Loans
If scholarships and grants do not cover the entire cost of your education, educational loans are generally available. The two primary sources of loans are through the federal government or from private lenders. Generally speaking, federal student loans include many benefits that are not typically offered with private loans, such as income-driven repayment plans. In contrast, private loans are generally more expensive than federal student loans. We generally recommend students pursue private educational loans only after exhausting all their federal loan options. View .
Loan Programs
- – These are the most popular loan programs that 爱豆传媒入口 students use. To qualify for the subsidized loan, a FAFSA applicant must demonstrate financial need. The subsidized loan is also only available for undergraduate students. The unsubsidized loan only requires an official FAFSA for eligibility, given a student has not exceeded their aggregate limit. Unsubsidized loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- – This type of loan is available to eligible parents of undergraduate students to assist with educational expenses. Credit checks are required during the application process and an approval / denial decision is given immediately. Please visit to begin your application.
- – This credit-based loan is only available to certain eligible graduate students who may need additional funding beyond what is offered to them in a direct unsubsidized loan. Please contact the financial aid office for more information.
- – These are available to students through private banks, credit unions, or lenders. Please note that students may be required to pass a credit check and/or secure a cosigner to be considered eligible. Our office is unable to recommend one lender over the next.
NEW Federal Student Loan Proration – Schedule of Reductions (SOR)
Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, federal law requires colleges to reduce a student's Direct Loan eligibility when the student is not enrolled full-time for the academic year. This new requirement is called the Schedule of Reductions (SOR). Small schedule changes can have significant financial consequences.
| Previous Rule | New Rule (2026-27 Forward) |
|---|---|
| Students could often receive their full annual Direct Loan amount as long as they were enrolled at least half-time during a semester/term. | Loan eligibility is reduced based on the student's expected enrollment for the academic year. |
| Enrollment was reviewed primarily semester/term-by-semester/term. | Enrollment is reviewed across the academic year - fall & spring (summer-if applicable) |
| Students taking 6-11 credits often remained eligible for the full annual loan amount. | Students taking fewer than full-time credits may receive a reduced annual loan limit. |
What Counts as Full-Time?
| PROGRAM | PER SEMESTER/TERM | ACADEMIC YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 12+ | 24+ |
| Master’s | 9+ | 18+ |
| Doctoral & MSN-Nursing | 6+ | 12+ |
Important Semester/Term Enrollment Thresholds
| Enrollment Level | Loan Impact |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | Eligible for full annual loan limit (if otherwise eligible) |
| Less Than Full-Time but Half-Time or More | Eligible, but annual loan limit may be reduced |
| Less Than Half-Time | Cannot receive Direct Loan disbursements |
Why This Matters
Dropping/Withdrawing from a class can:
✅ Reduce future loan eligibility – which may result in a higher “out of pocket” cost for the following semester (our office will not be adjusting already disbursed loans)
✅ Reduce a future loan disbursement – even within the same semester/term
✅ Prevent a future loan disbursement if enrollment falls below half-time
Examples
#1: Student Drops/Withdraws From One Class
Scenario: A dependent junior has a full-time federal annual Direct Loan limit of $7,500.
| Fall | Spring | Total | Annual Loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Enrollment | 12 credits | 12 credits | 24 credits | $7,500 |
| After drop/withdraw from class | 9 credits | 12 credits | 21 credits | $6,600* |
*Calculation: 21 ÷ 24 = 88% New annual loan eligibility: $7,500 × 88% = $6,600
Impact: The student loses approximately $900 in annual loan eligibility – which will be taken from Spring
Can the Student Get the Full Loan Back?
Yes, sometimes.
If the student later enrolls in:
- Fall = 9 credits
- Spring = 15 credits
Total = 24 credits
The student again meets the full-time academic-year requirement and may regain eligibility for the full annual loan amount, assuming all other aid requirements are met.
#2: Student Plans to Enroll On a Less-Than-Full-Time Basis
Scenario: A dependent junior has a full-time federal annual Direct Loan limit of $7,500 ($5,500 subsidized, $2,000 unsubsidized).
| Credits | Subsidized | Unsubsidized | Annual Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Enrollment | 9 credits | $2,079 | $1,386 | $3,465 |
| Spring Enrollment | 6 credits | $756 | $504 | $1,260 |
*Calculation: 15 ÷ 24 = 63% New annual loan eligibility: $7,500 × 63% = $4,725
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are ALL federal loans affected?
No. The Schedule of Reductions applies to: Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans (undergraduate and graduate), and Graduate PLUS Loans. It does not apply to Parent PLUS Loans.
Q: If my loan is reduced, am I paying the money back twice?
No. We would reduce a future disbursement within the same academic year. This results in a reduction of the overall amount of loan money requested during the academic year and may result in a higher out of pocket cost.
Q: What if I have federal aid (grants and/or loans) and withdraw from all classes?
A separate federal calculation called Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) may be required.
This may result in: financial aid being returned, reduced eligibility, and a balance owed to the university.
Students should always consult Financial Aid before withdrawing.