The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Stafford Direct Loans) Program

The Direct Loan Program is one of the federal student aid programs offered by the Department of Education, which provides students with a simple, inexpensive way to borrow money to pay for education after high school. The Direct Loan program offers unsubsidized Stafford Loans for students pursuing graduate degrees. The first step in the application process is the completion of the FAFSA. After the student’s FAFSA is processed, the Financial Aid Office will review the results and advise the student as to his or her loan eligibility. Before receiving any loan disbursements through the Direct Loan program, every student borrower will have to complete an entrance counseling session and an electronic master promissory note and must be enrolled for at least half-time (6 hours). Once these requirements are complete, the Financial Aid Office will receive electronic confirmation that the information has been completed and funds will be credited to the student’s University account 10 days before the first day of class. When loans are awarded for one semester only the first half is credited first and the second half is credited approximately mid-semester.