Types of Financial Aid
For additional information and resources visit Federal Student Aid at https://studentaid.gov/resources
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is funded by the Federal government. Pell Grants are usually awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. The Pell Grant does not need to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund).
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Must be in good academic standing
- Must be enrolled in an undergraduate course of study
Pell grant amounts are determined based on the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) and may change yearly. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2018-2019 award year (July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019) is $6095. The amount awarded will depend on:
- Financial need
- Cost of attendance
- Enrollment status (full time, half-time, etc.)
Students may only receive Federal Pell Grant funds from one school at a time during an academic period.
Federal law limits the amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over
his or her lifetime to be the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Since
the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal
to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant program administered directly by the financial aid office of participating schools. Students who will receive Federal Pell Grants and have the most financial need will receive FSEOG first. Like the Pell Grant, FSEOG does not need to be repaid.
FSEOG awards are made on a first come, first served basis to those who qualify based on fund availability.
Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) is a grant provided to students with financial need and is administered directly by the financial aid office of participating schools. TPEG awards are made on a first come, first served basis to those who qualify based on fund availability.
Eligibility Requirements for TPEG:
- Must be a Texas resident, non-resident or foreign student
- Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Department of Education
- Must register for Selective Service, unless exempt
Towards Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant
The Texas Grant, administered by the state of Texas, is a need-based grant provided to students who have completed either a Recommended or Distinguished Achievement high school program at an accredited Texas High School.
The state priority deadline for applying for the Texas Grant is March 15 of each year. Funding is limited and the program is subject to change by the Texas Legislature.
Eligibility Requirements for Texas Grant (Renewal Awards only):
- Must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.50
- Complete at least 24 semester credit hours per academic year
- Be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester of award and has not yet been granted a baccalaureate degree
- Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance
- Have a calculated financial need
Eligibility ends when one of the following has been met:
- 150 credit hours (90 credit hours if initially awarded based on an associate’s degree) have been paid for by the grant
- 5 years or 10 semesters (3 years or 6 semesters if initially awarded based on an associate’s degree) have passed since the initial award
- A baccalaureate degree has been granted
All students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) in order to receive an award. Students must self-identify by sending an email to Financial Aid at elp.financialaid@ttuhsc.edu . In the subject line of the email, please type Texas Grant. The email should include the following information:
- Student’s name
- Name of the institution where the student received the most recent Texas Grant award
- Term (Fall/Spring) in which the student received the award, or
- The month and date that an associate’s degree was earned (IY only)
Once the email is received, please allow at least 30 days for review of eligibility.
Awards
Target award amounts for Texas Grants:
- Award Per Academic Year: $5,000
- Award Per Semester: $2,500
Disbursements
Texas Grant disbursements are scheduled for Fall and Spring semesters only. The earliest that a disbursement may be requested by the University on behalf of the student for a Texas Grant award is September 1st of each year. After the request has been submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, it may take approximately 3-4 weeks for the funds to arrive.
Hardship Provision
A student who is ineligible for a TEXAS Grant award based on the general requirements may be deemed eligible under a TEXAS Grant Hardship Provision. There are restrictions on which eligibility requirements can be granted a hardship as funding is limited.
Hardship Conditions
Such hardship conditions may include, but are not limited to:
- A severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the student’s performance;
- An indication that the student is responsible for the care of the sick, injured or needy person and the provision of care is affecting the student’s performance;
- Enrolling below ¾ time to complete the student’s degree plan;
- Illness or death of family member
Students enrolled less than 6 Semester Credit Hours (SCH) cannot be considered for a hardship and are not eligible for a TEXAS Grant award.
Please visit the College for All Texans website for more information and a complete list of requirements.
Designated Tuition Aid
Senate Bill 1304, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, directs institutions of higher education to provide notices to students (Texas Education Code § 56.014, Notice to Students Regarding Tuition Set Aside for Financial Assistance) who pay designated tuition of the amount of the tuition that is set aside for financial assistance. Therefore, TUHSC EL Paso is required by law (Texas Education Code, §§ 56.011, 56.012, and 56.465) to set aside a percentage of a student’s tuition for financial assistance programs.
- Notifications are sent as part of the student ebills. Additionally notice information is available on the ebill welcome page and the Student Business Services website
- The set aside does not affect your financial aid awards nor does it guarantee that you will personally receive financial assistance. Financial assistance eligibility is determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Examples of the Financial Assistance programs funded from tuition set asides are:
- Need Based Grants
- Need Based Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is tuition set aside?
Tuition set aside is a portion of the tuition paid by resident students (those classified as citizens of the State of Texas), “set aside” and dedicated to provide need-based financial aid to students.
Why are these funds being set aside?
The university is required by law to set aside a portion of tuition charged to a resident student. See Texas Education Code §§ 56.011 and 56.012.
