6
QuizMultiple Choice

Student Loans

Question 6 • 2025-2026 GSP Mathematical Reasoning for Decision Making

Jessica took out a Stafford loan worth $7,175 at the beginning of her six-year college career. The loan has a duration of ten years and an interest rate of 6.3%, compounded monthly. How much greater will Jessica’s monthly payment be if the loan is unsubsidized than if the loan is subsidized? Round all dollar values to the nearest cent.

Answer
A
$36.98
B
$23.07
C
$37.67
D
$166.37

Explanation

During the six years in college, an unsubsidized loan accrues interest for 72 months, while a subsidized loan does not. At 6.3% compounded monthly, the unsubsidized balance grows to about $10,468.79, so the extra amount owed is about $3,293.79. Repaying that difference over 120 months at a monthly rate of 0.063 ÷ 12 gives about $36.98 more per month, matching choice A, $36.98.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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