Government Backed
Federal Direct PLUS — Federal PLUS Review
Federal Direct PLUS offers federal pluss at 8.94% APR (fixed) as of June 2026.
APR
8.94%
APR range
8.94%
Rate type
fixed
Category
Federal PLUS
Origination fee
4.23%
Overview
Federal Direct PLUS's federal plus is currently priced at 8.94% APR. 2025-26 rate. For parents and grad students. Credit check required..
Federal student loan rates are set annually by formula (10-year Treasury auction + a statutory margin). They cannot be negotiated. Federal loans include borrower protections — income-driven repayment, deferment, PSLF — that private loans don't offer.
Compare Federal Direct PLUS against the alternates below for June 2026.
Pros
- +8.94% APR is competitive for federal pluss
- +Federal borrower protections (IDR, PSLF, deferment)
- +Transparent fee disclosure
Cons
- −Cannot be negotiated — rate is set by formula
- −Best rates require excellent credit and income
- −4.23% origination fee
How it compares
How we review
We review student loans using verified rate data and lender disclosures. Rankings prioritize rate, fees, terms, and institutional safety — not affiliate payout. Read the full methodology.