Student loan borrowers will see an increase in interest rates starting July 1 for Direct Loans borrowed on or after July 1, 2026.
The new interest rates were announced by the Department of Education in a June 4 Electronic Announcement. The interest rate is a fixed rate for the life of the loan.
For Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, and before July 1, 2027, the following rates apply:
- Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans for Undergraduate Students 6.52% (up from 6.39%)
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans for Graduate and Professional Students 8.07% (up from 7.94%)
- Direct PLUS Loans for Parents of Dependent Undergraduate 9.07% (up from 8.94%)
Students and for Graduate or Professional Students
To help students know the upcoming July 1 interest rates, Mapping Your Future staff will soon be updating several references to interest rates on our website.
