What type of student loan does Amanda have if it has a variable interest rate co-signed by her mother?

Amanda has a private student loan, which is indicated by having a variable interest rate and being co-signed by her mother. Private student loans are typically offered by banks or financial institutions and often have variable interest rates, which can fluctuate based on market conditions. The need for a co-signer is common with private loans, especially for students who do not have established credit histories or sufficient income to qualify on their own.

In contrast, federal student loans usually have fixed interest rates and do not require a co-signer. Subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans are both categories of federal student loans. Subsidized loans are need-based, where the government pays the interest while the student is in school, while unsubsidized loans accrue interest from the time they are disbursed. None of these federal options would typically involve a co-signer or variable interest rates, reinforcing that Amanda's loan is indeed a private one.