The Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Educational Loan Program (FFELP) are the two types of federal student loan programs that are available to students who need help meeting the costs of postsecondary education. Schools choose which of these loan programs they want to offer to their students. The Federal Family Educational Loan Program is the preferred choice, but this is not to say that the Federal Direct Loan Program does not offer advantages. While the Federal Family Educational Loan Program uses private lenders, the Federal Direct Loan Program works only with the US government. Thus, students and parents get the loan funds directly from the US government. The Federal Direct Loan Program offers various types of loans including the Stafford Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, and Consolidation Loans. The Federal Direct Loan Program offers loans that are not sold. Borrowing students pay the Department of Education until they loan is paid off. There are four different repayment options when it comes to the Federal Direct Loan Program: standard, extended, graduated, and income contingent. Students have the right to change the options as they please and without a fee. In order to apply for the Federal Direct Loan Program, students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This can be found on the Web or through a school’s financial aid office. Once the application is processed, the school will give students financial aid loan options which may include the Federal Direct Loan Program.