Types of Loans

Subsidized Direct Loan

This is a need-based program available to students in undergraduate, credential or post-baccalaurate programs where the government pays the loan interest while the student is enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis. Loan repayment begins 6-months after a student graduates, withdraws from school, or drops below half-time enrollment (6 or more units for all academic careers and programs).

Interest Rates:

*Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, graduate students will only be eligible for the Unsubsidized Direct Loans (up to $20,500 per academic year).

Current Loan Fee Amounts:

Borrowers of a Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent or Graduate PLUS) are subject to a loan origination fee which is deducted from the gross amount of the loan at the time of disbursement. Visit the Federal Student Aid Website for more information.

Unsubsidized Direct Loan

This is a non need-based loan for which all students are eligible. In this program, interest starts accruing while the student is in school and continues to accrue until the loan has been repaid in-full. The interest may be capitalized to the principle amount borrowed or a student may choose to make payments on the interest while in school. As with the Subsidized Direct Loan, loan repayment begins after a student graduates, withdraws from school, or drops below half-time enrollment (6 units undergraduate, graduate, credential or certificate).

Annual and Aggregate Borrowing Limits

All students are subject to annual and aggregate borrowing limits based on their grade level, degree program, and dependency status. Please select Loan Limits for a complete summary and description of borrowing limits.

Students taking preparatory/pre-requisite course work for official admittance into a graduate/master's program may only receive the Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized loans for a period of 12-consecutive months (1-year) at the 5th -year undergraduate limits: $5,500 Subsidized and $7,000 Unsubsidized.

Key Items for Students to Complete

Students who choose to borrow a Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan must complete the following steps:  Entrance Loan Counseling session and Master Promissory Note (MPN) on file before he/she may be eligible to receive their loan disbursement. More information on these steps may be found here: /financialaid/direct-loan-application-procedures.

Federal Parent PLUS Loan

This is a government-insured loan made by the U.S. Department of Education for parents of undergraduate dependent students. This program is non need-based and is for dependent students' parents to borrow on behalf of the student. This program requires a separate application process and is based partly on the parents' credit worthiness. Interest is paid by the parent and there is no grace period. Repayment starts within 60-days of the final disbursement of the funds for the given academic year. Parents who wish to begin repayment after the student graduates should contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center . However, parents should note the interest will continue to accrue until the loan has been repaid in-full.

How To Apply
 

Parents and students should complete and submit the Parent PLUS Loan Request Form. All information provided should be printed clearly and legibly. Incomplete Forms and/or forms with information that is un-readable will not be processed. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office reserves the right to certify the Parent PLUS Loan for the requested amount or up to the student's annual Cost of Attendance (COA) less any other aid the student has been awarded (i.e. grants, loans, scholarships). Parent applicant is required to complete a Master Promissory Note. 
 

Disbursement of the Parent PLUS Loan

Parents who complete and submit the Parent PLUS Request Form provide authorization for PLUS loan funds to pay any outstanding University charges on the student's account (i.e. registration, housing, etc.). Any PLUS funds “ in excess” of University charges will be mailed to the parent borrower.  Parents may then use the excess funds to assist the student with his/her other educational and living expenses.

Contact Information for the CSULA Disbursement Office and the Direct Loan Servicing Center.

CSU Los Angeles Disbursement Office:
5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles CA 90032
Phone: (323) 343-3630

Direct Loan Servicing Center
Phone: (800) 848-0979

Direct Loan Servicing Online

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

This is a government-insured loan made by the U.S. Department of Education to students pursuing a graduate/master's degree. As with the Parent PLUS Loan, approval is based on credit worthiness. This program is non need-based and is intended to assist graduate students with meeting his/her educational related expenses not covered by other financial aid grants, loans or scholarships. Interest is paid by the student and there is no grace period. Repayment starts within 60-days of disbursement of the funds. Students who wish to defer repayment until after he/she graduates may contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center. However, students should note the interest will continue to accrue until the loan has been repaid in-full.

How To Apply

Students should complete and submit the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Request Form. Information provided should be printed clearly and legibly. Incomplete request forms or forms with information that is un-readable will be returned. The Financial Aid Office will certify the GRAD PLUS loan for students who have already fully accepted their Direct Unsubsidized loans up to the maximum annual limit of $20,500. The Financial Aid Office will certify the loan up to the requested amount or up to the student's annual Cost of Attendance (COA) less any other aid the student has been awarded (i.e. other grants, loan, or scholarships).

Disbursement of the Graduate PLUS Loan

Students who complete and submit the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Request Form provide authorization for the GRAD PLUS loan funds to pay any outstanding University charges on their account (i.e. registration, housing, etc.). Any GRAD PLUS funds “in excess” of University charges will be mailed to the student borrower by the Disbursement Office. Students may then use the excess funds to assist with his/her other educational and living expenses.