Financial Aid

Direct Student Loan Limits

All loans are limited to cost of attendance minus other aid.

Dependent students may borrow direct students students loans annually up to:

• $5,500 if you’re a freshman, $3,500 may be subsidized.
• $6,500 if you’re a sophomore, $4,500 may be subsidized.
• $7,500 if you’re a junior or senior, $5,500 may be subsidized.
• $5,500 if you’re a post-baccalaureate, $5,500 may be subsidized.
• $7,500, $5,500 may be subsidized if you are a post baccalaureate pursuing Teacher Certification doing preparatory work for a masters.
• $20,500 if you are enrolled in a master’s program, $8,500 may be subsidized. 

The loan will be subsidized to the extent that you have “Need”

You may borrow a Direct Unsubsidized Loan beyond the above limits if you are an Independent student or a dependent student whose parent is denied a PLUS loan. All loans are limited to the Cost of Attendance minus other aid.

Additional Unsubsidized Loans for Independent Students

In addition to the loan amounts listed above, independent students and students whose parents are denied a loan may also borrow unsubsidized loans up to:

• $4,000 if you’re a freshman.
• $4,000 if you’re a sophomore.
• $5,000 if you’re a junior or senior.
• $5,000 if you’re a post-baccalaureate.
• Graduate PLUS loans are available (credit check is required).

Direct student loan lifetime limits  (lifetime loan limits for undergraduate/post-baccalaureate students increased on July 1, 2008):

• $31,000 as a dependent undergraduate/post-baccalaureate student. Only $23,000 may be subsidized.
• $57,500 as an independent undergraduate/post-baccalaureate student. Only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
• $138,500 as a graduate student. Only $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans and will include any subsidized loans received as an undergraduate/ post-bac.

Note: Federal Direct Loans can be forgiven up to $17,500 for certain professions. Refer to Additional Information page.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

The PLUS loan is an unsubsidized loan for parents of dependent students. The PLUS loan can be used to meet the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Parents may borrow any amount up to the Cost of Attendance, minus other financial aid. You will be offered your full parent loan eligibility on the award letter. Your student has the opportunity to accept, decline, or reduce the PLUS loan on MyCWU .> Sign In > Financial Toolbox > Accept/Decline Awards. The parent borrower applies for the Parent PLUS Loan online at the Student Loans site by signing into the website with their FSA ID. Once they have signed in they will select Request a PLUS Loan from the menu and then select Parent PLUS as the type of loan. During this application process the parent borrower will be able to request in-school deferment of payments and will immediately know the results of the credit check. If denied, they have several options available, including appealing the credit decision, applying with an endorser (co-signer), having the school offer the student the additional unsubsidized student loan, or not taking any action.

The same parent must also complete the Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN). The Parent PLUS MPN is for one parent and one student and is good for up to 10 years. See instructions on how to successfully complete the Parent PLUS MPN.

The PLUS loan is an interest-accruing loan. The PLUS loan is available to either biological parent or a step-parent whose financial information is included on the FAFSA.

REPAYMENT: Repayment on a PLUS loan begins sixty days (60) after the final disbursement of the academic year unless the parent requests an in school loan repayment deferment.

For PLUS loans disbursed after July 1, 2008, the parent has the option to request a repayment deferment until 6 months after the student graduates or leaves school. The deferment may be requested at the time of application online.

Graduate PLUS Loans

Available for Graduate Students upon request (not a Parent Loan). The Graduate PLUS loan is an unsubsidized loan for graduate students at PLUS loan interest rates. Graduates may borrow any amount up to the cost of attendance, minus other financial aid. A credit check and new Promissory Note are required.

Perkins Loans

The Perkins Loan is a subsidized federal campus-based loan with a fixed 5 percent interest rate when in repayment. You will not be charged interest on this loan while you are attending school and enrolled at half-time or more. Perkins funds are limited and students must meet a grade point average (GPA) requirement. $1,500 to Freshman and Sophomore with need and AI of 28 or GPA of 2.5. Up to $3,000 may be awarded to students with unusually high budgets. Repayment begins nine (9) months after you leave school, graduate, or drop below half-time enrollment. Perkins loan debt can be forgiven for students who are employed in service industries such as teaching or law enforcement. Please see more information about loan forgiveness.

Notice of Federal Stafford and PLUS Loan Acceptance and Disbursement Requirements

Please note that if you are awarded a Federal Stafford loan for any term during the Academic Year (September through June), you must accept the loan(s) prior to the last day of spring quarter finals in order to receive the disbursement. Loans not accepted before the last day of spring quarter finals will be canceled and the student will not receive the disbursement. No exceptions will be made under any circumstances.

Federal PLUS Loans must be accepted AND an approved credit determination made prior to the last day of spring finals in order to receive the disbursement. The parent borrower must have completed the online PLUS Request Process prior to the last day of spring finals for the credit decision to be accepted. Federal PLUS Loans not accepted with an approved credit decision prior to the last day of spring finals will be canceled and no disbursement will be made. No exceptions will be made under any circumstances.

If your accepted Academic Year Federal Stafford or PLUS Loan has not disbursed prior to June 30 each year, the loan(s) will be canceled. A Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling (student loans only) must be completed and accepted prior to June 30 each year in order to receive the loan disbursement. Failure to complete these items will result in the cancelation of your loan(s). No exceptions will be made under any circumstances.

Loans awarded for Summer term only must be accepted by the last day of finals in August of each year. All requirements listed above also pertain to Summer Loan awards.

For questions regarding the acceptance and disbursement requirements for Federal Stafford and PLUS Loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office by email.