Office of Student Financial Aid

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Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
Federal Direct Loan Information


What is a Direct Federal Loan?

Direct loans are funded by the federal government. The federal government raises the loan funds through its regular Treasury bill auctions. Direct Loans are loans made with federal capital and owned by the federal government. Loan repayments are made to the government branch called the Department of Education. Repayment of Direct Loan funds begins six months after the student graduates or ceases enrollment at least half-time.


There are two types of Direct Loans offered at SF State University:

  1. Subsidized Direct Loans

    2. are loans that the government will not charge you interest on prior to repayment. The federal government pays the interest while the student remains enrolled in school at least half-time, during the 6-month grace period, and during all eligible periods of deferment. The current interest rate for Undergraduate Direct Subsidized loan is fixed at 3.4%


    Note:

    Effective July 1, 2012, the Consolidation Appropriations Act of 2012 temporarily eliminates the interest subsidy during grace periods for subsidized Direct Stafford loans for students who are no longer enrolled at least halftime. This will affect "new" Direct Stafford loans that have a first disbursement on or after July 1, 2012 and before July 1, 2014.

    **Effective July 1, 2012, the Budget Control Act of 2011(Pub. L. 112-25) mandates that Graduate/Professional students are no longer eligible for federal subsidized loans for loan periods that begin on or after July 1, 2012.


  2. Unsubsidized Direct Loans

    3. are loans that you are charged interest on from the day the loan funds are disbursed until you repay the loan in full. The principal loan balance payments are deferred, if you are enrolled in a college or university at least a half-time. However, you must pay interest on the Unsubsidized loan while you are in school and during any grace or in-school deferment periods. You may choose to have the interest deferred. This will result in the deferred interest being added to the principle loan amount borrowed at the time your repayment begins. This is called capitalization. Having the interest capitalized will mean a higher loan amount owed than originally borrowed. The current interest rate for a Direct Unsubsidized loan is fixed at 6.8%.



    Direct Subsidized Loan - interest is paid by the government while you are in school.
    Direct Unsubsidized Loan - YOU pay the monthly interest while you are in school.


    See Direct Loan Interest Fee Chart


    Direct Loan Origination fees:

    The loan origination fee is an expense of borrowing Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans. The Direct Loan origination fee effective July 1, 2012 will be 1.0%. The calculation of the combined fee/interest rebate amount reduces the total loan amount paid to you by 1.0% percent. By law, these fees will be subtracted proportionately from each loan disbursement. (You will learn more about Direct loans during your on-line entrance counseling session)


Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible to receive a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, you must:

  1. Accept your financial aid offer

  2. Complete a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note. http://www.studentloans.gov

  3. Complete Entrance Loan Counseling, if this will be your first federal Direct student loan. www.studentloans.gov

  4. Be accepted for enrollment in a degree program at SF State University.
    (Unclassified graduates and some students enrolled through College of Extended Learning are not eligible)

  5. Be registered at least half-time: 6 units for Undergraduates, second bachelor and Credential students.
    4 graduate units for master's degree students.

  6. Not CURRENTLY in default on a federal student loan. Examples: GSL, Perkins, Direct or FFEL Stafford loans.

  7. Not owe a repayment on a federal or state grant. Examples: PELL, SUGP, SEOG, or Cal grant.

  8. Make Satisfactory Academic Progress.



Direct Loan "Proration" for Graduating Borrowers

Generally, an undergraduate student may borrow up to the annual limit applicable to the student's year in school. However, the maximum amount an undergraduate student may borrow must be prorated, in certain situations.


We must prorate a Stafford Loan limit for an undergraduate student if:

  • The academic program is shorter than an academic year; or

  • The student's remaining period of study is shorter than an academic year.

This proration affects graduating seniors and second baccalaureate students.Federal Direct Loan limits are not prorated for students enrolled in graduate, professional level programs or students taking preparatory coursework or coursework necessary for teacher certification.


Receiving Your Direct Loan Funds

  • Once we have received your Financial Aid Offer acceptance and your signed master promissory note, we will subsequently process your loan request and authorize the disbursement of your loan.

  • All Federal Direct Loans for the academic year will be disbursed in two equal disbursements: one half in the fall semester and one half in the spring semester.

  • You have the right to cancel all or a portion of the student loan(s) disbursed to you. To avoid paying the administrative fee on your disbursed Direct loan(s), you must return the loan funds to the Bursar's office (Admin Bldg, 155) within 100 days of the original check date. (Do Not Void the original check) You should use a money order or cashier's check if the original check has been deposited.


Additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan for Dependent Students:

If a dependent student's parents are denied a parent Direct PLUS loan, the student may be eligible for an increase to the unsubsidized Direct Loan. Interested students should speak with a financial aid counselor.


Replacing Federal Work Study Award

A student may be able to replace the federal work study award with a Direct Loan, if a student is awarded federal work study and does not plan to use the award for employment. The student must have remaining eligibility for the loan increase or loan award. Interested students should speak with a financial aid counselor.


Note:

*Conservative borrowing is encouraged. You should never borrow more than you can afford to repay.*



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