There are a number of loans available to US students studying at UEA; Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans and the Sallie Mae Private Loan.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
Subsidised Stafford Loan
A Subsidised Loan is available to undergraduate students and is based on your financial need. If you are eligible, the US government pays interest on the loan while you are studying at least half-time, and for the six-month grace period after you leave UEA. The US government also pays the interest during any authorised period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
Unsubsidised Stafford Loan
An Unsubsidised Loan is available to both undergraduate and graduate students and is not based on your financial need. Interest accrues whilst you are studying, until it is repaid in full. The interest may be paid as it is due, or it may be postponed and allowed to accumulate while you are enrolled at least half-time at UEA, during any authorised period of interruption or deferment, and for the six-month grace period after you leave UEA.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans
Graduate PLUS Loan
The Graduate PLUS Loan is available to students enrolled at least half-time on a graduate degree programme. The Graduate PLUS Loan can be the difference between the Unsubsidised Loan and the Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid received (for example, a scholarship). Interest accrues whilst you are studying, until it is repaid in full. The interest may be paid as it is due, or it may be postponed and allowed to accumulate while you are enrolled at least half-time at UEA, and for the six-month grace period after you leave UEA, or drop below half-time enrolment.
A credit check will be performed during the application process. If you have an adverse credit history, you may be able to obtain a suitable endorser allowing you to obtain the loan.
Parent PLUS Loan
Parents of dependant undergraduate students can take out a Parent PLUS Loan in their name on behalf of their child. The Parent PLUS Loan can be the difference between the Subsidised and Unsubsidised Loans and the Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid received (for example, a scholarship). As a parent borrower, you’ll generally be expected to start making payments on your Parent PLUS Loan once your loan is fully disbursed. However, you may request for this to be postponed whilst your child is enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six months after your child graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrolment.
A credit check will be performed during the application process. If you have an adverse credit history, you may be able to obtain a suitable endorser allowing you to obtain the loan. The endorser cannot be the child on whose behalf you are borrowing.
Eligibility
Eligible courses
An eligible course for Federal Student Aid at UEA is a degree-granting programme, such as BA, BSc, MA, MFA, MSc, MPhil or PhD, studied on at least a half-time basis.
We are currently not eligible to certify loans for students on the following programmes:
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Foundation, Certificate, Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma
- Distance or correspondence education courses
- Study Abroad and Summer School programmes.
- Degree-granting programmes that include a period of internship or externship that exceeds 25% of the total course length.
Individual eligibility
Your eligibility for a loan and loan amount is assessed by the University, based on the information you provide in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cost of Attendance (COA) set by the University. The actual amount that you may be eligible to receive will take into account any Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA).
You must meet the criteria set by the US Department of Education to be eligible for US loans. The basic eligibility criteria are listed by Federal Student Aid.
Students who are US citizens or permanent residents are able to apply for Federal Student Aid if they have accepted an offer of a place on an eligible course at the University. You must hold a Conditional Firm offer from the University to start the loan process. To originate your loan, you must hold an Unconditional Firm offer.