Loan Programs (Direct Loans)

  • What types of Stafford loans are available?

    There are two types of Stafford Loans. Subsidized and unsubsidized. As a student loan borrower you may be eligible for one type or a combination of both subsidized and unsubsidized. Effective July 1, 2012, graduate students are no longer eligible to receive subsidized Stafford loans.
  • What is a subsidized Stafford Loan?

    A Federal Subsidized Student Loan is an educational loan provided by the federal government. To be eligible for a Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, you must complete the FAFSA. The Federal Subsidized Student Loan is a need-based student loan program designed to assist students with educational expenses while attending at least half time in an eligible program of study. You do not have to pay interest on a Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan while you are enrolled at least half time in school. The interest is also paid during the six-month grace period after you stop attending school. The grace period begins the day your enrollment drops below half-time status. However, please note that effective July 1, 2012, two important changes will impact subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans: Effective July 1, 2012, graduate students will no longer be eligible for these loans. For subsidized loans borrowed after July 1, 2012, there will be no interest-free grace period after you stop attending school half time.
  • What is the difference between a subsidized and an unsubsidized loan?

    Both subsidized and unsubsidized student loans are loans from the federal government for students pursing higher education. If you receive a subsidized Direct student loan (sometimes referred to as a Direct Stafford Loan) you do not have to pay the interest while you are in school, during grace (for loans originated prior to July 1, 2012) or during approved deferment periods. During these periods, the government pays the interest for you on your subsidized loan. Please note that subsidized loans originated after July 1, 2012 will no longer have an interest free grace period following graduation or dropping below half time status. With an unsubsidized loan your interest will begin to accrue immediately upon disbursement of your loan. You have the option of making interest payments while you are in school or waiting until after your grace period. If you wait to pay your interest until after your grace period all accrued interest will be capitalized. This will increase the balance of your loan. If you have the extra money while in school, it is a good idea to make your interest payments.
  • What is the interest rate on a Stafford Loan?

    The interest rate on Subsidized Stafford loans for undergraduate students disbursed between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 is 3.4%. The interest rate on subsidized Direct Stafford loans for undergraduates disbursed between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 is 6.8%. The interest rate on Unsubsidized Stafford loans is fixed at 6.8%. If you currently have a Stafford loan, and would like to check on the interest rate, servicer information, and other financial aid history, go to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS): www.nslds.ed.gov
  • What are my Stafford loan limits?

    As a dependent undergraduate student you may be eligible for up to the following annual loan amounts depending on your FAFSA results and your financial aid package: *As a Freshman, you are eligible for up to $5,500. No more than $3,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans. *As a Sophomore you are eligible for up to $6,500. No more than $4,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans. *As a Junior and Senior you are eligible for up to $7,500 per academic year. No more than $5,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans. As an independent undergraduate student or a dependent student whose parents have applied for but were unable to get a PLUS Loan (a parent loan), you are eligible for up to the following: *As a Freshman you are eligible for up to $9,500 with no more than $3,500 being a subsidized loan. *As a Sophomore you are eligible for up to $10,500 with no more than $4,500 being a subsidized loan *As a Junior and Senior you are eligible for up to $12,500 per academic year with no more than $5,500 being a subsidized loan. Currently, as a graduate or professional student you are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 per academic year with no more than $8,500 being a subsidized loan. Beginning July 1, 2012 graduate and professional students will no longer be eligible for subsidized Direct Stafford loans. The yearly maximum you will be eligible to borrow under the unsubsidized Direct Stafford loan program will remain at $20,500 per academic year.
  • Is a credit check required to receive a Stafford Loan?

    No. A credit check is not required to receive a Stafford Loan.
  • What is a PLUS Loan?

    The PLUS Loan is an educational loan provided by the Federal Government to parents of dependent students. The PLUS Loan is designed to help students who have financial need to pay for educational expenses while attending college. To be eligible for a PLUS Loan, parents must pass a credit check and must be either: a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen. In addition, students must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program of study. The interest rate on the PLUS Loan is fixed at 7.9%. The maximum amount parents may borrow in a PLUS Loan is the difference between the Cost of Attendance and the amount their child receives in financial aid. So, for example, if the Cost of Attendance is $8,000, and the student receives $4,000 in financial aid, the parent may borrow up to $4,000 in a PLUS Loan. If you have additional questions about PLUS Loans, contact the financial aid office.