How much of my tuition is set aside?
Twenty percent (20%) per credit hour of designated tuition in excess of $46.00 per credit hour for an undergraduate resident and fifteen percent (15%) per credit hour of designated tuition in excess of $46.00 per credit hour for a graduate resident are set aside. See Texas Education Code §§ 56.011 and 56.012.
How much is designated tuition?
The designated tuition rate is subject to change. Check current resident tuition rates.
Am I being charged extra?
No, by state law, the University is required to put a portion of the designated tuition that stats resident pay into a fund to support financial aid to students. No additional amount is assessed to compensate for this set-aside.
How is this money used? Will I benefit from it?
Financial assistance provided by funds set aside includes grants, scholarships, work-study programs, student loans, and student loan repayment assistance. To be eligible for assistance, a student must establish financial need in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In order to be considered for need based aid, the student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Will this impact my financial aid?
No, tuition set-aside does not affect your aid nor does it guarantee that you will receive financial aid. Aid will be determined on a case by case basis and is based on your FAFSA and aid eligibility as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services.
What if I don’t want my money to be used this way?
Unfortunately, TTUHSC EL Paso does not have the ability to change the requirements of the state law. You may direct further questions and concerns to the Texas Legislature.
For more information regarding Grant programs, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services.
Each school offer various competitive academic scholarships. Information is available under the financial aid section of each school:
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers the following information ONLY as a tool to assist you in your search for financial aid. Results are not guaranteed.
The FinAid.org website provides some excellent information about how to protect yourself against Scholarship Scams. The rule of thumb is: If you have to pay money to get money, it's probably a scam.
| Scholarship Search Engines | |
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Resource Name |
Resource Type |
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scholarship search sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor |
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online scholarship search |
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free scholarship database |
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scholarship search sponsored by SOFI. |
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| Individual Outside Scholarships | |
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Resource Name |
Resource Type |
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Scholarships open to any post-secondary student; requires a written essay on a selected topic (see website) |
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Scholarships for dental hygienists |
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Character-based scholarship as demonstrated by answers to essay questions |
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Four different scholarships for medical students in various years |
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Service connected scholarship |
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Nursing scholarships available to nurses going back to school |
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For 3rd and 4th year dental students who have an established commitment to community service |
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A "non-discriminatory, educational scholarship program for the benefit of non-traditional students" |
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Various scholarships for Hispanic students with financial need |
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Scholarships for Hispanics in oral health careers |
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Scholarships and grants |
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Various scholarship opportunities for underrepresented minority medical school students |
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Provide grants for graduate study for new Americans |
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Pauletta and Denzel Washington Family Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience |
Scholarships for eligible undergraduate, graduate, and medical students pursuing training in the field of neuroscience |
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Scholarships for medical students |
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Several scholarships offered with differing qualifying criteria, including some for minority, disabled, and other students |
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monthly scholarship giveaway. |
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Dissertation fellowship program for research |
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Scholarships for qualifying third- and fourth-year medical students |
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The National Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship program for medical, nursing, dental, public health, and health policy students with outstanding academic records, leadership, and who are committed to serving Hispanics. See website for details and annual dateline. |
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Vietnamese American Medical Association of Greater Houston Scholarship |
Scholarship for Vietnamese-American medical students |
| Scholarship Tax Credit | |
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Tax credit for post-secondary education |
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Student loans are funds provided to undergraduate, graduate and/or professional students to help assist with educational expenses. Loans are considered self-help financial assistance and must be repaid.
For loan consideration, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The following loan programs are available to students based on program enrollment, dependency status and eligibility:
Federal Loans
- William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
- William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS Loan – Dependent
- William D. Ford Federal Graduate PLUS Loan – Graduate
FEDERAL LOANS
William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (Direct Subsidized)
The Direct Subsidized loan is an optional loan offered by the Department of Education. These loans are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Department of Education. Direct Subsidized Loans assist with educational expenses but may not exceed financial need. The student is responsible for repaying the loan.
The interest rate for Direct Subsidized loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018 and before July 1, 2019 is 5.05%. No interest is charged while a student is enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school, for the first six months after leaving school (referred to as a grace period*) and during deferment periods. Interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan.
*Students receiving a Direct Subsidized Loan that is first disbursed between July 1, 2012 and July 1, 2014, will be responsible for paying any interest that accrues during the grace period. Any unpaid interest that accrues during the grade period will be added to the principal balance.
150% Direct Subsidized Loan Limit
In July 2012, Congress enacted the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) [Public Law 112-141]. This law added a new stipulation to the Direct Loan statutory requirements which limits a first-time borrower’s eligibility for Direct Subsidized Loans to a period not to exceed 150% of the length of the borrower’s educational program.
Pursuant to this new provision under certain conditions, first-time borrowers who have exceeded the 150% limit will lose the interest subsidy on their Direct Subsidized Loans.
