The Portland Press HeraldĀ spoke with Gianna Marrs, director of financial aid for the University of Maine, about the recent increase in interest rates of federally subsidized Stafford loans. Marrs said her office plans to notify students about the rate change and that many students already have accepted unsubsidized loans with the 6.8 percent interest rate. read more Marrs Speaks to Press Herald About Rise in Student Loan Interest Rates