The Department of Education has published the variable interest rates applicable to the Federal Stafford, Federal SLS, Federal PLUS, and Federal Consolidation Loan programs for the period July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. Interest rates for variable-rate loans under these programs are determined annually, and are based on the following:
- Stafford Loans – Based on the 13-week Treasury Bill (T-Bill) interest rate auction held before June 1. The 13-week T-Bill auctioned on May 26, 2026, is 3.68%.
- PLUS/SLS Loans – Based on either the 13-week T-Bill interest rate auction held before June 1, or the weekly average of the one-year constant maturity Treasury yield as published for the last calendar week ending on or before June 26 of each year. The 13-week T-Bill auctioned on May 26, 2026, is 3.68%. Note: The weekly average of the one-year constant maturity Treasury yield for the last calendar week ending on or before June 26 will not be available until the end of June, at which time this memo will be updated and reissued.
- Consolidation Loans – Loan applications received on or after Nov.13, 1997, but prior to Oct. 1, 1998, are based on the 13-week T-Bill interest rate auction held before June 1. The 13-week T-Bill auctioned on May 26, 2026, is 3.68%. For the Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) portion of consolidation loans received on or after Nov. 13, 1997, the rate is based on the average of the 13-week T-Bills auctioned for the quarter ending June 30. Note: The average 13-week T-Bills auctioned for the quarter ending June 30 will not be available until the end of June, at which time this memo will be updated and reissued.
These rates do not affect Federal Stafford or Federal PLUS loans made on or after July 1, 2006, that are subject to fixed rates.