Student Loan Rates Updated: FFEL Program Snoozefest Continues
Published Date: 9/10/2026
Notice
Summary
Federal Student Aid announces the interest rates for loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.032, that have variable interest rates. The rates announced in this notice are in effect for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Stafford Loan Rates Set
If you have a variable-rate FFEL Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford loan, your annual interest rate for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 depends on when the loan was first disbursed and your loan status. For example, loans first disbursed on or after 07/01/98 and before 07/01/06 have rates of 5.38% (in-school, grace, or deferment) or 5.98% (any other status); loans first disbursed on or after 07/01/95 and before 07/01/98 have rates of 6.18% (in-school, grace, or deferment) or 6.78% (any other status).
PLUS and SLS Loan Rates Announced
If you have a variable-rate FFEL PLUS or SLS loan, your annual interest rate for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 is specified by cohort. For example, PLUS and SLS cohorts with rates based on the one-year Treasury yield show interest rates of 7.09% for many cohorts, while the cohort of PLUS/SLS loans first disbursed before 10/01/92 shows an interest rate of 7.24% for that period.
Consolidation Loan Components Priced
If you have a variable-rate Federal Consolidation Loan, the interest rate for the portion that repaid non-HEAL loans is 6.78% for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, while the portion that repaid HEAL loans has a rate of 6.72% for that period.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17239, Education Department General Administrative Regulations
The Secretary of Education proposes to amend the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and other provisions in 2 CFR parts 3474 and 3485 to update the regulations and better align them with other U.S. Department of Education (Department) regulations and procedures, and to include technical updates from the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024. The Department intends to finalize these regulations in late 2026.
2026-17001, Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary's Recognition of Accrediting Agencies: Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended, Student Assistance General Provisions
The Department proposes to revise the existing accrediting agency recognition regulations at 34 CFR part 602 to implement the directives set forth in Executive Order 14279, Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education, and other Administration priorities, align the regulations more closely with statute, and reduce regulatory burden.
2026-15019, Rescinding Portions of the Department of Education Title VI Regulations To Align With the Statutory Text and Conform to Executive Order 14281
The Department of Education is changing its rules to stop punishing unintentional discrimination under Title VI, focusing only on intentional discrimination instead. This update, effective July 24, 2026, will make things clearer, cut costs for schools and organizations getting federal money, and follow a new executive order about fairness and opportunity. If you receive federal funds, these changes affect how you follow civil rights rules.
2026-13286, Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand- Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability
Starting July 1, 2027, colleges must prove their programs help students earn enough money to keep getting federal student loans. This new rule affects schools offering Direct Loans and aims to stop loans for programs where graduates don’t make enough. Some parts kick in earlier on August 31, 2026, so schools better get ready to show they’re helping students succeed in the workforce!
2026-10013, Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Pell Grant Exclusion Relating to Other Grant Aid; and Workforce Pell Grants
Starting July 20, 2026, students and schools will see new rules for Pell Grants thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Now, some other grants won’t count against Pell Grant eligibility, and a new Workforce Pell Grant will help students in short, job-focused programs get financial aid. This means more chances for students to get money for education that leads straight to good jobs!
2026-08556, Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations
Starting July 1, 2026, new rules will change how federal student loans work for grad students, parents, and professionals. The Grad PLUS loan is being phased out, and repayment plans are getting simpler with a fresh new income-driven option. Plus, folks who’ve defaulted before get a second chance to fix their loans and get back on track.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18488, Notice of the Virtual Meetings of the Federal Advisory Committee Known as the Western Water Cooperative Committee
The Western Water Cooperative Committee is holding two fun online meetings in October 2026 to chat about water management and update their rules. These meetings affect Western States and anyone interested in how water projects are run, with no costs involved for attendees. Mark your calendar for October 1 and 6 to join the conversation and learn about water rights and project operations!
Next: 2026-18490, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 183, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Dongjin Semichem Texas, Inc.; (Semiconductor-Grade Photoresist Thinner); Killeen, Texas