Private vs. Federal Loan Cost Estimator
This tool is meant to provide a rough estimate, and is not financial advice.
Compare a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan against a Juno Negotiated Deal (or other private loan) using your numbers.
Update the inputs below to see your estimated savings.
Inputs
How much can I borrow in federal loans?
Standard federal loan maximums for graduate students are $20,500. Degrees designated as "Professional" can borrow up to $50,000.
For students beginning graduate programs after July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS loans are no longer available, so any costs above your federal limit will need to be covered another way, such as with a Juno Negotiated Deal or other private loan. Read more here
Results (Optimal Loan Breakdown)
Estimated amount saved
Monthly Payment Comparison
Total Cost Comparison
Comparison
| Direct Unsubsidized Loan | Juno Negotiated Deal or other Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Amount | ||
| Interest Rate** | ||
| Origination Fee (percent) | ||
| Origination Fee (dollars) | ||
| Starting Principal | ||
| Deferment Period | months | months |
| Interest during Deferment | ||
| Principal after Deferment | ||
| Loan Term | months | months |
| Monthly Payment | ||
| Total Payments | ||
| Total Cost |
*This calculator is for informational purposes only.
**The interest rate for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans was set in May 2026.
***This number represents the average loan rate Juno members received in 2025.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Interest rates are not guaranteed and subject to change without notice. The results of this calculator are estimates and may not reflect the actual cost of a loan.
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