Loans
Low-interest loans can help you pay your college tuition now and defer repayment until after you graduate or are no longer a college student. Educational loans are available for both you and your parents. Student accounts are credited with loan funds once the required promissory notes and other application steps are completed.
- Eligibility is granted to students who complete the FAFSA
- Loan amounts range from $5,500 to $7,500 for dependent students and total $12,500 for independent students. Actual amounts will be shown on each student's financial aid notification.
- Subsidized loans are based on financial need; while you are in college, the government pays the interest on your loan. Unsubsidized loans are available to students who don't show financial need; students with unsubsidized loans are responsible for loan interest payments while in college or may choose to defer payment until after graduation.
- Undergraduate subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loan interest rate: 5.5% for 2023–24 and 6.53% for 2024–25; the origination fee is 1.057%
- Graduate unsubsidized Direct Loan interest rate: 7.05% for 2023–24 and 8.08% for 2024–25; the origination fee is 4.228%
- Repayment starts 6 months after graduation or your student status drops below half time
- Repayment timeline: between 10 and 25 years
- Learn more about the Federal Direct Loan Program
Maximum loan limits for direct loans
| Year | Dependent students | Independent students | Subsidized maximum |
| Freshman (0-23 credits) | $5,500 | $9,500 | $3,500 |
| Sophomore (24-54 credits) | $6,500 | $10,500 | $4,500 |
| Junior and above (55+ credits) | $7,500 | $12,500 | $5,500 |
- Includes Grad PLUS Loan for eligible graduate or professional students, and Parent PLUS Loan for parents of dependent undergraduate students
- Applicants need to complete the FAFSA
- Parents/guardians or graduate students may apply for funds to apply toward educational expenses
- Interest rate: 8.05% for 2023–24 and 9.08% for 2024–25; origination fee: 4.228%
- Repayment starts within 60 days of the final disbursement for the current year; payments may be postponed until 6 mos. after the student has graduated or is no longer at least a half-time student
- Repayment timeline: 10 years
- Learn more about the Federal PLUS Loan program
- Students apply through a bank or lending agency
- Interest rates vary based on creditworthiness
- Cosigners are required
- Repayment terms vary based on the bank or lending agency
- Learn more about supplemental private loans
