Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

A Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to students regardless of financial need and does not require a credit check. The student is responsible for paying any interest that accrues.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a graduate or professional student
• Be enrolled in at least half-time per semester (5 credits or more)
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Have a completed FAFSA on file for the current aid year
• Be in good loan standing (not in default)

Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Starting with the 2026-27 academic year, all incoming graduate students will be subject to the new federal lending policies under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program has been discontinued for students entering their programs after June 30, 2026. Graduate students should now plan to use Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans or private financing to cover their remaining cost of attendance.

If you’re a current student, you’ll continue to have the same loan options as long as you borrow any type of Federal Direct Loan for your current degree at UNLV prior to July 1, 2026. 

In federal policy, “grandfathering” and “legacy provisions” essentially mean the same thing: If you started your education under the old financial rules, you are permitted to finish under them.

Legacy Provisions: Allow current students to temporarily continue to borrow under the prior federal loan rules and loan limits. Legacy eligibility is determined by federal law and is automatically applied if a student qualifies. It cannot be waived or declined.

Legacy status does not last forever. The OBBBA creates temporary interim exceptions — essentially a transition window — to give current students a fair amount of time to complete their degrees before the new rules apply to everyone. For more information about legacy provisions, please visit Federal Loans for Graduate Students

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time (at least 5 credits)
• Meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid, including eligibility requirements for legacy provisions
• Be in good loan standing (not in default)
• A credit check will be performed during the application process.
  • Students who have adverse credit history may still receive a Grad PLUS loan through one of these two options:
    • Obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Grad PLUS loan if you do not repay it.
    • Providing the U.S. Department of Education documentation that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history.
  • With either loan option 1 or option 2, a student must complete credit counseling for PLUS loan borrowers.
  • Credit checks are valid for 180 days from the approval date. If an endorser was used and a change in the loan amount is needed to increase the loan, a new credit check will be required.