Federal Loans

These loans are made through the Federal Direct Loan Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. They can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Students can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period. Repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after enrollment status is less than half-time (five or fewer credits).

A subsidized loan is awarded based on financial need. Financial need is calculated by subtracting the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the cost of attendance (COA). The SAI is determined by the Department of Education and is calculated from your data on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The COA of undergraduate programs is determined by the University. Interest on this loan is not charged while students are in school and enrolled for six or more credits.

An unsubsidized loan is a non-need-based loan program. Students will be charged interest on this loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid off. The interest can accrue during enrollment and other periods of non-payment, but it will be capitalized. If this interest is not paid during enrollment, it is accrued and added to the principal balance of the loan. Capitalization occurs the day the grace (or deferment) period expires. This additional amount subsequently accrues interest, which adds an additional expense to the loan.

The loan amounts a student can borrow depend on grade level in college and on student status (dependent undergraduate, independent undergraduate, dependent undergraduate whose parents are unable to get a Direct PLUS Loan), or graduate student.

Fairfield University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program and does not have a preferred lender list. Fairfield University abides by all principles outlined in the CT Code of Conduct.

Estimate Your Monthly Loan Payments

Students must first submit the FAFSA. The Office of Financial Aid will notify the student in writing (e-mail or mail) of eligibility for a Direct Loan. If accepted, students must complete both the Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the loan proceeds to disburse at the University. These loan requirements can only be completed online through the Department of Education's website, using the student's Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID).

Current Loan Interest Rates by Disbursement Dates

*For more information on interest rates, please refer to the Federal Student Aid website.

Current Loan Fees by Disbursement Dates

• New Direct Loan borrowers on or after July 1, 2013 will not be eligible for new Direct Subsidized Loans if the period during which the borrower has received such loans exceeds 150 percent of the published length of the borrower's educational program. Read more.
• A borrower reaching the 150 percent limit becomes ineligible for interest subsidy on all Direct Subsidized loans first disbursed to that borrower on or after July 1, 2013.
• As part of the Budget Control Act of 2011, which passed on August 1, 2011, undergraduate Direct Subsidized Loan borrowers whose loans were first disbursed after July 1, 2012, will have the interest subsidy cease when enrollment drops below six credits. The government will not subsidize interest for students during their grace period between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2014.
• All students who borrow with the Direct Loan programs must also satisfy the Exit Counseling requirement to fully understand the terms of loan repayment. Exit Counseling will be required before graduation, at the time of withdrawal, or when enrollment drops below six credits.

The Direct PLUS Loan is a loan that a parent can utilize to help pay for a student's educational expenses. This loan is for parents of dependent, undergraduate students who have an official FAFSA on file for the academic year in which the parent wishes to borrow the loan, confirmed enrollment of at least half time (six credits or more) and maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as required by the University. These loans are processed through the U.S. Department of Education. Parents must be credit-worthy and have no adverse credit history.

An eligible parent can borrow up to the cost of attendance (COA) for the academic year, minus any other financial aid the student receives.

If a parent is NOT approved for this loan, the student will be eligible to receive more loan funds in a Direct Unsubsidized Loan (amount varies by student status). Students will be notified of any additional loan funds via University e-mail.

Parents can submit a credit check and the Master Promissory Note (MPN) online. This Department of Education website requires the parent to use his/her Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) to access the website for a credit check. It is very important that after completing the credit check application the MPN is completed immediately. If both applications are not complete when the loan is approved, the university will be unable to process the loan.

Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after 7/1/24 and before 7/1/25 will have an interest rate of 9.08%.

Yes, there is a 4.228% (effective October 1, 2020) loan origination fee on all Direct PLUS Loans.

When a parent receives your Direct PLUS Loan, he/she will be contacted by the loan's servicer. The loan servicer will provide regular updates on the status of the Direct PLUS Loan and will provide information on how and when to repay the loan. 

Payments are generally required on this loan while the student is in school and will begin after the loan is fully disbursed for the year; however, payments can be deferred until six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or is enrolled for less than six credits, only after the payment deferment has been approved by the loan servicer. If payments are deferred during the in-school period and/or the six-month post-enrollment period, parents will receive quarterly interest statements and have the option to pay the accrued interest. Unpaid accrued interest will be capitalized (added to the principal loan balance) at either the end of the in-school deferment or, if taken, the end of the six-month post-enrollment deferment, increasing the overall loan costs.

Read more about loan servicers

Estimate Monthly PLUS Loan Payments

Alternative student loans are available to assist students in covering any financial gap that may exist between their educational costs (cost of attendance) and the amount of financial aid they are receiving. There are many types of alternative student loans and each is calculated with different interest rates and repayment terms, which vary, depending on the borrower and cosigner's credit-worthiness. Students and families should review their finances to determine which financing option best fits their borrowing needs. Most undergraduate students usually require a credit-worthy cosigner to obtain the best rate and loan benefits.

Fairfield University does not have a preferred lender list for alternative student loans, nor can we recommend specific lenders. However, ELM Select, a service provided by ELM Resources, can assist students with what is likely one of the most important tasks in the financial aid process. ELM Select is an online lender comparison resource that provides free and extensive loan options. This service has several features that can help students make the financing decision that best fits their financial needs. It also provides a wealth of information regarding borrower rights, responsibilities, and loan repayment.

Search for an Alternative Student Loan

Note: This loan process can take at least three to four weeks to complete. Please apply as early as possible to allow for this processing time.

Fairfield University participates in the Direct Loan Program and does not have a preferred lender list. Fairfield University abides by all principles outlined in the CT Code of Conduct.