Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Federal student loans are issued through the Federal Direct Loan program from the U.S. Department of Education. 

The unsubsidized are low-interest loans for students to help pay for the cost of higher education after high school. You’ll have a single point of contact and online access to your Direct Loan account information. There are several repayment options to choose from once you are in repayment.

You are not required to accept the loan and we will not process the loan unless you accept it. 

Remember, student loans must be repaid. Borrow what you need to fill the gap between grants or scholarships and the cost to attend school.

Important Note

  1. All Graduate are required to enrolled in 6 units for the loan to disburse.

  2. A graduate students taking 500 level or higher course(s) that is considered 4 units, meets the 6 units requirement for a loan disbursement.

*Courses that are 500 level or higher, the units are counted 1.5 times more. Independent study course(s), the units are not counted 1.5 times more.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other supporting documents, if required.
  2. You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate or professional program.
  3. Your enrollment status must be at least half-time, (the equivalent of 6 units).
  4. Must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen (permanent resident) of the United States.

Unsubsidized Loan

  1. Not need based
  2. Maximums based on grade level and dependency status
  3. Federal government does not pay interest
  4. Interest is variable
  5. No obligation to make payments while enrolled at least half-time
  6. Interest accrues and capitalized during periods of enrollment in school and/or in deferment

Interest Rates and Loan Fees

Interest rates are adjusted by Congress annually, with a new rate taking effect each July 1st. Although the interest rate for new loans may change each July 1, the rate received will be fixed for the life of the loan.

In addition to the interest rate, Direct Loans charges an origination fee on all Stafford loans, which is deducted from your loan funds at the time of disbursement.

Please check the student aid websiteOpens in new window for interest rates and loan fees for current and past years.

How to Accept and Decline Loans

  1. Log into your CSUF Portal
  2. Click on Titan Online
  3. Click on Student Homepage
  4. Click on Financial Aid tile and ensure you are in the correct aid year (top left)
  5. Click on Accept/Decline tab on the left side under Awards
  6. Click on the pencil icon to edit Award Decision
  7. Click on the drop-down menu for the loan under Award Decision column then select Accept or Decline
    1. To accept a smaller loan amount, check the Reduce box then enter the new loan amount in the Accepted column
  8. Review then click on Submit button to finalize your loan decision
  9. Complete both the Loan Entrance CounselingOpens in new window and the Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)Opens in new window on Federal Student Aid

Please note: typically, accepted loan amount will be split in half: you will receive half for fall term and the other half will be reserved for spring term.  For example, if you accept a loan amount of $2,000 - you will receive $1,000 for fall term and $1,000 for spring term.  

HOW MUCH CAN I BORROW

There are limits on the amount in subsidized and unsubsidized loans that you may be eligible to receive each academic year (annual loan limits) and the total amounts you may borrow for undergraduate and graduate study (aggregate loan limits).  The actual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year may be less than the annual loan limit. These limits vary depending on your grade level.

ACADEMIC YEAR LOAN MAXIMUMS

Academic Year

Subsidized Unsubsidized

Graduate/Professional

 N/A $20,500

 Graduate/Professional students are only eligible for unsubsidized loan, with an annual limit of $20,500. Other aids that a student may receive can affect the annual amount offer. 

 

AGGREGATE LIMITS

Aggregate Limits

Subsidized Only Subsidized and
Unsubsidized Combined
Graduate/Professional* $65,500 $138,500

*Graduate/Professional student loan aggregate is based on the student's cumulative amount they borrowed throughout the student's Undergraduate, Credential, and Graduate career.

Loan Servicers

You may find your loan servicer by logging into the Federal Student Aid websiteOpens in new window using your federal ID and password. If you forgot your ID or password, you may indicate so on the site, and you will be directed to enter your email to re-set and gain access to your information. If you have any general questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Financial AidOpens in new window .