Prospective Students : Financial Aid - Federal Loans
Federal Student Loans
Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and
parents to help pay for the cost of a student's education after high
school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education (the Department)
rather than a bank or other financial institution.
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
This is a long-term, low interest loan designed to provide additional
funds for post-secondary education. For the Direct Subsidized Loan the
government pays the interest while you are in school at least part-time
and during the grace period.
For the Direct Unsubsidized Loan the interest is the
responsibility of the student while in school, during the grace period,
and during repayment. The interest may be postponed while in school at
least part-time. If the interest is postponed it will be capitalized
(added to the principal) only once, at repayment.
*Effective 7/1/12 (The Budget Control Act of 2011 is passed by Congress with provisions related to student financial aid):
The subsidy component in the Federal Subsidized Stafford loan is eliminated for graduate students for loan periods starting on or after 7/1/12. Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans with loan periods starting prior to July 1, 2012, will retain their interest subsidy. This Act applies only to new graduate loans issued after July 1, 2012. The total amount graduate students may borrow under the Federal Stafford Loan program remains at $33,000/9 months or $44,000/12 months (all monies will be unsubsidized).
Detailed information on loan limits, fees, eligibility and repayment terms
Credit Based Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
The Federal Graduate PLUS loan is a credit based loan
available to graduate and professional students.
Credit Requirements: This loan is based on being credit-ready - your income, debt, credit score and assets are not factors for approval; however, negative credits items are grounds for denial (tax lien, charge off, delinquent accounts, etc.). An option is available to obtain a co-signer if the loan is denied.
Detailed information on loan limits, fees, eligibility and repayment terms