Discover Student Loans
Discover Student Loans

Graduate Student Loans

Cover up to 100% of your school-certified costs with our student loans for graduate school. Aggregate loan limits apply.

New Lower Fixed Rates xxx - xxx APR

Variable Rates xxx - xxx APR

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Discover® Student Loans has you covered

Zero Fees

Zero Fees

That means no application, origination, or late fees.
Auto Debit Reward

Auto Debit Reward

Get a 0.25% interest rate reduction while enrolled in automatic payments.
Learn more
Valuable Rewards

Rewards for Good Grades

Get a cash reward for your good grades on each new student loan.
Learn more
Repayment Options

Repayment Options

Choose from in-school or deferred repayment options, and there is never a penalty for prepayment.
Learn more
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Relax, we make student loans simple

1

Apply in minutes

Start your application on a computer, smartphone or other device, or call us at 1-800-STUDENT.

2

Add a cosigner

Applying with a creditworthy cosigner can improve the likelihood for loan approval and may lower the interest rate.

3

Set your own terms

Choose a fixed or variable interest rate, and select in-school or deferred repayment.

4

Sign and accept

Sign your loan documents electronically and accept your loan terms.

Common Graduate Loan Questions

Graduate Loan Features

To qualify for a Discover Graduate Student Loan, you must:

  • Be enrolled at least half-time in a graduate program at an eligible school.
  • Be seeking a degree.
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school.
  • Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or international student (International students require a cosigner who is a US Citizen or permanent resident).
  • Be 16 years or older at the time you apply.
  • Pass a credit check.
  • Each year, you can borrow up to 100% of your school-certified cost of attendance (including tuition, housing, books, and more) minus other financial aid. Aggregate loan limits apply.
  • The minimum amount is $1,000 for each loan.
  • We certify and disburse loan amounts through your school so you do not borrow more than you need.

Private student loans are credit based. Students with no credit history or a low credit score may find it difficult to qualify for a private student loan on their own. Students may have the option to apply for a Discover student loan with a creditworthy cosigner. By applying with a creditworthy cosigner, you may improve your likelihood for approval and may receive a lower interest rate on your graduate loan.

  • A fixed interest rate is set at the time of application and does not change during the life of the loan unless you are no longer eligible for one or more discounts.
  • A variable interest rate may change quarterly during the life of the loan if the rate index changes. This may cause the monthly payment to increase, the number of payments to increase, or both.

The variable rate for student loan applications received on or after November 14, 2021, is based on the 3-Month CME Term SOFR index. 3-Month CME Term SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) is a rate index based on what the market expects rates to be over the next three-month time period. You can find more information on 3-Month CME Term SOFR at CME Group.

Doing your homework has its rewards. Students who get at least a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) may qualify for a one-time cash reward of 1% of the loan amount on each new Discover Graduate Loan. Reward redemption period is limited.

Rewards for Good Grades Policy

Get a 0.25% interest rate reduction while enrolled in automatic payments. To enroll, log in to your secure account or call us at 1‑800‑STUDENT.
Auto Debit Reward Policy

Graduate Loan Repayment

If you are in school at least half-time, on active military duty, serving a public service organization, or in a medical residency, you may qualify for a deferment. A deferment period is a period of time when a borrower is not required to make any payments. During deferment, interest will continue to accrue. At the end of a deferment period, any unpaid interest will be added to your principal balance. This may increase the amount of your monthly payments and the total cost of your loan(s).
Deferment options

A repayment period is the period of time during which scheduled payments are required to be made to repay the principal balance and interest on a loan. Your repayment period is 20 years after the deferment period ends.

APR examples

  • In-School Interest-Only - Required to make interest-only monthly payments while you are in school and during your grace period to lower your overall loan cost and receive a 0.35% interest rate discount.
  • In-School Fixed - Required to make $25 fixed, monthly payments while you are in school and during your grace period to lower your overall loan cost.
  • Deferred - Monthly payments are not required until 9 months after you graduate or your enrollment drops below half-time.

You can make payments anytime to help reduce the overall cost of your graduate loan and there is never a penalty for prepaying. If you're not receiving monthly billing statements, we will send you quarterly statements showing you how much interest is accruing and how to make optional payments while you are in school.

APR examples

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and you are unable to make your student loan payments, we have options to help. To learn more about your repayment assistance options and determine if you qualify, please call our Repayment Assistance Department at 1-800-STUDENT.

