Federal Graduate/ Professional School Loans
Learn about federal loans for graduate and professional school students.
Please note:
- Remember that borrowing money is a serious responsibility; you must repay loans with interest.
- Before you borrow, pursue outside agency scholarships.
- File your FAFSA by March 2 each year to be considered for the best types of financial aid awards.
- Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office before the May 21 deadline.
- In addition to the federal loan programs listed below, you may wish to consider private loan programs.
- Read more about loans and about the Federal Direct Loan Program.
Learn more about these federal graduate and professional school loans:
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
No new subsidized loans will be made to graduate/professional students for periods of study beginning on or after July 1, 2012. Annual and aggregate loan limits for these students will not change.
Annual maximum amounts for independent
graduate/professional school students:
| Base loan (100% subsidized or a subsidized/ unsubsidized mix, depending on your need) | Additional unsubsidized-only loan |
| $8,500 | $12,000 |
Need-based/ subsidized? Yes. The federal government pays (subsidizes) the interest on your behalf during in-school, grace, and authorized deferment periods. You'll begin paying interest after you leave school, or when your grace/ deferment period ends.
Depending on your financial need, you may not receive the maximum loan amount in a subsidized loan. However, you might still be able to borrow unsubsidized funds up to the total maximum Stafford loan amounts (See next section).
Funded by: The U.S. Department of Education (with funds from the U.S. Treasury)
Disbursed by: The U.S. Department of Education disburses funds directly to UCSD.
Interest rate: 6.8% fixed
Loan fees: Effective for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2012 the loan origination fee will be 1.0%.
Repayment of principal and interest begins 6 months after your full-time or half-time enrollment ends.
To borrow the Subsidized Federal Direct Loan:
- File your FAFSA and provide any requested documents before the deadlines.
- UCSD notifies you of a Subsidized Direct Loan.
- Accept the award online using the Financial Aid tool.
- Sign the electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN). This document confirms your agreement to repay the loan.
- Complete online entrance loan counseling (first-time UCSD borrowers only).
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Annual maximum amounts for independent
graduate/ professional school students:
| Unsubsidized loan |
| $20,500 |
Need-based/ subsidized? No.
Funded by: The U.S. Department of Education (with funds from the U.S. Treasury)
Disbursed by: The U.S. Department of Education disburses funds directly to UCSD.
Interest rate: 6.8% fixed
Loan fees: 0.5% loan origination fee, which results from a 1.0% origination fee that has an up-front interest rebate of 0.5% fee. Effective for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2012 the loan origination fee will be 1.0%.
Repayment of principal and interest begins 6 months after your full-time or half-time enrollment ends.
To borrow the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan:
- UCSD notifies you of a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
- Accept the award online using the Financial Aid tool.
- Sign the electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN). This document confirms your agreement to repay the loan.
- Complete online entrance loan counseling (first-time UCSD borrowers only).
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Amount: The annual maximum equals the cost of attendance minus estimated financial assistance, including other non-need-based loans.
Need-based/ subsidized? No.
Funded by: The U.S. Department of Education (with funds from the U.S. Treasury)
To be eligible for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must:
- Use the funds for educational expenses
- Be enrolled at least half-time
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
- Not be in default or owe a repayment on any Title IV loan or grant
Comparing the Graduate PLUS and private loans:
The Graduate PLUS Loan may be a better financing option over private loans.
- The Graduate PLUS Loan offers competitive fixed rates for the life of the loan. Your income and credit score will affect your eligibility, and you must pass a credit check.
- Private loans have variable interest rates, without a rate cap and with adjustments during the year.
- Carefully compare the two programs to choose the one that is best for your circumstances.
- Make sure you request the maximum Unsubsidized loan amount for which you're eligible, before borrowing a Graduate PLUS Loan!
Disbursed by: The U.S. Department of Education disburses funds directly to UCSD.
Interest rate: 7.9% fixed
Loan fees: 2.5% loan origination fee, which results from a 4% origination fee that has an up-front interest rebate of 1.5% fee. Effective for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2012 the loan origination fee will be 4.0%.
Repayment of principal and interest begins within 60 days after the final disbursement of the academic year.
To borrow the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan:
- UCSD notifies you of a Graduate PLUS Loan.
- Accept the award online using the Financial Aid tool.
- Sign the electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN). This document confirms your agreement to repay the loan.
- Complete online entrance loan counseling (first-time UCSD borrowers only).
Questions?
Contact the Financial Aid Office, (858) 534-4480.