Applying for financial aid at the University of Strathclyde
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program
Student loans provided by the U.S. Department of Education to enable a student to pay for education after high school. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at participating schools. Direct Loans include the following types of federal student loans:
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Direct Plus Loans
Student Federal Aid have more information on your rights and responsibilities in respect of Title IV lending.
To receive aid, including Federal Direct Stafford and Plus Loans, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- must be a student enrolled or accepted for enrolment in an eligible programme at an eligible institution
- must have a high school diploma
- must be enrolled and on campus at least half-time for the period for which the loan is originated
- must comply with the University's satisfactory academic progress policy
- must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security number
- must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year
- must not be in default on an educational loan and must not owe a repayment on an adjusted federal grant
- studying on an eligible Bachelors, Masters or PhD programme
The University of Strathclyde is not approved to certify loans for students wishing to study:
- Certificate and Diploma Programmes
- programmes with study less than half time
- Distance Learning or online programmes
- programmes with Study Abroad – for study located outside of the USA, the institution does not have to be approved to participate in the Federal Aid (Title IV)
- programme where the institution meets the definition of Foreign Schools. For study located in the USA, the institution must be a participating and approved Federal Aid (Title IV) School. The study abroad period must account for no more than 25% of the total length of the programme of study. Please check this with the Student Finance Team prior to accepting a study abroad place: federal-loans-admin@strath.ac.uk
MChem Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - MChem with Drug Discovery
- BSc Software Engineering
- Meng Computer Science
- BSc Sports & Physical Activity
- BSc Speech and Language Pathology
- BA Hons Social Work
- MSc Urban Policy
- BA Hons Primary Education
- Degree studied via collaborative/partner institutions
If your programme is ineligible for Direct Loans, you can apply for a Private Loan. Please see section covering Private Loans.
Enrolment status
You must be enrolled and continue to be enrolled at least half-time at the University of Strathclyde to remain eligible for Federal Loans.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students attending the University of Strathclyde and who are in receipt of Federal Aid are required to make satisfactory progress in their degree program. We are required by the US Department of Education to check the progress of students. We will do this prior to releasing the second and third disbursements and for students returning to the next year of their course.
Full details of the SAP process and the procedures to be followed if a student fails to meet SAP requirements are outlined in our SAP policy (Word doc).
How to apply
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
You will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You should apply online at Federal Student Aid FAFSA Application.
- Our school code is G09808. If you are unsure how to fill out your FAFSA, Federal Student Aid provides details on Filling Out the FAFSA Form.
- You will need an FSA ID. The FSA ID allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access Federal Student Aid (FSA) websites.
- If you do not already have a FSA ID, you can create an FSA ID.
Completing your FAFSA generates a Student Aid Report (SAR) that is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Continuing students need to complete a renewal FAFSA every year. Email the Student Finance team at federal-loans-admin@strath.ac.uk when you have completed the above. Please confirm your application number in all correspondence.
Note: from May onwards, the Student Finance team will email you a cost of attendance to inform you of the amount and types of loans you are eligible to borrow and confirm the documents we require you to complete.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
You may borrow up to an amount equal to your Cost of Attendance (COA) less any scholarships that you have been awarded (from any source). The COA consists of
- tuition fees
- living expenses - (please see below for maximum cost of attendance 23/24)
Undergraduate
| Item | Weekly | Number of weeks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 185 | 36 | 6,660 |
| Food | 65 | 36 | 2,340 |
| Utilities | 50 | 36 | 1,800 |
| Travel expenses | 25 | 36 | 900 |
| Personal | 70 | 36 | 2,520 |
| Flight home, two per year | not applicable | not applicable | 2,000 |
| Books/computer equipment | not applicable | not applicable | 800 |
| Total (year 2 onwards) | not applicable | not applicable | 17,020 |
| Visa Health charge (year 1 only) | not applicable | not applicable | 2,478 |
| Total | not applicable | not applicable | 19,498 |
Postgraduate
| Item | Weekly | Number of weeks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 185 | 52 | 9,620 |
| Food | 65 | 52 | 3,380 |
| Utilities | 50 | 52 | 2,600 |
| Travel expenses | 25 | 52 | 1,300 |
| Personal | 70 | 52 | 3,640 |
| Flight home, two per year | not applicable | not applicable | 2,000 |
| Books/computer equipment | not applicable | not applicable | 900 |
| Total (year 2 onwards) | not applicable | not applicable | 23,440 |
| Visa Health charge (postgraduate taught year 1 only) | not applicable | not applicable | 1,068 |
| Total (year 1 postgraduate taught) | not applicable | not applicable | 24,508 |
| Visa Health charge (postgraduate research year 1 only) | not applicable | not applicable | 2,008 |
| Total (year 1 postgraduate research) | not applicable | not applicable | 25,448 |
We will use a theoretical exchange rate of 1.35 to calculate 2023/24 Cost of Attendance amounts. Regulations allow us to set the theoretical exchange rates to convert GBP costs to USD values. This is to allow for volatility in the exchange rate as the year progresses.
