Federal Direct Student Loan
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP) also referred to as "Direct Loans," is a United States Department of Education program that offers loans to help students pay for education after high school. The Department of Education performs as a lender, offering funds for Stafford loans and PLUS loans in the same amounts as the Stafford and PLUS loans offered through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).
The Department of Education permits schools to choose which program, Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP) or Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), best go well with the needs of its students. The Department of Education does not currently permit a student to choose an FDSLP loan if the school chooses to participate in FFELP and vice versa. Though, candidates may be able to choose to consolidate loans under either FDSLP or FFELP.