Loans & Financing Options

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education. Direct Unsubsidized Loans accrue interest from the date of disbursement. If you do not pay the interest while you are enrolled in school or during your grace period, accrued interest will be added to your loan’s principal. Graduate or Professional Students have an annual borrowing limit of $20,500 and an aggregate loan limit of $138,500 under the Federal Direct Loan Program. To apply, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate or Professional Students

Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program. Graduate PLUS Loans are available to credit worthy U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. To process a Grad PLUS Loan, a FAFSA must first be submitted and Stafford Loan eligibility must be utilized.

Private Alternative Loans

Private alternative loans help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the amount of financial assistance you receive. Eligibility for private education loans often depends on your credit score and typically requires a co-signer. We encourage you to begin your private loan search at ELMSelect.

This service, provided by Elm Resources, allows you to compare various private loan programs suggested by the University. This resource also provides direct links to lender websites/applications and a loan payment calculator to estimate your loan payments.