Students who are US citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States can be considered for institutional needs-based grants and loans and other types of federal student loans. International students may apply for private education loans provided they have a qualified US Citizen or Permanent Resident act as an endorser.

Although students are considered independent from their parents by federal definition, certain types of federal and needs-based institutional grant and loan programs require parental financial information in order to determine eligibility.

Federal Student Loan Programs

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

This loan is not a needs-based loan. Please note that graduate and professional students can no longer apply for the subsidized (needs-based) portion of Federal Direct Loan amounts for a loan disbursed on or after 7/1/2012.

  • Maximum Loan Amount: $47,167
  • Maximum loan amount prorated based on length of student’s academic year:
    • DMD:
      • Year One: $47,167
      • Year Two: $47,167
      • Year Three: $47,167
      • Year Four: $40,500
    • Post-graduate: $20,500
  • Interest Rate: 6.2% Fixed

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan Program

Grad PLUS is a non-needs based loan however the borrower must maximize their annual Federal Direct Loan eligibility before applying for Grad PLUS.

  • Maximum Loan Amount: equal to the student’s annual cost of attendance less other financial aid.
  • Interest Rate: 7.2% Fixed

Grad PLUS loans accrue interest while student is enrolled in school and during any eligible deferment period. Students enter immediate repayment upon graduation, withdrawal, or dropping to less than half time status. Students can request an economic hardship deferment or forbearance should they be unable to make payments when payments are due.

Deferment available for students enrolled at least half- time or if the borrower is participating in a graduate fellowship program, considered on active duty in the US Armed Forces. Borrower may qualify for other types of loan deferment.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS loans are credit-based loans borrowed directly from the federal government as opposed to private lenders.