Federal Stafford Loans
More Stafford Info
Credits required for grade level advancement with program maximums (.doc)
The University of Detroit Mercy participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Programs. All Stafford, PLUS and Grad PLUS loans will be processed through the Federal Direct Loan Program. How to apply for Stafford loan
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most students who apply will qualify for a subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford.
- Summer semester Stafford requires the FAFSA and a UDM summer aid application.
Actions YOU must take to receive your Stafford Loan funds
- New for 2012-2013 - You must be an undergraduate student.
- You must be enrolled at least half-time.
- You must accept your loans in TitanConnect.
- You must complete a Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). The Stafford MPN is good for ten years, provided at least one Stafford Loan is disbursed to you within the first 12 months after signing.
- If you are a first time borrower, you must complete an Entrance Interview.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid.
Difference between subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford
| Subsidized Direct Stafford | Unsubsidized Direct Stafford | |
| Interest | The federal government pays the interest on a subsidized loan while you are in school at least half-time, so the student has no interest payable or accruing while in school. After the student drops below half-time or leaves school, there is a one-time grace period of six months. The grace period interest subsidy has been temporarily suspended for disbursements made on or after July 1, 2012 and before July 1, 2014. | Interest does accrue on an unsubsidized Stafford while you are in school. You may choose to pay interest while in school in order to avoid "paying interest on interest" (capitalizing interest). |
| Interest Rate for loans borrowed from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 | Interest rate fixed at 4.5%, once the loan goes into repayment. The interest rate for graduate students is 6.8%. | Interest rate fixed at 6.8%, begins to accrue with final disbursement. |
| Interest Rate for loans borrowed from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 | Interest rate fixed at 3.4%, once the loan goes into repayment. The interest rate for graduate students is 6.8%. | Interest rate fixed at 6.8%, begins to accrue with final disbursement. |
| Interest Rate for loans borrowed from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 | Interest rate is fixed at 6.8%, but will not accrue interest until the loan enters a grace period. This loan is only available to undergraduate students. | Interest rate is fixed at 6.8%, begins to accrue with final disbursement. |
| Loan Fees | Stafford Loans require a 1.0% origination fee. | Stafford Loans require a 1.0% origination fee. |
| Repayment | 10 to 25 years | 10 to 25 years |
Disbursement
Funds are generally disbursed to student accounts at the beginning of each semester. Once the student account is paid in full, any remaining funds are disbursed to the student.
Repayment and consolidation
When you near graduation (or drop below half-time) you will be given information on loan repayment and consolidation. This is referred to Exit Counseling or Exit Interview.
