Student eligibility for other financial aid is not affected by the acceptance of offered student loans. However, loan amounts can be adjusted for any new aid added to the student's package, i.e., outside/private scholarships.
The Master Promissory Note is an online process at . After the loans are accepted by students online through CheckMarq and the loans have originated, students are sent a letter letting them know that the MPN is ready for their signature.
The MPN process has 11 steps and requires the student borrower's to complete. The signed MPN is valid for 10 years. Borrowers need only sign it once during this time period. A PLUS borrower may be required to sign subsequent promissory notes if they were required to provide an endorser previously.
Federal Direct Subsidized loan interest is paid by the federal government while the student is enrolled in school* at least half-time, during the grace period and during approved loan deferment periods.
*Interest Subsidy Limitations:
Interest subsidy during the six-month grace period is eliminated for new Federal Direct Loans made on or after July 1, 2012, and before July 1, 2014. The repayment period still begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time, but interest that accrues during those six months will be payable by the student rather than be subsidized by the federal government.
More information:
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan and PLUS loan interest is charged to the borrower for the life of the loan. Borrowers have the option to pay the interest while they are in school or allow the interest to accrue. If you choose to defer interest payments, the loan interest will continue to grow until added to the loan principal (capitalized), one time at the time of repayment.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for federal loans. When enrolled less than half-time, the student loan will not disburse and previously borrowed loans will enter their grace period. Students must maintain at least half-time enrollment in order to retain eligibility for in-school loan deferments (postponed repayment of loans).
The definition of half-time may vary from school to school. The following outlines the minimum number of credits required at ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵto be considered half-time each semester, including summer:
- Undergraduate: Six credits
- Law/Dental/PA/PT: Six credits
- Graduate: Four credits
Students wishing to withdraw from ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵmust initiate the official withdrawal process through their college. The withdrawal form given to the student must be signed by an Office of Student Financial Aid representative. This provides an opportunity for the student to receive exit counseling information, including repayment and loan consolidation information.
A borrower is obligated to repay the full amount of the loan regardless of whether the borrower completes the program of study in which he or she is enrolled within the regular time of completion.
For students graduating in 2019-20, the average debt for Federal Direct Subsidized and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans among borrowers is:
Student Career |
Average Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Debt |
Average Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Debt |
Undergraduate |
Debt: $13,672 Avg. payment*: $143 |
Debt: $11,064 Avg. payment*: $115 |
Graduate |
Debt: $14,060 Avg. payment***: $161 |
Debt: $39,385 Avg. payment**: $437 |
Dental |
Debt: $9,895 Avg. payment***: $114 |
Debt: $140,638 Avg. payment**: $1,567 |
Law |
Debt: $13,368 Avg. payment***: $154 |
Debt: $59,556 Avg. payment**: $663 |
Health Professionals |
|
Debt: $19,643 Avg. payment**: $536 |
Average payments may be higher depending on loan disbursal dates.
*10 year loan, 4.7 percent interest.
**10 year loan, 6.08 percent interest.
***10 year loan, 6.8 percent interest. As of July 1, 2012, the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is no longer available to graduate and professional students.
The following is a list of consequences if a borrower defaults on a federal loan:
- Adverse credit report
- Delinquent debt collection procedures
- Litigation
The National Student Loan Database is the U.S. Department of Education's central database of student aid. By visiting the , students can access information about their federal student loans and Pell Grants. Students need their federal to access their records.
For questions regarding the borrower's rights and responsibilities for the terms and conditions of federal loans, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.