Graduate students
US students can apply for student loans through the US Government's Direct Loan Program.
The application process is different than for students attending a school in the US. Please make sure that you submit everything needed to process your application.
How to apply
To receive your loan funding by the first week of classes, apply at least one month before the start of the term.
Stafford Loan
- Complete a US Loan Request Form (458KB PDF). Instructions for submitting it are indicated on the form.
- Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentloans.gov.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. UBC's Title IV school code is G08369.
- Complete Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov, if this is your first time receiving a Stafford Loan at UBC.
Graduate PLUS loan
- Complete a US Loan Request Form (458KB PDF). Instructions for submitting it are indicated on the form. If you are applying for Stafford funding at the same time, please submit one US Loan Request Form indicating your request for both funding types.
- Complete a PLUS Application at www.studentloans.gov. This step involves a credit check.
- Complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentloans.gov.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. UBC's Title IV school code is G08369.
- Complete Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov, if this is your first time receiving a Graduate PLUS Loan at UBC.
Please note: To receive PLUS loan funding, graduate students must have an assessed financial need beyond the maximum Stafford Loan funding ($20,500). Graduate students can apply for both Stafford and Grad PLUS loans at the same time, but must indicate a request for maximum Stafford funding on the US Loan Request form.
Loan maximums
Stafford loan maximums
Loan maximums apply to the entire academic year (September to August).
| Graduate students | Funding limit |
|---|---|
| All years of study | $20,500 (unsubsidized)* |
*For study periods beginning after July 1, 2012, Graduate students are no longer eligible for Subsidized Stafford loan funding.
Graduate PLUS loan maximums
There are no set maximums for Graduate PLUS loans. However, your Graduate PLUS loan will only cover your cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid.
| Example | Total |
|---|---|
| Cost of attendance (books, tuition, living allowance) | $24,560 |
| Other financial aid (e.g., scholarships, Stafford loans) | $20,500 |
| Eligible Graduate PLUS loan amount | $4,060 |
After you apply
- Read our After you apply page, so that you know what happens next.
- Ensure that your email address is current on your Student Service Centre (SSC) account.
Direct Loan Program
The Direct Loan Program is a government student loan program through which the US Federal Government provides loan funding to post-secondary students.
Stafford Loans
- Subsidized loans: For study periods beginning after July 1, 2012, Graduate students are no longer eligible for Subsidized Stafford loan funding.
- Unsubsidized loans: Interest is charged from the date the funds are provided. You can choose to either pay the interest while you are in school or have it added to the principal balance of your loan.
The amount you are able to borrow cannot exceed either the yearly borrowing limit or your formally assessed cost of attendance. For yearly borrowing limits, see the loan maximums above.
Graduate PLUS loans
Graduate students can apply for Graduate PLUS loans if they are applying for maximum Stafford funding and require further financial aid. Interest is charged from the date the funds are provided.
Students applying for Graduate PLUS loans must undergo a credit check by the US Federal Government.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Direct Loan, you must:
- be a US citizen, national, US permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen
- be registered as a full- or half-time student in an eligible program at UBC (visiting students and students in online programs are not eligible)
- demonstrate satisfactory academic progress while at UBC
- have a valid Social Security Number
- comply with the US Selective Service System registration requirements
- be in good standing with any previous loans
If you withdraw from study after receiving loan funding, your eligibility for that funding will be withdrawn. UBC will repay your lender with funds from your tuition account and you will be required to repay the amount to UBC.
If your GPA is below 60%, your future loan eligibility will be revoked (until you increase your GPA to at least 60%).
If you have any further questions about US loan funding please contact Student Financial Assistance & Awards.
