Applicable interest rates
Rates to be consistent for borrower’s entire debt
With respect to any loan to cover the cost of instruction for any period of instruction beginning on or after
not exceed 7 percent per year on the unpaid principal balance of the loan in the case of any borrower who, on the date of entering into the note or other written evidence of that loan, has an outstanding balance of principal or interest on any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part, for which the interest rate does not exceed 7 percent;
except as provided in paragraph (3), be 9 percent per year on the unpaid principal balance of the loan in the case of any borrower who, on the date of entering into the note or other written evidence of that loan, has no outstanding balance of principal or interest on any loan described in paragraph (1) or any loan for which the interest rate is determined under paragraph (1); or
be 8 percent per year on the unpaid principal balance of the loan for a loan to cover the cost of education for any period of enrollment beginning on or after a date which is 3 months after a determination made under subsection (b) in the case of any borrower who, on the date of entering into the note or other written evidence of the loan, has no outstanding balance of principal or interest on any loan for which the interest rate is determined under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection.
Reduction for new borrowers after decline in Treasury bill rates
Rates for supplemental loans for students and loans for parents
In general
Reduction of rate after decline in Treasury bill rates
Increase of rate after increase in Treasury bill rates
Availability of variable rates
For any loan made pursuant to section 1078–1 1 or 1078–2 of this title and disbursed on or after
For any 12-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on or before
the bond equivalent rate of 52-week Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1; plus
3.25 percent.
For any 12-month period beginning on July 1 of 2001 or any succeeding year, the rate determined under this subparagraph is determined on the preceding June 26 and is equal to—
the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield, as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, for the last calendar week ending on or before such June 26; plus
3.25 percent.
The Secretary shall determine the applicable rate of interest under subparagraph (B) after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and shall publish such rate in the Federal Register as soon as practicable after the date of determination.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)—
for any loan made pursuant to section 1078–1 1 of this title for which the first disbursement is made on or after
subparagraph (B) shall be applied by substituting “3.1” for “3.25”; and
the interest rate shall not exceed 11 percent; and
for any loan made pursuant to section 1078–2 of this title for which the first disbursement is made on or after
subparagraph (B) shall be applied by substituting “3.1” for “3.25”; and
the interest rate shall not exceed 10 percent.
Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (D) for any loan made pursuant to section 1078–2 of this title for which the first disbursement is made on or after
subparagraph (B) shall be applied by substituting “3.1” for “3.25”; and
the interest rate shall not exceed 9 percent.
Interest rates for new borrowers after July 1, 1988
Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, with respect to any loan (other than a loan made pursuant to sections 1078–1,1 1078–2, and 1078–3 of this title) to cover the cost of instruction for any period of enrollment beginning on or after
8 percent per year on the unpaid principal balance of the loan during the period beginning on the date of the disbursement of the loan and ending 4 years after the commencement of repayment; and
10 percent per year on the unpaid principal balance of the loan during the remainder of the repayment period.
Interest rates for new borrowers after October 1, 1992
In general
Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), and (d) of this section, with respect to any loan (other than a loan made pursuant to sections 1078–1,1 1078–2 and 1078–3 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1; plus
3.10 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 9 percent.
Consultation
Interest rates for new loans after July 1, 1994
In general
Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e) of this section, with respect to any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part (other than a loan made pursuant to section 1078–2 or 1078–3 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1; plus
3.10 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25 percent.
Consultation
In school and grace period rules
General rule
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (f), but subject to subsection (h), with respect to any loan under section 1078 or 1078–8 of this title for which the first disbursement is made on or after
prior to the beginning of the repayment period of the loan; or
during the period in which principal need not be paid (whether or not such principal is in fact paid) by reason of a provision described in section 1078(b)(1)(M) or 1077(a)(2)(C) of this title,
shall not exceed the rate determined under paragraph (2).
Rate determination
For purposes of paragraph (1), the rate determined under this paragraph shall, during any 12-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, be determined on the preceding June 1 and be equal to—
the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction prior to such June 1; plus
2.5 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25 percent.
Consultation
Interest rates for new loans after July 1, 1998
In general
Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this section, with respect to any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part (other than a loan made pursuant to sections 1078–2 and 1078–3 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
the bond equivalent rate of the securities with a comparable maturity as established by the Secretary; plus
1.0 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25 percent.
Interest rates for new PLUS loans after July 1, 1998
Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), and (g), with respect to any loan made under section 1078–2 of this title for which the first disbursement is made on or after
by substituting “2.1 percent” for “1.0 percent” in subparagraph (B); and
by substituting “9.0 percent” for “8.25 percent” in the matter following such subparagraph.
Consultation
Treatment of excess interest payments on new borrower accounts resulting from decline in Treasury bill rates
Excess interest on 10 percent loans
If, with respect to a loan for which the applicable interest rate is 10 percent under subsection (d) of this section at the close of any calendar quarter, the sum of the average of the bond equivalent rates of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for that quarter and 3.25 percent is less than 10 percent, then an adjustment shall be made to a borrower’s account—
by calculating excess interest in the amount computed under paragraph (2) of this subsection; and
during any period in which a student is eligible to have interest payments paid on his or her behalf by the Government pursuant to section 1078(a) of this title, by crediting the excess interest to the Government; or
during any other period, by crediting such excess interest to the reduction of principal to the extent provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection.
Amount of adjustment for 10 percent loans
The amount of any adjustment of interest on a loan to be made under this subsection for any quarter shall be equal to—
10 percent minus the sum of (i) the average of the bond equivalent rates of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for such calendar quarter, and (ii) 3.25 percent; multiplied by
the average daily principal balance of the loan (not including unearned interest added to principal) during such calendar quarter; divided by
four.
