Frequently Asked Loan Questions
At the University of Mississippi, Federal Direct Loans and Direct PLUS Loans are offered through the Federal Direct Loan Program. The Uniter States Department of Education fund the loan.
2. What is the difference between the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loan?
A Direct Loan is a government-guaranteed loan available to students. There are two types of Direct loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. With a subsidized Direct Loan, the government pays the interest while you’re in school. With an unsubsidized Direct Loan, you are responsible for the interest that accrues while you are in school. You can either elect to pay the interest while you are in school or defer it until after graduation. You should note that if you defer the interest, it will be capitalized upon graduation and will raise the overall cost of your loan.
3. What are some benefits of a Direct Loan?
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It carries low origination fees
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There is no credit check
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Repayment of the loan does not begin until six months after you graduate or drop below half-time status
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The loan is forgiven in case of permanent disability or death
4. How much can I borrow with a Direct Loan?
Your eligibility is determined by the Office of Financial Aid. You will be notified of the exact amount you can borrow in the Financial Aid Award Notification. You can never borrow more than the cost of education, less other financial aid received. Below are the maximum amounts you may borrow.
If dependent, your combined subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loan annual eligibility is as follows:
|
Freshman |
Sophomore |
Junior |
Senior |
Graduate |
|
$5,500 |
$6,500 |
$7,500 |
$7,500 |
N/A |
If independent, your subsidized and unsubsidized Direct annual eligibility is as follows:
|
Freshman |
Sophomore |
Junior |
Senior |
Graduate |
|
|
Subsidized |
$3,500 |
$4,500 |
$ 5,500 |
$ 5,500 |
Not Eligible |
|
Unsubsidized |
$6,000 |
$6,000 |
$ 7,000 |
$ 7,000 |
$20,500 |
|
Total |
$9,500 |
$10,500 |
$12,500 |
$12,500 |
$20,500 |
5. What is the interest rate on a Direct Loan?
Undergraduate students: For Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans with a first disbursement date between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, the interest rate is fixed at 3.73%. For loans with a first disbursement date between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, the interest rate is fixed at 4.99%.
Graduate Students: For the Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan with a first disbursement date between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, the interest rate is fixed at 5.28%. For loans with a first disbursement date between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, the interest rate is fixed at 6.54%.
6. If I do not graduate, do I have to repay my Direct Loan?
Yes. The Direct Loan, like any other loan, must be repaid.
The “lender” is the United States Department of Education makes your student loan funds available to you.
8. What is loan counseling and why must I complete this process?
Loan counseling is required by federal regulations for all first-time borrowers at a school. The session gives an overview of the federal loan program, discussing the types of loans, interest rates, borrower rights and responsibilities, etc. This obligation can be met via online session.
9. How long after I’ve been awarded will I get the promissory note?
An electronic promissory note can be completed online. The student completes the note and submits it back to their lender. Then the lender will send the funds to the student’s account in the Bursar’s Office.
10. What are some of the benefits of Direct PLUS and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans?
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It has no prepayment penalty.
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It has lenient credit criteria, often more lenient than with other types of loans.
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It allows you to keep other assets, such as savings, retirement, and home equity intact.
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It protects your family in case of permanent disability or death. In this case, the loan would be forgiven.
11. How much can I borrow with a Direct PLUS or Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
One can borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid being received. The cost of attendance is determined by the school’s financial aid office, and usually includes tuition, room and board, books, living costs and transportation expenses.
12. What is the interest rate on a Direct PLUS or Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
For loans with a first disbursement date between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, the interest rate is fixed at 6.28%. For loans with a first disbursement date between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, the interest rate is fixed at 7.54%.
13. What if I am turned down for a Direct PLUS Loan?
Your lender will notify both you and the Office of Financial Aid of their credit decision. If you are denied, the Office of Financial Aid will contact you to discuss other borrowing options.
14. Who receives the check for my Direct PLUS Loan?
The money goes to the school, which first applies the funds to the student’s outstanding balance. If a refund is due, it will be mailed or directly deposited to the parent borrower by the Bursar.
15. Why was my loan sent back?
Students must meet certain requirements after their loan funds arrive at the school. If these requirements are not met within a certain time frame, we must return the loan funds.
16. How can I get an In-school Deferment on repayment of my loan?
Request the deferment form from your bank and have our Registrar’s Office complete it, then return it to the bank. Continue to make all payments until the bank sends you confirmation of your deferment.
17. If I am in default on a previous loan, what documents are needed to clear the default?
A letter is required from the agency, or holder of the defaulted loan, stating that the default has been cleared.
18. If I take a leave of absence, do I have to start repaying my loans?
Not immediately. The Federal Direct Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans have a grace period of six months and the Federal Perkins and McKinstry Loans have a grace period of nine months before the student must begin repaying the loan. When you take a leave of absence, you will not have to repay your loan until the grace period is used up. If you use up the grace period, however, you will have to begin repaying your loan immediately when you graduate. It is possible to request an extension to the grace period, but this must be done before the grace period has ended. If your grace period has run out in the middle of your leave, you will have to make a payment on your student loans.