Stafford Loans

Students must complete the FAFSA to obtain a Federal Student Loan. You may borrow up to the maximum Stafford amount available for your grade level. If you demonstrate need, a portion of your Stafford Loan will be subsidized. The Federal government pays interest on Subsidized Stafford loans while you are enrolled in school at least half time, and for a six-month grace period after you leave school. After your eligibility for subsidized loans is determined, the balance of your eligibility will be in the unsubsidized program. You will be responsible for all interest that accrues on your unsubsidized loan from the date of disbursement. In order to be eligible for Stafford loans, you must be enrolled in school at least half time.

Undergraduate

Graduate

Interest Rates

Loan Deferments

Under the Federal Loan Program, you can defer (postpone) repayment if you are:

• Enrolled in school at least half time
• A graduate fellow
• Participating in a rehabilitation program for the disabled
• Unemployed or suffering from economic hardship

Interest on subsidized Stafford Loans is paid by the Federal government during authorized deferment periods, but interest on unsubsidized Stafford loans will accrue.

Federal Regulations

• You are under no obligation to accept funds simply because they have been included in your award letter.
• If you have defaulted on a previous loan, you will not be eligible.
• You must be enrolled in a school at least half time to be eligible.
• First time Stafford borrowers are required to participate in Entrance Interview counseling before receiving their loan.

Estimate Monthly Loan Payments

• View the Cost Calculator.

Repayment Plans

There are various repayment plans. You can select a repayment plan at the time you leave (exit) school. You will need to figure out which is the best for you.

• Standard Repayment – under this pan you will pay a fixed monthly amount for a loan term of up to 10 years. Depending on the amount of the loan, your loan term may be shorter than 10 years. This plan has a minimum monthly payment of $50 + interest.
• Extended Repayment -this plan is similar to the Standard plan, however it allows for a loan term of 12-30 years, depending on the total amount borrowed. Stretching out the loan term reduced the size of each payment, but it increases the total amount repaid over the lifetime of the loan.
• Graduated Repayment – This plan starts off with lower payments, which gradually increase every two years. The loan term is 12 to 30 years, depending on the total amount borrowed. The monthly payment must be at least the interest that accrues and must also be at least $25. The monthly payment can be no less that 50% and no more than 150% of the monthly payment of the standard repayment plan.
• Income Contingent Repayment – Payments are based on the borrower’s income and the total amount of debt. Monthly payments are adjusted each year as the borrower’s income changes. The loan term is up to 25 years. At the end of 25 years, any remaining balance on the loan will be discharged. The write-off of the remaining balance at the end of 25 years is taxable. The minimum monthly payment is $5.
• Income based repayment – similar to the income contingent plan but this plan caps the monthly payments at a lower percentage of a narrower definition of discretionary income.

Students who have borrowed prior loans in the FFELP Program (Federal Family Loan Program) have the option to consolidate all of their Federal Student Loans with the Federal Direct Loan Program.