Excess interest on loans after 1992 amendments, to borrowers with outstanding balances
If, with respect to a loan made on or after
by calculating excess interest in the amount computed under paragraph (4) of this subsection; and
during any period in which a student is eligible to have interest payments paid on his or her behalf by the Government pursuant to section 1078(a) of this title, by crediting the excess interest to the Government; or
during any other period, by crediting such excess interest to the reduction of principal to the extent provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection.
Amount of adjustment
The amount of any adjustment of interest on a loan to be made under this subsection for any quarter shall be equal to—
the applicable interest rate minus the sum of (i) the average of the bond equivalent rates of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for such calendar quarter, and (ii) 3.1 percent; multiplied by
the average daily principal balance of the loan (not including unearned interest added to principal) during such calendar quarter; divided by
four.
Annual adjustment of interest and borrower eligibility for credit
Publication of Treasury bill rate
Conversion to variable rate
Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), a lender or holder shall convert the interest rate on a loan that is made pursuant to this part and is subject to the provisions of this subsection to a variable rate. Such conversion shall occur not later than
In connection with the conversion specified in subparagraph (A) for any period prior to such conversion, and subject to paragraphs (C) and (D), a lender or holder shall convert the interest rate to a variable rate on a loan that is made pursuant to this part and is subject to the provisions of this subsection to a variable rate. The interest rates for such period shall be reset on a quarterly basis and the applicable interest rate for any quarter or portion thereof shall equal the sum of (i) the average of the bond equivalent rates of 91-Treasury bills auctioned for the preceding 3-month period, and (ii) 3.25 percent in the case of loans described in paragraph (1) or 3.10 percent in the case of loans described in paragraph (3). The rebate of excess interest derived through this conversion shall be provided to the borrower as specified in paragraph (5) for loans described in paragraph (1) or to the Government and borrower as specified in paragraph (3).
A lender or holder of a loan being converted pursuant to this paragraph shall complete such conversion on or before
The interest rate on a loan converted to a variable rate pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed the maximum interest rate applicable to the loan prior to such conversion.
Loans on which the interest rate is converted in accordance with subparagraph (A) or (B) shall not be subject to any other provisions of this subsection.
Interest rates for new loans between July 1, 1998, and October 1, 1998
In general
Notwithstanding subsection (h), but subject to paragraph (2), with respect to any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part (other than a loan made pursuant to section 1078–2 or 1078–3 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1; plus
2.3 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25 percent.
In school and grace period rules
Notwithstanding subsection (h), with respect to any loan under this part (other than a loan made pursuant to section 1078–2 or 1078–3 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
prior to the beginning of the repayment period of the loan; or
during the period in which principal need not be paid (whether or not such principal is in fact paid) by reason of a provision described in section 1078(b)(1)(M) or 1077(a)(2)(C) of this title,
shall be determined under paragraph (1) by substituting “1.7 percent” for “2.3 percent”.
PLUS loans
Notwithstanding subsection (h), with respect to any loan under section 1078–2 of this title for which the first disbursement is made on or after
the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1; plus
3.1 percent; or
9.0 percent.
Consultation
Interest rates for new loans on or after October 1, 1998, and before July 1, 2006
In general
Notwithstanding subsection (h) and subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, with respect to any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part (other than a loan made pursuant to section 1078–2 or 1078–3 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1; plus
2.3 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25 percent.
In school and grace period rules
Notwithstanding subsection (h), with respect to any loan under this part (other than a loan made pursuant to section 1078–2 or 1078–3 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
prior to the beginning of the repayment period of the loan; or
during the period in which principal need not be paid (whether or not such principal is in fact paid) by reason of a provision described in section 1077(a)(2)(C) or 1078(b)(1)(M) of this title,
shall be determined under paragraph (1) by substituting “1.7 percent” for “2.3 percent”.
PLUS loans
Notwithstanding subsection (h), with respect to any loan under section 1078–2 of this title for which the first disbursement is made on or after
by substituting “3.1 percent” for “2.3 percent”; and
by substituting “9.0 percent” for “8.25 percent”.
Consolidation loans
With respect to any consolidation loan under section 1078–3 of this title for which the application is received by an eligible lender on or after
the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans consolidated, rounded to the nearest higher one-eighth of 1 percent; or
8.25 percent.
Consultation
Interest rates for new loans on or after July 1, 2006, and before July 1, 2010
In general
PLUS loans
Consolidation loans
With respect to any consolidation loan under section 1078–3 of this title for which the application is received by an eligible lender on or after
the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans consolidated, rounded to the nearest higher one-eighth of 1 percent; or
8.25 percent.
Reduced rates for undergraduate subsidized loans
Notwithstanding subsection (h) and paragraph (1) of this subsection, with respect to any loan to an undergraduate student made, insured, or guaranteed under this part (other than a loan made pursuant to section 1078–2, 1078–3, or 1078–8 of this title) for which the first disbursement is made on or after
For a loan for which the first disbursement is made on or after
For a loan for which the first disbursement is made on or after
For a loan for which the first disbursement is made on or after
Lesser rates permitted
Definitions
For the purpose of subsections (a) and (d) of this section—
the term “period of instruction” shall, at the discretion of the lender, be any academic year, semester, trimester, quarter, or other academic period; or shall be the period for which the loan is made as determined by the institution of higher education; and
the term “period of enrollment” shall be the period for which the loan is made as determined by the institution of higher education and shall coincide with academic terms such as academic year, semester, trimester, quarter, or other academic period as defined by such institution.