Student Loans
Beginning fall 2010 the University of Mobile will move from the current Federal Stafford Loan Program and begin participation in the Federal Direct Loan Program. This will affect ALL borrowers, both new and returning. The decision to move to Direct Lending will ensure availability of federal loans to students.
In order to complete the Federal Direct Loan process a valid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required. www.fafsa.gov
To apply for a Federal Direct Loan, simply follow the directions below:
- Complete the required Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
- Complete the electronic Master Promissory Note*: E-Sign
*Your signed MPN is valid for a 10-year period and enables you to borrow subsequent loans under the same note without requiring you to complete a new loan application each year. If you previously have borrowed a student loan, your borrower rights and responsibilities remain unchanged and you are responsible for repaying your entire student loan obligation.
Federal Direct Loans
There are two types of Federal Direct Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized.
Direct Subsidized
Direct Subsidized means that interest, which accrues on a loan, while a borrower is in school, grace, or authorized periods of deferment, is paid by the government. The borrower must meet certain financial need criteria in order to be eligible for Subsidized Loans.
Direct Unsubsidized
Direct Unsubsidized means that the borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest that accrues on the loan. Interest on an Unsubsidized Loan accrues from the date of disbursement and continues throughout the life of the loan. If you do not meet the financial need criteria to qualify for a subsidized loan, you can still apply for an unsubsidized loan.
Direct PLUS Loan
Direct PLUS Loans are unsubsidized loans for the parents of dependent students and for graduate/professional students. PLUS Loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods.
For more information on Direct Loans and how to apply for them visit: www.studentloans.gov.
Repaying Your Federal Direct Loan
- You are required to begin repaying your Federal Direct loan six months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time attendance.
- Borrowers generally have 10 years to repay these loans.
- Students who received a Federal Direct Loan are required to complete Exit
- Counseling upon graduation or withdrawing from school.
- For more information on Federal Direct Loan Consolidation go to www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov.
- Requirements and Regulations for Federal Direct and Direct Parent PLUS Loans
- All students applying for a Federal Direct Loan and parents applying for a Parent PLUS Loan must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
- All students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at least half-time (six hours) per semester to qualify for a Federal Direct Loan or to have their parents qualify for a Parent PLUS Loan.
- Students must attend classes and maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue being eligible for their loans.
- If students withdraw from classes before the end of the term, they must still repay their loans.
- All single semester loans require two disbursement dates.
Federal Aggregate Lifetime Loan Limits
- Dependent undergraduates: $31,000
- Independent undergraduates: $57,500
- Graduate and professional students: $138,500
*Students can only borrow up to the cost of attendance for their program of study. Check with the Financial Aid Office to see the cost of attendance for your program. You can only borrow one loan per academic level.
Private Alternative Loan Lender List
Alternative Student Loans are non-federal education loans in the student’s name, offered through private lenders. UMobile recommends that students first explore all federal loan options before exploring the non-federal alternative loans.
You are able to apply for a loan from any lender that offers private education loans. Private lenders do check your credit history to see if you qualify for a loan. In many cases a co-borrower may be required to qualify for a loan and may help lower your cost of borrowing. Interest rates, fees, and qualifications vary so be sure to review the details of information provided by the lender.
UMobile does not maintain a recommended lender list. However, we do provide this comprehensive list of lenders that UMobile students have used for the past three to five years. For details on each lender’s loan program please contact them directly.
What You Need to Know
- This list is NOT ranked in any way.
- We do not have preferred lender arrangements with any of the lenders listed below.
- The Financial Aid office received no benefits for including these lenders on this list.
- We cannot legally recommend a lender to you.
- Under federal law, you have the right to borrow through the lender of your choice regardless if they appear on this list.
- Every family’s needs are unique and no lender is perfect for every family. We encourage you to shop around to find the best loan to meet YOUR needs.
Lenders:
- Sallie Mae
- Sofri
- College Avenue
- Earnest
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