Graduate Student Loan Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for a federal student loan, you must be eligible to receive Federal financial aid and complete and submit a FAFSA.

If your financial aid package includes federal student loans, you will have the option to decline or accept all or a part of the loans.

If it is your first time receiving a Direct Loan, you will be required to

• complete entrance counseling, a tool to ensure you understand your obligation to repay the loan; and
• sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan.

You may complete both the entrance counseling and the MPN at studentaid.gov.

No. Direct Subsidized Loans are available only to undergraduate students.

Here’s a quick overview of Direct Unsubsidized Loans:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need, however you must still complete and submit a FAFSA.
• The financial aid office determines the amount you can borrow based on your cost of attendance and other financial aid you receive.
• You must be enrolled at least half-time status to receive an Unsubsidized Loan.
• Interest begins accruing on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan from the first day it is disbursed.  You may elect to pay this interest while you are in school but it is not required.  Your payments are deferred as long as you are enrolled at least half-time status.

The interest rates for Direct Unsubsidized Loans change year-to-year and can be found on studentaid.gov.

Yes, there is a loan fee on all Direct Unsubsidized Loans. The loan fee is a percentage of the loan amount and is proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. The percentage changes year to year and is published on studentaid.gov.

To receive a Direct PLUS Loan, you must

• be enrolled at least half-time as a graduate student
• be credit approved; and
• meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
• apply at studentaid.gov

The maximum PLUS loan amount you can borrow is the total cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance received (including Federal Unsubsidized Directly Loans).

A credit check will be performed during the application process. If you have an adverse credit history, you may still receive a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan through one of these two options:

1. Obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Direct PLUS Loan if you do not repay it
2. Receiving approval directly from the U.S. Department of Education that you have satisfactorily addressed any adverse credit issues.

With either option 1 or option 2, you also must complete credit counseling for PLUS loan borrowers at studentaid.gov.

To receive a Direct PLUS Loan, you must complete the FAFSA^®. The University Of La Verne financial aid office requires that you request a Direct PLUS Loan at Studentaid.gov. Once you apply, the financial aid office will be notified of the decision within 48 hours.

If you are eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan, you will be required to sign a Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan. Graduate or professional students who haven’t previously received a PLUS loan will also be required to complete entrance counseling. Contact the financial aid office for additional details regarding the process.

The interest rates for Direct Graduate PLUS Loans change year to year and can be found on studentaid.gov.

Yes, there is a loan fee on all Direct Graduate PLUS loans. The loan fee is a percentage of the loan amount and is proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. The percentage changes year to year and is published on studentaid.gov.

The University of La Verne will first apply  Loan funds to the school account to pay for tuition, fees, room and board (if applicable), and any other outstanding charges. If any loan funds remain, they will be issued to you by student accounts to help pay other education expenses.

When you receive your Direct PLUS Loan, you will be contacted by your loan servicer (you will repay your loan to the loan servicer). Your loan servicer will provide regular updates on the status of the Direct Loans that you receive.

If you receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Direct Graduate PLUS Loan as a graduate or professional student, you don’t have to make any payments while you’re enrolled in school at least half-time.

There are several repayment options available that are designed to meet the individual needs of borrowers. Your loan servicer can help you understand which repayment options are available to you. Generally, you’ll have 10 to 25 years to repay your loan, depending on the repayment plan that you choose. Learn about your repayment options.

If you are unable to make your scheduled loan payments, contact your loan servicer immediately. Your servicer can help you understand your options for keeping your loan in good standing. For example, you may wish to change your repayment plan to lower your monthly payment or request a deferment or forbearance that allows you to temporarily stop or lower the payments on your loan. Learn more about deferment or forbearance options.

Yes. Before your loan money is disbursed, you may cancel all or part of your loan at any time by notifying the financial aid office. After your loan is disbursed, you may cancel all or part of the loan within certain time frames. Your financial responsibility agreement and additional information you receive from the financial aid office will explain the procedures and time frames for canceling your loan.

Under certain conditions, you may be eligible to have all or part of your loan forgiven (canceled) or discharged. Find out about loan forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge.

Visit My Federal Student Aid to view information about all of the federal student loans and other financial aid you have received and to get contact information for your loan servicer.