans based your monthly payment amount on how much you owe, your interest rate, and a fixed repayment time period. When you leave school, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the Standard Repayment Plan unless you pick a different one.
Read more: Fixed payment repayment plans
Income driven repayment plans
Income driven repayment plans base your monthly payment amount on how much money you make and your family size.
Read more: Income driven repayment plans