Description
These loans are for students with financial need, as determined by the Federal Processer based on the information reported on the FAFSA. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education.
Subsidized means the federal government pays the interest as long as half-time enrollment is maintained. Thereafter, payment on the loan interest becomes your responsibility.
Amount
Annual borrowing limits are based on the student's year of study:
Dependent undergraduates
- First year: $5,500 (no more than $3,500 of this amount may be subsidized)
- Second year: $6,500 (no more than $4,500 of this amount may be subsidized)
- Third year and beyond: $7,500 (no more than $5,500 of this amount may be subsidized)
Independent undergraduates (and dependent undergraduates whose parents are unable to borrow under the PLUS Loan Program)
- First year: $9,500 (no more than $3,500 of this amount may be subsidized)
- Second year: $10,500 (no more than $4,500 of this amount may be subsidized)
- Third year and beyond: $12,500 (no more than $5,500 of this amount may be subsidized)
Eligibility
- Be enrolled at least half time.
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
- Be registered with the Selective Service (males only)
- Be a U.S. citizen, national, or non-citizen.
- Have financial need, as determined by the Federal Processer based on the information reported on the FAFSA
Payment
Loan funds will not disburse (pay) until all requested documentation has been submitted, and your aid application is considered to be complete.
A note will be placed on your myUNTDallas "To Do List" if additional steps are required before disbursement.
If the financial aid file is complete, disbursements can be made as early as ten days prior to the first day of a Fall or Spring fee payment (August/January) period. However, disbursements can also occur throughout an enrollment term upon completion of a file.
Interest Rate
The current interest rate is 4.53 percent. All interest rates and fees are valid only from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
Repayment
Repayment begins six months after enrollment drops below half-time status or upon the point of graduation.
The Project on Student Debt works to increase public understanding of rising student debt. This initiative has compiled the top 10 tips for keeping your student loans under control. The tips can be reviewed here.
For more information regarding repayment, please visit Direct Loan Repayment Plans. For information regarding deferment or forebearance, please visit Direct Loan Deferment and Forbearance.
Repayment Length
Between 10 and 30 years to repay, depending on the amount owed and repayment plan selected.
Additional Information
- If you are a new borrower at UNT Dallas (including transfer students), you may complete your Federal Direct Loan Entrance counseling at StudentLoans.gov anytime after being awarded federal aid. You will need your FSA ID (same username/password when you signed the FAFSA) and enter University of North Texas at Dallas as a school to receive the results. You must complete the counseling before your school can make the first payment of your loan. The counseling will help you understand your responsibilities about your loan.
- Continuing UNTD borrowers are required to complete the Financial Awareness Counseling Tool (FACT) annually. This requirement is a step in UNTD's Default Aversion Plan; our goal is to ensure that each borrower understands how to manage their student loan and the commitment that comes with the acceptance of a student loan. Above all, borrowers must realize that student loans are not grants or scholarships; they require repayment. You may complete your Financial Awareness Counseling by visiting StudentLoans.gov, selecting Complete Counseling then Financial Awareness Counseling. You must complete the counseling before UNT Dallas can make any payment of your loan.
- The U.S. Department of Education charges an origination fee of the total amount borrowed per loan. This fee is deducted from the loan by the Department of Education before the proceeds are credited to a student's account.
- Borrowers must electronically sign a Federal Direct Loan Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note.
- Please visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.
- Each Federal Direct Loan borrower at the University of North Texas at Dallas is required to complete Student Exit Counseling shortly before completing a degree, leaving UNT Dallas (i.e., withdrawing, graduation) or ceasing half-time enrollment. To complete this requirement, go to StudentLoans.gov, select Complete Counseling then Exit Counseling.