Federal Direct Loans
Federal Direct Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, are low-interest loans for students to help meet the cost of higher education. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Direct Loans are subsidized and/or unsubsidized, depending on financial need.
Subsidized loans are for undergraduate students and are awarded based on financial need, as determined by the results of your FAFSA. The interest rate for loans borrowed for the 2024 to 2025 academic year is fixed at 6.53%, effective July 1, 2024. Repayment of the principal is deferred until six months after you graduate or cease half-time enrollment. The interest is paid by the government while you are enrolled at least half-time.
Unsubsidized loans are available to all students - undergraduate and graduate - who file the FAFSA, regardless of financial need. The interest rate for 2024 to 2025 loans is fixed at 6.53% for undergraduates and 8.08% for graduate students, as of July 1, 2024. Repayment of the principal is deferred until six months after you graduate or cease half-time enrollment. Interest accrues while enrolled. Deferment is available for interest payments.
Federal Direct loan amounts vary depending on grade level and dependency status. The following chart shows the annual and aggregate limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans:
|
Year |
Dependent Students (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans) |
Independent Students (and dependent 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 be in subsidized loans | $9,500 - No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in 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 - 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 Students Annual Loan Limit | Not applicable (all graduate and professional 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 undergraduate - No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized
loans. $138,500 for graduate or professional students - No more than $65,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study. |
First time borrower at SXU
If you are a first-time Direct Loan borrower at SXU, you must complete your Loan Agreement (MPN) and Entrance Counseling as soon as possible. Sign In using your FSA ID to complete this requirement.
These requirements must be completed in order for your loan proceeds to disburse to your student account at the start of the term.
Entrance Counseling
Complete CounselingExit Counseling
COMPLETE EXIT COUNSELINGGraduating from SXU
Exit Counseling
If you are graduating and have borrowed from the Federal Direct Loan Program while attending SXU, regulations require you to complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling. Sign In using your FSA ID to complete this requirement.
The exit counseling session explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. The process takes about 30 minutes to complete and you will need your driver's license, along with the complete name, address and phone numbers of three references.
Repayment
Loans are financial aid that has to be repaid. Following your separation from school and your grace period, your Federal Direct Loans will enter repayment. Protect your credit by keeping your Loan Servicer up to date with your contact information, in order to avoid missing important information concerning repayment responsibilities.
Federal Direct Loans offer a variety of repayment plan options to best suit each student's needs. Use the Federal Department of Education's Repayment Estimator to help determine the best repayment option for your circumstances. Contact your Loan Servicer to discuss repayment plan options or to change your repayment plan.
Saint Xavier University has partnered with Student Connections (PDF) to assist in student loan default management. Students may receive communications from this company as part of our financial literacy program.
Federal Direct Loan Borrowing History
If you would like to review your borrowing history under the Federal Direct Loan Program, select View My Account on Federal Student Aid's Manage Loans page and login using your FSA ID.
All Federal loans borrowed at SXU will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and accessible to authorized guaranty agencies, lenders and schools for determining eligibility and processing purposes. You can utilize the Federal Student Aid's Manage Loans page to monitor your borrowing and track your loan statuses, loan holders, balances and a variety of other options.
Look Up Your Loan
Use the Federal Student Aid's Manage Loans page to review all your Federal student loan information online. You can monitor your loan status until the day your loan is fully repaid.