Federal Direct Loans for Undergraduate Students

²ÊÃñ±¦µä participates in the Federal William D. Ford Direct Loan program (known as Direct or Stafford Loans). The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. There are two types of Federal Direct Loans available for undergraduate students:

  • Subsidized loans are need-based and do not have interest accruing while you are in school or in deferment.
  • Unsubsidized loans may or may not be based on financial need and interest accrues while you are in school or in deferment.

Loan Features

  • Loan origination fee for both loans is 1.057%.
  • Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate, drop below half time, or withdraw. Learn more about managing repayment of your student loans.
  • Subsidized loans have a time-in-college loan limit.
  • Students graduating in December will have their Direct Loans prorated for fall. View prorated loan amounts below Undergraduate Students Who Are Graduating.
  • Loans must be processed by our office by the last day the student is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. 

Fixed Interest Rates

Date of First DisbursementSubsidizedUnsubsidized
7/1/24 to 6/30/256.53%6.53%
7/1/23 to 6/30/245.49%5.49%
7/1/22 to 6/30/234.99%4.99%

Loan Limits

 Annual loan limit
First-Year Students$5,500
(Maximum of $3,500 can be subsidized)
Sophomore$6,500
(Maximum of $4,500 can be subsidized)
Junior or Senior$7,500
(Maximum of $5,500 can be subsidized)
 Annual loan limit
Independent First-Year Students$9,500
(Maximum of $3,500 can be subsidized)
Independent Sophomore$10,500
(Maximum of $4,500 can be subsidized)
Independent Junior or Senior$12,500
(Maximum of $5,500 can be subsidized)
Graduate or Professional$20,500
Lifetime Loan Limits
Dependent Undergraduate$31,000
(up to $23,000 may be subsidized)
Independent Undergraduate$57,500
(up to $23,000 may be subsidized)
Graduate or Professional$138,500
(up to $65,500 may be subsidized)

How to Apply

  1. Complete
  2. Accept the loan online (view instructions)
  3. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling online at

Note: Loans must be processed by our office by the last day the student is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.

  1. Complete
  2. Accept the loan online (view instructions)

Note: Loans must be processed by our office by the last day the student is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.