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Federal Loans

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Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are low-interest loans for students to help pay for the cost of higher education after high school. You are not required to accept any loans and we will not process the loans unless you accept them. Keep in mind that student loans must be repaid. View interest rates and origination fees at  Student Aid , interest rates are updated yearly on July 1st.

Once you graduate, withdrawal from school or you cease half-time enrollment you will begin a six-month grace period and then begin repayment. There are several repayment plans to choose from once you are in repayment.

Federal Direct Loan Eligibility Requirements

  1. Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other supporting documents, if required
  2. Must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen (permanent resident) of the United States
  3. You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate or professional program
  4. Your enrollment status must be at least half-time (the equivalent of 6 units)
  5. Not be in default on a prior federal student loan or exceed annual and lifetime borrowing limits (see end of the page for more details)
  6. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

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

    • 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 Counseling and the Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) 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 are Loan Funds Disbursed?

Loan funds are sent via to the University for application to the student's campus account. Typically accepted loan funds are divided evenly, so half the funding is provided for the Fall semester and the other half is provided for the Spring semester. 

Once the funding has been sent to the University, the Office of Financial Aid will again verify the student's eligibility for payment. Funds will then be applied to the student's remaining campus balance, this would include Campus Tuition and Fees, as well as CSUF On-Campus Housing Charges.

Once the student's account has been paid in full, Student Business Services (SBS) will mail a check or direct deposit for the remainder to the student. For secure and quicker processing of refunds, we encourage students to enroll in Direct Deposit.

Federal Direct Loan Repayment

Your loan will be assigned to a loan servicer after your loan amount is first disbursed (paid out). Your loan servicer will contact you after that and will provide regular updates on the status of your Federal Direct Loan and will provide you with information on how and when to repay your loan. You’ll make payments to your loan servicer using one of several repayment plans available to Federal Direct Loan borrowers. 

You can learn more about repayment options here. 

Undergraduate Direct Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

  • Available to undergraduate students, must have financial need as determined by FAFSA
  • Maximum loan eligibility is based on your year in college
  • If your loans are subsidized, you are not responsible for paying the interest that accrues while you’re in school
  • Payments begin 6 months after you graduate, stop attending or fall below half-time status
  • The interest rate for a federal student loan varies depending on
    • the loan type and
    • the first disbursement date of the loan (for most types of federal student loans).
  • View interest rates and origination fees at Student Aid, as they are updated yearly.
  • Complete both the Loan Entrance Counseling and the Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  • Not need based
  • Interest begins to accrue on the date the loan is first disbursed.
  • View interest rates and origination fees at Student Aid, they are updated yearly
  • Payments begin 6 months after you graduate, stop attending or fall below half-time status
  • The interest rate for a federal student loan varies depending on 
    • the loan type and
    • the first disbursement date of the loan (for most types of federal student loans)
  • The student can choose to pay the interest while enrolled or upon entering repayment
  • Complete both the Loan Entrance Counseling and the Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Parent PLUS Direct Loan

Government-insured, credit-based loan program for parents of dependent undergraduate student. Approval for the PLUS loan is based on the credit-worthiness of the borrower. In the event of a credit-denial, Federal Student Aid's PLUS Loan Information details the options available for obtaining a PLUS Loan.

Interest is charged during all periods. Generally, PLUS Loan enters repayment 60 days after the loan has been fully disbursed. Various options are available to postpone payment; refer to Student Aid's Direct PLUS Loan Information for additional details.

To be eligible the parent needs to meet the following conditions: 

  • Must be a biological or adoptive parent of a dependent undergraduate student. 
  • In addition to the parent borrower passing a basic credit check, the student must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
  • The maximum PLUS loan amount you can borrow is up to the Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid awarded to the student.
  • Any amount in excess of university charges through the Parent PLUS Loan will be issued as a refund to the parent.
  • Dependent undergraduate students: If your parent is unable to secure a PLUS loan, you may be eligible for additional Unsubsidized loans to help pay for your education.

