GRAD STUDENT LOAN INFORMATION

Federal Direct Stafford Loan (Unsubsidized only beginning July 1, 2012)

Loans are available to students enrolled for at least five credit hours per semester. You may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year. The total amount outstanding that you may borrow for undergraduate and graduate study is $138,500, with no more than $65,500 in subsidized loans. The annual interest is a fixed rate 6.8%.The unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan requires that the interest must be paid by the student, on a quarterly basis, while the student is enrolled in school. Deferment of the interest payments is available.


A Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be filed at www.fafsa.ed.gov prior to certification of a loan application by the school. You must maintain satisfactory progress to renew your loan. 

You must also file a Federal Direct Stafford Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov to apply for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan. If you borrowed previously, your Federal Direct Stafford Master Promissory Note is good for 10 years.

The interest paid toward your subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant or with the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov for additional information.

There may be up to a 1% loan origination fee deducted from the face value of the loan.


Sample payment plans for Federal Stafford Loans >>

Entrance and Exit Interviews

Federal law requires that when you borrow through the Federal  Direct Stafford Loan Program for the first time; you must complete an entrance interview. This can be completed at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action

In addition, when you graduate, withdraw or enroll less than half-time, you must complete an exit interview. The exit interview can also be completed at http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/

Federal  Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate students may borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance minus any financial aid that the student is expected to receive. Students must be enrolled in at least 5 credits per semester and be creditworthy. The annual interest rate is a fixed rate of 7.9%. Repayment of principal and interest begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. A deferment option is available.

The interest paid toward your Federal Graduate PLUS Loans may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant or with the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov for additional information.

To apply, you will need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student AId (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov and a Federal Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action.

Sample payment plans for Federal Graduate PLUS Loans >>

Federal Perkins Loan

The Federal Perkins Loan program provides students with long-term, low-interest loans for educational expenses. The amount which can be made available to an applicant is based on the student's computed financial need and available funding.

Changes in federal law now allow you to borrow up to $5,000 during one academic year, but no more than $30,000 for undergraduate and graduate study. No interest is charged while you maintain at least half-time status.
 Repayment of the loan with interest at 5% per annum on the unpaid balance begins either six or nine months (based on the conditions of your promissory note) after you graduate or terminate your student status or become less than a half-time student. Repayment must be completed within ten years after the interest begins to accrue.

Entrance Interviews

Federal law requires that every student who has obtained a Federal Perkins Loan through Philadelphia University must have the opportunity for an entrance interview. This can be completed at www.mappingyourfuture.org.



Exit Interviews

Federal law requires that every student who has obtained a Federal Perkins Loan through Philadelphia University must have the opportunity for an exit interview before leaving the University. During this brief meeting, a representative from the Financial Aid Office will explain provisions for loan repayment and privileges for deferment of payment to the student borrower. The financial aid office will contact the borrowers prior to their anticipated graduation dates to remind them of the necessity for an exit interview. However, each student is responsible for scheduling the interview even if he or she withdraws from the University at any time prior to graduation. Exit interviews can be completed at www.mappingyourfuture.org.

Repayment Information

The U.S. Department of Education's National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) provides information on your federal loans including loan types, disbursed amounts, outstanding principal and interest, and the total amount of all your loans. To access NSLDS, go to www.nslds.ed.gov.

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Veterans and Veterans' Dependents Benefits

If you are veteran who served on continuous active duty for 181 days or more after January 31, 1955, you may be eligible for educational benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill or Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). In addition, a variety of loans, employment opportunities and other forms of financial assistance are available to veterans. If you are a dependent of a veteran who died or is permanently disabled as a result of service in the Armed Services, or if you are serving in the services, you may be eligible for educational benefits. For further information contact the Financial Aid Office.

International Students

International students applying for, or currently holding student visas or any type of non-immigrant visa, are not eligible for federal funds, including Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work Study and the Federal Stafford Loan.

Tuition Payment Plan

At the point of registration, students may remit one-third of the balance due if they choose to participate in the deferred payment plan. A fee of 1% per month on the outstanding balance will be assessed. Students will be invoiced for the remaining payments.

ALTERNATIVE LOANS

An alternative loan can help to pay the student’s remaining expenses after financial aid has been applied to the bill. The alternative loans are credit-based and offer flexible repayment options. Alternative loans are to be used to supplement other forms of financial aid. Alternative loans are student loans, with the student listed as the borrower.  Most alternative loans will require that the student also have a credit worthy co-signer in order to be eligible.  Interest rates are variable and are set by the individual lender.  Additional information about alternative loans is available in the financial aid office.

Click here for more information on alternate loans.