Student Loan Information

The U.S. Department of Education offers federal direct loans to help degree-seeking students who are enrolled at least half-time to cover the cost of higher education. The federal direct subsidized loan is a need-based loan for undergraduate students where interest is subsidized while the student is enrolled (at least half-time) and during the six-month grace period after leaving school. The federal direct unsubsidized loan is available to all students, regardless of financial need. Interest accrues (or accumulates) on the federal direct unsubsidized loan from the time of disbursement.

The amount of federal direct loans for which a student will qualify is based upon their program, grade level, dependency status, and lifetime limit.

To apply for a federal direct loan, students should complete the FAFSA. After the student's FAFSA is received, a financial aid offer will be issued. Students will have the opportunity to accept to decline the loan(s) offered. First time borrowers are required to complete Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note.

For more information about the federal direct loan program, including information about limits, eligibility requirements, rates, fees, servicers and repayment, please click here.

Since federal loans have limits, some students may need to borrow from other sources to help finance the cost of their education. The University of Dubuque provides the following private student lender list. We encourage students to compare loan offers from multiple lenders since terms and conditions vary greatly. Students may borrow from any private lender, even those not included in our lender list.

The U.S. Department of Education offers federal direct PLUS loans to eligible parents. Eligible parents include the biological or adoptive parent of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program. The parent-borrower must not have an adverse credit history. For more information about the federal direct PLUS loan for Parents program, including information about rates, fees, repayment and application, please click here.

The U.S. Department of Education offers federal direct PLUS loan to eligible graduate or professional students. To be eligible, the graduate or professional student must be enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree and must not have an adverse credit history. For more information about the federal direct PLUS loan for Graduate student, including information about rates, fees, application and repayment, please click here.