Only first-time borrowers on or after July 1, 2013 are subject to the new provision. A first-time borrower is generally defined as one who did not have an outstanding balance of principal or interest on a Direct or FFEL Program Loan on July 1, 2013.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (Direct Unsubsidized)
The Direct Unsubsidized loan is an optional loan offered by the Department of Education. These loans available to both undergraduate and graduate students and are not based on financial need as determined by the Department of Education. The student is responsible for repaying the loan.
Interest is charged during all periods; even during the time a student is enrolled at least-half time in an eligible school, during grace and deferment periods. The interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018 and before July 1, 2019 is as follows:
- Undergraduate 5.05%
- Graduate 6.60%
Interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan.
Eligibility requirements for the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan:
- Must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Must not be in default on any federal education loans or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant
To apply for the Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Accept the award offer on WebRaider
- Log on to the Studentloans.gov website using your FSA ID
- Select the appropriate “Borrower” tab (Undergraduate or Graduate/Professional)
- Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Complete Entrance Counseling
William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Parent PLUS) - Dependent Students
Parent PLUS loans are interest-bearing loans for the parents of dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at an eligible school. This loan assists with educational expenses up to the student’s cost of attendance minus all other assistance. The parent is responsible for repaying the loan.
The interest rate for the Parent PLUS loan first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018
and before July 1, 2019 is 7.60%. Interest is charged during all periods beginning
on the date of the loan’s first disbursement. Interest rates are fixed for the life
of the loan.
Additionally, applicants pay a loan origination fee which is a percentage of the principal
amount of each Parent PLUS Loan received.
Dependent students whose parent(s) have applied for but were unable to obtain a Parent PLUS loan are generally eligible to receive additional Direct Unsubsidized loan funds.
The Parent PLUS loan will be evenly disbursed over the terms of the student’s enrollment for the current award period unless otherwise indicated.
The Parent PLUS loan enters repayment once the loan is fully disbursed. Borrowers may contact the loan servicer to request a deferment for the following reasons:
While the borrower /borrower’s dependent is enrolled in school at least half-time
For an additional six months after the borrower’s dependent ceases to be enrolled in school at least half-time
Interest will accrue on the Parent PLUS loan during deferment. Borrowers may choose to pay the accrued interest or allow the interest to capitalize when the deferment period ends. The loan servicer will notify the borrower when the first loan payment is due.
Eligibility requirements for the Direct Parent PLUS Loan:
- The parent must be the student’s biological, adoptive or stepparent (if the parent has remarried at the time of application)
- The parent and dependent children must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens
- The dependent child must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program
- Parent PLUS loan borrowers cannot have adverse credit history. A credit report will be obtained by the Department of Education. Applicants who are found to have adverse credit history at the time of the credit check may still apply for a Parent PLUS loan with an approved endorser
- The parent must not be in default on any federal education loans or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant
To apply for the Parent PLUS Loan:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Parents should complete the Department of Education PLUS loan process as follows:
- Log in to Studentloans.gov using their FSA ID. When applying for the Parent PLUS Loan, parents should use their full legal as a credit report will be obtained to determine loan eligibility
- Select the Parent Borrower tab
- Click on “Apply for PLUS Loan” and follow the application instructions
- If approved, complete the PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- If you are approved with an endorser or through the appeal process, you must complete PLUS Loan Counseling
- If denied, the student may be eligible for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. To
apply for the Unsubsidized Loan, the student must submit to the Office of Student
Financial Services:
- A copy of the parent’s denial letter/email from the Department of Education
- A signed letter from the student requesting the additional unsubsidized aid.
The MPN and Counseling will be electronically transmitted to the school.
PLUS Loan awards will be accepted on behalf of the student/parent by the Office of Student Financial Services upon receipt of all completed documentation.
William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Graduate PLUS) - Graduate/Professional Students
Graduate PLUS loans are interest-bearing loans for graduate/professional students enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at an eligible school. This loan assists with educational expenses up to the student’s cost of attendance minus all other assistance. The student is responsible for repaying the loan.
The interest rate for Graduate PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018 and before July 1, 2019 is 7.60%. Interest is charged during all periods beginning on the date of the loan’s first disbursement. Interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan.
Additionally, borrowers pay a loan origination fee which is a percentage of the principal amount of each Graduate PLUS loan received.
The Graduate PLUS loan will be evenly disbursed over the terms of enrollment for the current award period unless otherwise indicated.
The Graduate PLUS loan enters repayment once the loan is fully disbursed. Borrowers may contact the loan servicer to request a deferment for the following reasons:
- While the borrower is enrolled in school at least half-time
- For an additional six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled in school at least half-time
Interest will accrue on the Graduate PLUS loan during deferment. Borrowers may choose to pay the accrued interest or allow the interest to capitalize when the deferment period ends. The loan servicer will notify the borrower when the first loan payment is due.
