Student Financial Services

Federal Loans

Federal loans refer to financial aid programs offered by the United States Department of Education to help students and their families cover the costs of higher education.

Federal Loan Programs

Federal Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans

The Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded based on financial need and is available to Undergraduate Students only. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on financial need and is available to Undergraduate and Graduate/Professional Students.

Federal Direct Parent or Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans

The Direct PLUS Loan is available to Parents of Undergraduate Students. The Direct Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan is available to Graduate/Professional Students. Borrowers must be credit-worthy U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Loan Amounts

Dependent Undergraduate

  • $5,500 (max $3,500 Subsidized)

Independent Undergraduate

(or Dep. Undergrad if parent is denied a PLUS Loan)

  • $9,500 (max $3,500 Subsidized)

Graduate & Professional Students

  • Up to $20,500 each academic year
  • Up to $33,000 each year if enrolled in Master of Public Health Program

Dependent Undergraduate

  • $6,500 (max $4,500 Subsidized)

Independent Undergraduate

(or Dep. Undergrad if parent is denied a PLUS Loan)

  • $10,500 (max $4,500 Subsidized)

Graduate & Professional Students

  • Up to $20,500 each academic year
  • Up to $33,000 each year if enrolled in Master of Public Health Program

Dependent Undergraduate

  • $7,500 (max $5,500 Subsidized)

Independent Undergraduate

(or Dep. Undergrad if parent is denied a PLUS Loan)

  • $12,500 (max $5,500 Subsidized)

Graduate & Professional Students

  • Up to $20,500 each academic year
  • Up to $33,000 each year if enrolled in Master of Public Health Program
  • The maximum loan amount may not exceed the cost of education, minus other estimated financial assistance.

Interest Rates

Interest rates on Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loans are set annually in June. The rate will be the sum of the high-yield of the 10-year Treasury Note plus an "add on". The interest rate, once established, will apply for the life of the loan.  Each loan program has a cap, with the interest rate not to exceed: Undergraduate Subsidized or Unsubsidized cap 8.25%, Graduate Unsubsidized cap 9.5%, PLUS cap 10.5%.

Subsidized & Unsubsidized

  • Loan First Disbursed between 7/1/24-6/30/25
    • 6.53%
  • Loan First Disbursed between 7/1/23 - 6/30/24
    • 5.49%

Unsubsidized

  • Loan First Disbursed between 7/1/24-6/30/25
    • 8.08%
  • Loan First Disbursed between 7/1/23 - 6/30/24
    • 7.05%

Plus

  • Loan First Disbursed between 7/1/24-6/30/25
    • 9.08%
  • Loan First Disbursed between 7/1/23 - 6/30/24
    • 8.05%

Interest Accrual

During School

  • Paid by the federal government

During Grace Period

  • Paid by the federal government (Except on loans first disbursed 7/1/12 - 6/30/13)

Paid by the borrower: May choose to make quarterly interest payments, or may choose to defer the interest. Unpaid interest will be capitalized and when the loan enters repayment. When unpaid interest is capitalized, it increases the total cost of the loan.

Paid by the borrower: May choose to make quarterly interest payments, or may choose to defer the interest. Unpaid interest will be capitalized and when the loan enters repayment. When unpaid interest is capitalized, it increases the total cost of the loan.

Interest does not accrue during school or grace. Interest begins to accrue at repayment.

Origination Fees

The loan fee/origination fee is subtracted proportionately from each loan disbursement.

  • Loans First Disbursed 10/1/24 - 9/30/25
    • 1.057%
  • Loans First Disbursed 10/1/23 - 9/30/24
    • 1.057%
  • Loans First Disbursed 10/1/24 - 9/30/25
    • 4.228%
  • Loans First Disbursed 10/1/23 - 9/30/24
    • 4.228%

Grace Period

Payments are not required during the grace period. There is no penalty if a borrower chooses to make payments during the grace period.

6 months.

Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Borrowers can defer repayment during while the student is enrolled at least half-time & for 6 months after enrollment drops below half-time.

9 months.

Loan Repayment

Repayment begins immediately after the end of the Grace Period.

Learn more about repaying your loans