Federal student loans are made available to students attending college on at least a half-time basis through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is the lender. All programs at University of Fairfax are approved to participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program. Within this program, there are two types of federal student loans – direct subsidized loans and direct unsubsidized loans. A student may qualify for one or both depending on the student’s need and other factors. In general, the federal government pays interest on Direct Subsidized Loans while attending school at least half-time, for the first six months after leaving school (referred to as a grace period) and during a period of deferment. However, this benefit does not apply to all borrowers. See the Financial Aid Office or go to <a href=”http://www.studentaid.gov/”>www.studentaid.gov</a> to determine whether, and under what circumstances, the interest subsidy benefit applies to you.  Students with Direct Unsubsidized Loans are charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. The maximum amount of federal student loans that can be borrowed depends if the student is an undergraduate, a graduate or professional student or parent.  An undergraduate student can borrow each academic year in Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loan in the range from $5,500 to $12,500, depending on the year in school and dependency status. A graduate or professional student can borrow up to $20,500 each academic year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans.   Graduate students are ineligible for Direct Subsidized Loans but may borrow through the Direct Unsubsidized Loan program.

If the student is a first-time borrower on or after July 1, 2013, some students’ Direct Subsidized Loan eligibility is limited to a time period equal to 150% of the length of their program. This is called the “maximum eligibility period” .  The maximum eligibility period is based on the published length of the program of study.  This means that the maximum eligibility period can change if the program of study changes.  The published length of each program can be found within the academic section of the catalog.

Please go to https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized for more information regarding annual and aggregate loan limits and other financial aid information. Interest rates, fees, and loan limits are subject to legislative changes that may affect continuing eligibility. After a student graduates, leaves school or enrollment status goes below half-time the grace period will begin. During this period, repayment information will be sent to the student by the loan servicer. Payments are usually due monthly and will be discussed with the student and the loan servicer when determining the repayment arrangements. The loan servicer will provide the options available to repay the federal student loan.

Students may complete and submit the application for federal student aid, complete entrance counseling and sign the master promissory note at https://studentaid.gov. Note that Federal Stafford Loan information is submitted to the National Student Loan Data System, and information about the loans is accessible there to certain guaranty agencies, eligible servicers and eligible institutions of higher education.

All academic programs offered at the institution meet the Federal institutional eligibility requirements. Graduate students and parents of undergraduate dependent students are eligible to apply through the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program. Such loans are available for students attending the University on at least a half-time basis through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program. The Department of Education is the lender of this loan program. These Direct PLUS loans enable borrowers to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial assistance received. The cost of attendance is determined by the University. Eligibility is determined, in part, upon the credit history of the borrower. A credit check is performed during the application process. Students and parents may complete and submit the application for federal student aid, complete entrance counseling and sign the master promissory note at https://studentaid.gov

Students and parents can request a deferment of loan repayment while the student is enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. If a deferment is not requested, payments will begin after the loan is fully disbursed (paid out). Repayment is made in monthly installments until the loan is paid in full.

Interest rates, fees, and loan limits are subject to legislative changes that may affect continuing eligibility. Additional information is available at www.studentaid.gov. Graduate students must complete entrance counseling prior to the receipt of a loan disbursement. Parent borrowers in certain, limited situations may have to complete entrance counseling as well. You may contact your Financial Aid Office for more information.

The Department of Education website, provides more information regarding annual and aggregate loan limits.

“Note that Direct PLUS Loan information is submitted to the National Student Loan Data System, and information about the loans is accessible there to certain guaranty agencies, eligible servicers and eligible institutions of higher education.”

As a parent, you may be eligible to qualify for the Federal Plus Loan (the parent loan for undergraduate students) if you have a dependent child in school. Parents may apply for this loan after their dependent has received a student financial plan, so they know the recommended amount to borrow. The maximum amount a parent may borrow is the cost of your education minus any aid that you are receiving.

If interested in applying, please visit:www.studentloans.gov

Similar to the Parent PLUS loan, graduate students may be eligible for the Grad PLUS loan. Graduate students may apply for this loan after they have used all their Federal Direct unsubsidized loan eligibility. Students may borrow up to the cost of education minus any other financial aid.

These loans are made available to students attending college on at least a half-time basis through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Within these programs there are two types of loans: subsidized loans (those subsidized by the federal government) and unsubsidized loans. A student may qualify for one or both, depending upon eligibility. Repayment is made in installments, generally beginning six months after a student leaves school or from the point his or her enrollment status falls below half-time. The federal government pays interest on the subsidized loan until repayment begins and during authorized periods of deferment. Students with unsubsidized loans are charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid back in full.