But the site did not mention the federal Stafford loans, with their top rate of 6.8 percent, he said.

Stafford loans taken out on or after July 1, 1998, for example, would have a rate of 4.125 percent when consolidated.

The subsidized Stafford loans are also open to middle income families.

Stafford loans obtained before July 1, 1998, will likely be consolidated at rates of about 5 percent or less.

Under current law, the interest rate on federal Stafford loans, taken out by students, will rise to 6.8 percent from 5.3 percent.

The Stafford loans do not require repayment of principal while the student is still in school.

And this school year's fixed rate for federal Stafford Loans is now more than 6.5 percent.

And they can borrow a lot more with a Stafford loan than undergraduates can, up to $18,500.

The law did not affect new unsubsidized Stafford loans.

For students, the most widely used plan is the low-interest, federal Stafford Loan program.