Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

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

Unsubsidized loans are low-interest loans available to students to help pay for the cost of higher education after high school. Federal student loans can help fill the gap between grants and or scholarships and the cost to attend school. You are not required to accept the offered loans and we will not process the loans unless you accept them. Keep in mind that student loans must be repaid.

You can manage your Federal loan history on studentaid.govOpens in new window , where you will have a single point of contact and online access to your Direct Loan account information. Once you graduate, withdraw from school or you cease half-time enrollment you can opt for a six-month grace period and then begin repayment. There are several repayment plans to choose from once you are in repayment.

Important Note

  1. All Graduate students are required to be enrolled in 6 units for the loans to disburse.

  2. Graduate students taking 500 level course(s) that are considered 4 units, meet the 6 units requirement for loan disbursement.

*500 level courses are weighed at 1.5 times. Independent study course(s); the units are not weighed 1.5 times.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAOpens in new window ) 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).

Unsubsidized Loan

  1. Not need based

  2. Maximums based on grade level

  3. Federal government does not pay interest

  4. Interest rate is fixed

  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 Federal Direct 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

    • 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 Opens 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 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.

 

Academic Year Loan Maximums

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. 

Academic Year

Subsidized

Unsubsidized

Graduate/Professional

N/A

$20,500

Aggregate Loan Limits

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

Aggregate Limits

Subsidized Only

Subsidized and
Unsubsidized Combined

Graduate/Professional*

$65,500

$138,500

Loan Servicers

You may find your loan servicer by logging into the Federal Student Aid website Opens 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 Aid Opens in new window .