Government direct loans were created to help make it more affordable for young adults to attend post-secondary education. These are student loans that are available directly from the government and not a bank. As a result, the interest rates may be lower and the student has the option of not making any payment on the loan until he or she has been out of school for at least six months. If you are interested in obtaining a government direct loan, you should take a few minutes to understand how to apply for one.

How to Apply for a Government Student Loan

To be considered for any type of financial aid for college, you first need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA. You can do this on a paper form or by going directly to the federal student loan website. If you choose the latter method, you will need to have a personal identification number (PIN) before you can go forward with your application. To obtain a PIN, go to the section of the government’s website which processes PIN requests. After you have entered the requested information, you will be sent an email with your new PIN. If you complete the application on paper, you will need to wait to receive a PIN in the mail.

Once you have your PIN, you can continue to fill out your FAFSA. Read all questions carefully and supply the requested information if you do not want to experience a delay. When you have reached the end of the FAFSA, the website will prompt you to enter your name, date and PIN. The PIN serves as your electronic signature. After you hit submit, you should receive a confirmation code. In approximately three weeks, you will receive a financial aid award letter.