Financial Assistance

Federal Stafford Loans

Stafford loans are made available to students attending college on at least a half-time basis through the Federal Family Education Loan program (through which private lending institutions provide funds).

Within these programs there are two types of loans-subsidized loans (those subsidized by the federal government) and unsubsidized loans. A student may qualify for one or both, depending upon eligibility. The loan amounts for which students qualify increase as they progress through their academic programs.

Repayment is made in installments, generally beginning six months after a student leaves school or from the point his or her enrollment status falls below half time. The federal government pays interest on the subsidized loan until repayment begins and during authorized periods of deferment. Students with unsubsidized loans are charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.