Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell grants are awarded to students who
demonstrate financial need and who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree. The maximum award
for the 2020-2021 award year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021) is $ 6345. The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you
may receive over your lifetime is limited by federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell grant funding.
Since the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant funding you can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six years
equivalent is 600%. Effective with the 2017-2018 award year, eligible students may be awarded up to one and one-half
Federal Pell Grants (i.e. 150% of the student’s scheduled award) during a single award year. Therefore, a student
may reach their 600% limit more quickly than the six-year equivalent.
The Pell Grant amount awarded will depend on:
- Financial need
- Cost of Attendance
- Enrollment Status
You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
Federal Direct Loan Program
Direct Loans (DL), from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, are low-interest loans for eligible
students to help cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, trade,
career, or technical school. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at
participating schools.
There are several benefits in using the Direct Loan Program:
- A Direct Loan is a source of funding for student loans.
- A Direct Loan offers the option of an income-contingent repayment plan or an income-based repayment plan when
you enter repayment. This means you will have the option of ensuring that your loan repayment amount will always
be affordable based on what your income will allow.
- Students in the Direct Loan program who enter public service jobs can have any remaining balance on their loans
forgiven after ten years of public service work. (While this option does not exist in the FFEL program, students
who borrowed in that program can consolidate their loans into the DL program in order to take advantage of this
forgiveness program.)
- Most lenders offer benefits during repayment after a student makes payments from 2 to 4 years. Very few students
end up receiving those benefits. In DL, students earn benefits after only 1 year.
- Should a student make payments late under DL, the late fees charged are less than the late fees charged in the
FFEL Program.
Federal Direct Loans
A Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded based on the student's financial need and other specific eligibility
requirements. The federal government does not charge interest on these loans while borrowers are enrolled at least
half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment.
A Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on the student's financial need, but students must also meet specific
eligibility requirements. Interest is charged throughout the life of the loan. The borrower may choose to pay the
interest charged on the loan or allow the interest to be capitalized (added to the loan principal).
A Direct PLUS Loan is a federal loan that graduate or professional degree students and parents of dependent
undergraduate students can use to help pay education expenses. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS
Loans to eligible borrowers through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Federal Subsidized Student Loan Borrowing Limitations
As of July 1, 2013, a first-time Federal Subsidized Student Loan borrower is no longer eligible for the Subsidized
Student Loan program if he or she exceeds 150% of the published length necessary to graduate within an undergraduate
degree program.
In addition, a borrower reaching the 150% limit becomes ineligible for the interest subsidy benefits on all Federal
Subsidized Loans disbursed to the borrower on or after July 1, 2013.
Direct Loan Resource Center
In order to receive federal student loans, you must complete certain requirements.
The Department of Education created the
Federal Student Aid website to manage borrower requirements and provide
valuable information regarding federal student loans. The three items listed below are required from all
borrowers.
1.Entrance Counseling
To ensure that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a student loan
borrower, the Federal Government requires you to participate in loan counseling before receiving a Direct Loan,
if you have not previously received a Direct Loan, Federal Family Education Loan or Supplemental Loans to
Students (SLS) Loan.
2.Master Promissory Note (MPN)
The Master Promissory Note, commonly referred to as MPN, is a document that must be
signed in order to receive a federal student loan. The signed MPN binds you to the federal government as a
promise to repay the student loan you intend to take out to help cover your educational expenses. The MPN
provides valuable information about the rights and responsibilities you have as a borrower.
3.Exit
Counseling
Prior to graduating or leaving school, Direct Loan borrowers must complete exit counseling. The Direct Loan
Exit Counseling will explain your rights and responsibilities as a Direct Loan Borrower. Your Federal PIN is
required in order to complete the Exit Interview because your personal loan information will be
provided.
| Dependent Students: Annual Direct Loan
Limits (Effective July 1, 2013) |
| Year/Classification |
Base Amount |
Additional Unsubsidized Loan Amount
|
Total |
| Freshman |
$3,500 |
$2,000 |
$5,500 |
| Sophomore |
$4,500 |
$2,000 |
$6,500 |
| Junior or Senior |
$5,500 |
$2,000 |
$7,500 |
|
Independent Students: Annual Direct Loan Limits
(Effective July 1, 2013) |
|
Year/Classification |
Base Amount |
Additional Unsubsidized Loan
Amount |
Total |
| Freshman |
$3,500 |
$6,000 |
$9,500 |
| Sophomore |
$4,500 |
$6,000 |
$10,500 |
|
Junior or Senior |
$5,500 |
$7,000 |
$12,500 |
| Graduate |
$0 |
$20,500 |
$20,500 |
Note: It is important to note that even if a student is financing their
education on their own, dependency status is still determined by the school.
Current Interest Rates
Congress has passed the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, which ties
federal student loan interest rates to financial markets. Under this Act, interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made
for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Each loan will have a fixed
interest rate for the life of the loan.
The following table provides the most current available interest rates for new Direct Loans made on or after
July 1, 2020, and before July 1, 2021. These rates will apply to all new Direct Loans made during this time,
even loans already disbursed before the passage of the Act.
|
Current Interest Rates |
| Type Loan
|
Interest rate |
| Direct
Subsidized Loans (Undergraduate) |
2.75%
|
| Direct
Unsubsidized Loans (Undergraduate) |
2.75%
|
| Direct
Unsubsidized Loans (Graduate or Professional) |
4.30%
|
| Direct PLUS
Loans (Parents & Graduate or Professional) |
5.3%
|