Compare graduate student loans

The table below compares federal and private student loans for graduate students, including masters and doctoral candidates.

Select Loan Type

Discover

Graduate Loan

Federal

Direct Loans for Students

Federal

Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate / Professional Students
Borrower Student
(may require a cosigner) 		Student Student
(may require an endorser)
Lender

Discover Bank®

 

Government

 

Government

 
Annual Loan Limit
Loan amounts are certified and disbursed through the school.		 Cover up to 100%
of school-certified graduate school costs, minus other financial aid.* Aggregate loan limits apply. 		Up to $20,500
(certain health profession programs may be higher; contact your financial aid office for exact amounts).
 Up to 100%
of your cost of attendance minus other financial aid.*
Interest Rate Fixed
xxx - xxx APR

Variable
xxx - xxx APR
(3-Month CME Term SOFR + xxx to 3-Month CME Term SOFR + xxx)

Lowest APRs are available for the most creditworthy applicants, and include an interest-only repayment discount and Auto Debit Reward.1 		7.05% fixed
(for unsubsidized loans with a first disbursement between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024). 		8.05% fixed
(for loans with a first disbursement between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024).
Origination Fee Zero 1.057%
of loan amount for subsidized and unsubsidized loans with a first disbursement made on or after October 1, 2022 and before October 1, 2023.
 4.228%
of loan amount for loans with a first disbursement made on or after October 1, 2022 and before October 1, 2023.
Rewards for Good Grades yes no no
0.25% Auto Debit Reward yes yes yes
Payment Deferment while in School

No payments are due until 9 months after graduation or enrollment in school less than half-time unless the borrower has elected, during the application process, to make either interest-only or $25  fixed monthly payments while in school and during the grace period.

 

APR examples

 No payments due until 6 months after graduation or enrollment in school less than half-time.
 No payments due until 6 months after graduation or enrollment in school less than half-time.
Eligible Academic Programs
Must be enrolled at least half-time.		 Graduate degree programs. Degree, certificate, study-abroad, or certain distance education programs. For more information, contact your school's financial aid office. Degree, certificate, study-abroad, or certain distance education programs. For more information, contact your school's financial aid office.
Repayment Plans

20 years
standard repayment.

 

APR examples

10 years
standard with flexibility to extend up to 25 years. Multiple repayment options available.

10 years
standard with flexibility to extend up to 25 years. Multiple repayment options available.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Required
 no yes yes
Credit Check Required yes no yes
Cosigner Depends on your credit evaluation. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may improve your likelihood for loan approval and may lower your interest rate. no

Borrowers with adverse credit history may be required to apply with an endorser.
See Full Comparison

Comparisons based on information obtained from the US Department of Education as of May 2023.
*Annual cost of attending a specific school, including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. This amount is determined by your school.
FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Education and is not affiliated with Discover Student Loans.

Resources for students and parents

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Calculators

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  1. The fixed interest rate is set at the time of application and does not change during the life of the loan unless you are no longer eligible for one or more discounts. The variable interest rate and corresponding APR may increase over the life of the loan. The variable interest rate is calculated based on the 3-Month CME Term SOFR index plus the applicable margin percentage less any applicable discounts. The 3-Month CME Term SOFR index value for variable interest rate loans is X as of X. 3-Month CME Term SOFR is administered by CME Group and is published by CME Group on its website (cmegroup.com/termsofr). Discover Student Loans may adjust the variable interest rate quarterly on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 (each an “interest rate change date”), based on the 3-Month CME Term SOFR rate available for the day that is 15 days prior to the interest rate change date, rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent (0.125% or 0.00125), or 0%, whichever is greater. This may cause the monthly payments to increase, the number of payments to increase or both. If the 3-Month CME Term SOFR rate is less than zero percent, then the index will be deemed to be zero percent (as stated in the promissory note) for purposes of calculating your interest rate. Your variable interest rate (index + margin – applicable discounts) will not exceed 18%. Our lowest APRs are only available to applicants with the best credit. The APR will be determined after an application is submitted. It will be based on credit history, the selected repayment option and other factors, including a cosigner’s credit history (if applicable). If a student does not have an established credit history, the student may find it difficult to qualify for a private student loan on their own or receive the lowest advertised rate. Learn more about Discover Student Loans interest rates.

Borrow responsibly. 1. Maximize grants, scholarships, and other free financial aid. 2. Compare federal and private student loans. 3. Choose the loans that best fit your needs.