Eligibility requirements for the Graduate PLUS Loan:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Must be enrolled at least half-time in a graduate/professional degree-seeking program at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program
- Graduate PLUS loan borrowers cannot have adverse credit history. A credit report will be obtained by the Department of Education. Applicants who are found to have adverse credit history at the time of the credit check may still apply for a Graduate PLUS loan with an approved endorser
- Must not be in default on any federal education loans or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant
To apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Graduate/Professional PLUS loan applicants should complete the Department of Education
PLUS loan process as follows:
- Log in to Studentloans.gov using your FSA ID. When applying for the Graduate PLUS Loan, applicants should use their full legal name as a credit report will be obtained to determine loan eligibility.
- Select the Graduate/Professional Students tab
- Click on “Apply for a PLUS Loan” and follow the application instructions
- Complete the Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Complete PLUS Counseling
The MPN and Counseling will be electronically transmitted to the school.
PLUS loan awards will be accepted on the student’s behalf by the Office of Student Financial Services upon receipt of all completed documentation.
FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN FEES
Borrowers pay a loan origination fee on all Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and PLUS Loans. The loan fee will be proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement.
Federal Direct Loan Fees are as follows:
|
Loan Program |
Fees for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2017 and before October 1, 2018 |
Fees for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2018 and before October 1, 2019 |
|
Direct Stafford Loan (Subsidized & Unsubsidized) |
1.066% |
1.062% |
|
Direct PLUS Loan (Parent & Grad/Prof Student) |
4.264% |
4.248% |
FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN INTEREST RATES & FORMULA
Interest rates for Federal Direct Loans are set by Congress and are based upon formulas that use the equivalent rates of the 91-day Treasury bill plus a statutory add-on percentage. The calculated rate is capped by a maximum interest rate.
The chart below provides the interest rates for Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and PLUS loans:
|
Fixed Rate Direct Loans |
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Borrower |
Loan Program |
Loans first disbursed on or after 7/1/17 and before 7/1/18 |
Loans first disbursed on or after 7/1/18 and before 7/1/19 |
|
Undergraduate Students |
Subsidized & Unsubsidized |
4.45% |
5.05% |
|
Graduate or Professional Students* |
Unsubsidized |
6.00% |
6.60% |
|
Parents and Graduate or Professional Students |
PLUS Loan |
7.00% |
7.60% |
*Pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011: Graduate and professional students are not eligible to receive Direct Subsidized Loans for loan periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012
The amount of interest that accumulates on your loan from month to month is determined by a simple daily interest formula. This formula consists of multiplying your loan balance by the number of days since the last payment times the interest rate factor.
FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN LIMITS
The school uses information from the student’s FAFSA to determine the type of loan(s) and actual loan amount a student qualifies for based on a student’s financial need, dependency status and grade level. There are limits on the amount of Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans a student may be eligible to receive each academic year (annual loan limits) and the total amounts a student may borrow for both undergraduate and graduate study (aggregate loan limits).
The following chart outlines the annual and aggregate limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans:
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Direct Stafford Loan Limits |
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Undergraduate Students |
Graduate Students |
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Dependent¹ |
Independent² |
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1st Year Annual Limit |
$5,500 ($3,500)³ |
$9,500 ($3,500) |
$20,500 ($8,500)4 for each year |
|
2nd Year Annual Limit |
$6,500 ($4,500) |
$10,500 ($4,500) |
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3rd Year Annual Limit |
$7,500 ($5,500) |
$12,500 ($5,500) |
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Aggregate |
$31,000 ($23,000) |
$57,500 ($23,000) |
$138,5005 ($65,500) |
1Except those whose parents are unable to borrow a PLUS loan
2These limits also apply to dependent students whose parents are unable to borrow a
PLUS loan
3The numbers in parentheses represent the maximum amount that may be subsidized
4Graduate and professional students are not eligible to receive Direct Subsidized Loans
for loan periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012
5The aggregate amounts for graduate students include loans for undergraduate study. The
aggregate limits include both Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and any subsidized
and unsubsidized Stafford Loans received through the Federal Family Education Loan
(FFEL) Program.
Graduate and professional students enrolled in certain health profession programs may qualify for additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan amounts each academic year. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for more information about annual and aggregate limits for health profession students.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN OMBUDSMAN
While students are encouraged to resolve disagreements regarding federal student loan issues with the loan servicer, there are some instances when a neutral third party is necessary to seek a fair and equitable solution. In such cases, students may contact the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group to help resolve disputes and mediate federal loan program related conflicts.
| Online | Phone | Fax | |
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1 (877) 557-2575 |
(606) 396-4821 |
FSA Ombudsman Group P.O. Box 1843 Monticello, KY 42633 |