How to Apply | Parent

  1. Log onto  Student Aid| The parent must log in using their FSA ID and Password Credential
  2. Complete the Parent PLUS Loan application, which includes a credit check
  3. Parent will be notified if they are approved or denied instantly after applying
  4. If approved, complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) | Using your (the Parent) credential to sign in.
  5. Complete CSUF Federal Direct PLUS Application 

Parent PLUS Loan is Denied

You may still receive a PLUS Loan via one of these two options:

  1. Obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. The endorser cannot be the student the parent borrower is borrowing for. The parent can reapply with a endorser (co-signer).
  2. Provide document to the U.S. Department of Education's satisfaction extenuating circumstance relation to your adverse credit history (appeal).

If approved with an endorser or appeal, parent borrower must complete the PLUS Credit Counseling.

Students with Parents denied for the Parent PLUS Loan not pursuing endorser

If a parent borrower is unable to secure a PLUS loan, the undergraduate dependent student may be eligible for additional Unsubsidized loans to help pay for their education. The dependent student would need to provide the CSUF Parent PLUS Application and select "Please offer my student additional Unsubsidized Loan." The additional Unsubsidized loan would be offered, and student will need accept through their Student Portal.

Graduate Federal Direct Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  • Not need based
  • Interest begins to accrue on the date the loan is first disbursed.
  • View interest rates and origination fees at Student Aid, they are updated yearly
  • Payments begin 6 months after you graduate, stop attending or fall below half-time status
  • The interest rate for a federal student loan varies depending on 
    • The loan type and
    • The first disbursement date of the loan (for most types of federal student loans)
  • The student can choose to pay the interest while enrolled or upon entering repayment
  • Complete both the Loan Entrance Counseling and the Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Government-insured, credit-based loan program for Graduate Students. Approval for the PLUS loan is based on the credit-worthiness of the borrower. In the event of a credit-denial, Federal Student Aid's PLUS Loan Information details the options available for obtaining a PLUS Loan.

  • Is available to graduate student in a degree seeking program.
  • The student must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
  • Credit based loan.
  • Disbursement requires the student be enrolled in half-time, (the equivalent of 6 units)
  • The maximum PLUS loan amount you can borrow is up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid awarded to the student.
  • If a student's credit is denied, visit Student Aid for additional options. 

How to Apply | Graduate PLUS Loan

  1. Log onto  Student Aid 
  2. Complete the Graduate PLUS Loan Application, which includes a credit check.
  3. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN). 
  4. Complete Entrance Loan Counseling for Graduate Student.
  5. Complete  CSUF Federal Direct PLUS Application. 

Graduate PLUS Loan is Denied

You may still receive a PLUS Loan via one of these two options:

  1. Obtaining an endorser who does not have an  adverse credit history. The Graduate Student can reapply with a endorser (co-signer).
  2. Provide document to the U.S. Department of Education's satisfaction extenuating circumstance relation to your adverse credit history (appeal).

If approved with an endorser or appeal, Graduate Student borrower must complete the  PLUS Credit Counseling.

How Much Can I Borrow? Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits

There are annual limits on the amount in subsidized and unsubsidized loans that you may be eligible to receive each academic year 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 and your dependency status.

For further detail regarding aggregates, visit Student Aid. 

Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits
Year Depedent Students (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans) Independent Students (and dependent undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)
First-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit $5,500-No more than $3,500 of this amount may bein subsidized loans. $9,500-No more than $3,500 of this amount may be subsidized loans.
Second-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit $6,500-No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.  $10,500-No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Third Year and Beyond Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit $7,500 per year-No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $12,500-No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Graduate or Professional Student Annual Loan Limit Not Applicable (all graduate and professional degree students are considered independent). $20,500 (unsubsidized only).
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Aggregate Loan Limit $31,000-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $57,500 for undergraduates-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$138,500 for graduate or professional students. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

 

Visit our FAQ's for a full list of commonly asked questions regarding loans.