Subsidized Loan – Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need and are enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours). Students are not required to pay the interest on the loan while enrolled at least half-time or for the first 6 months after they leave school.

Unsubsidized Loan - Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. Students are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods.

Required steps for student to complete:

• Go to StudentAid.gov.
• Log in using your FSA ID username and password.
• Go to Checklists.
• Select I’m in School.
  • Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) to take out a federal student loan.
  • Complete entrance counseling before getting a student loan.

For more information, click here.

PLUS Loan for Parents – The loan can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The loan is in the parent’s name. The parent must be the biological or adoptive parent (or in some cases, the stepparent) of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school.

Required steps for parent to complete:

• Go to StudentAid.gov.
• Log in using your FSA ID username and password.
• Go to Checklists.
• Select I’m a Parent.
  • Apply for a parent PLUS Loan to help pay for your child’s education expenses not covered by other aid.
  • Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for a parent PLUS loan.

For more information, click here.

Private loans, sometimes called alternative loans, are available from private lenders and offer additional financial assistance. A credit check is required for private loans and some of the loan terms and conditions may be based upon your credit standing. If you are a student, please know that most lenders will require a co-signer.

Carefully consider your needs before you borrow. We recommend that you exhaust all federal grant and loan programs before you consider a private loan. Please visit our Private Loans page for more information on private loans.