Federal Perkins Loan Program
Federal Perkins Loans help financially needy undergraduate and graduate students meet the cost of postsecondary education. The award is made by the school based on the availability of funds. A Federal Perkins Loan carries a fixed interest rate and mu...
What is Federal Perkins Loan Program?
Federal Perkins Loans help financially needy undergraduate and graduate students meet the cost of postsecondary education. The award is made by the school based on the availability of funds. A Federal Perkins Loan carries a fixed interest rate and must be repaid beginning after a nine-month grace period following the date when the student is no longer enrolled on at least a half-time basis.
Institutional financial aid administrators at participating institutions have substantial flexibility in determining the amount of Perkins loans to award to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment. Borrowers who undertake certain public, military, or teaching service employment are eligible to have all or part of their loans canceled.
Program Requirements
You may be eligible for a Perkins Loan if you are
- an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student with exceptional financial need;
- enrolled full-time or part-time; and
- attending a school that participates in the Federal Perkins Loan Program.
Application Details
What is the application process for Federal Perkins Loan Program?
To apply for Perkins Loans, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online (the faster and easier way), or you can get a paper FAFSA from your high school, local library, postsecondary school, or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). TTY users for the hearing impaired can call 1-800-730-8913.
If you applied for Federal student aid for the previous school year, you can probably file a Renewal FAFSA for the next year. By using a Renewal FAFSA, you will only have to update any information that has changed and fill in a few new answers.