The US Department of Education does not allow additional lending for a spouse. If you have dependent children the regulations will allow for the cost of childcare whilst you are attending your studies. Please note, that this is the only cost allowed for dependents.
Contact federal-loans-admin@strath.ac.uk if you have dependents and need to include the cost of registered childcare in your Cost of Attendance.
Completing documents
- Entrance Counselling: the U.S. Department of Education requires first-time borrowers of the federal Direct Loan to complete a loan Entrance Counselling session before loans can be originated and funds disbursed. Parents are not required to complete Entrance Counselling for a Direct Parent Plus Loan. Please note that new students to the University will also require to complete Entrance Counselling
- MPN (Master Promissory Note): for subsidised and/or unsubsidised Stafford loans
- MPN (Master Promissory Note): for Graduate/Parent Plus loans
- Credit check: if you or your parent is applying for a plus loan, you or the parent must complete Applying for a Plus Loan section. This should automatically trigger a credit check. Please note that to obtain a plus loan the decision must be 'Accepted.'
Continuing students follow the same process as above without entrance counselling.
Types of loans
The Direct Loan Program offers the following types of loans:
- Subsidised: these are loans awarded to eligible undergraduate students based on financial need. The information you supply on your FAFSA is used to calculate your EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Your EFC and any EFA (Estimated Financial Assistance, i.e. scholarships, other funding) with be deducted from your Cost of Attendance to determine your Financial Need. The US government will pay the interest on a subsidised loan while you are enrolled at least half time or during a grace or deferment period.
- Unsubsidised: not based on financial need. These loans are available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. While studying at least half time or during deferment or grace periods you have the option of paying the interest or having it capitalised and added to the total value of the loan, therefore, increasing the amount you need to repay.
- Direct Graduate Plus Loan: the Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan is a federal loan that graduate students with good credit histories may borrow to help pay their educational expenses. A graduate student may borrow up to the total Cost of Attendance less all other financial aid received. Students must have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loan Program before applying for a Graduate/Professional Plus loan.
- Direct Parent Plus Loan: parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow a Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan and can borrow up to the total Cost of Attendance minus all other sources of financial aid their student receives. Plus loan borrowers cannot have an adverse credit history (a credit check will be done).
- Private Loan: the University does not recommend any private lender. As far as we are aware there is only one private lender that makes loans available to US citizens receiving their degree at a foreign school. There is more information on The GEMS Smart Option Loan by Sallie Mae.
Note: Students who are eligible for Federal Student Aid should complete the FAFSA and exhaust all federal loans and scholarship opportunities, before applying for a private alternative loan. Federal student loans generally have more favourable terms and conditions than private loans. We recommend that you utilise all federal loan eligibility before turning to private loans.
Loan limits
The maximum amount you can borrow each year in Direct Subsidised and Unsubsidised Loans depends on your grade level. It also depends on whether you are a dependent student or an independent student. The following table shows the maximum amount of money you may borrow each academic year in Direct Subsidised and Unsubsidised Loans. It also shows the total or aggregate amount you may borrow:
| Year of study | Annual subsidised | Annual total combined loans (Subscribed and Unsubscribed) | Aggregate subsidised | Aggregate combined total (Subscribed and Unsubscribed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Dependent Students (unless your parent is unable to obtain a Direct Plus Loan) | ||||
| Year 1 | $3,500 | $5,500 | $23,000 | $31,000 |
| Year 2 | $4,500 | $6,500 | $23,000 | $31,000 |
| Year 3+ | $5,500 | $7,500 | $23,000 | $31,000 |
| Undergraduate Independent Students (and dependent students, if your parent is unable to obtain a Direct Plus Loan) | ||||
| Year 1 | $3,500 | $9,500 | $23,000 | $57,500 |
| Year 2 | $4,500 | $10,500 | $23,000 | $57,500 |
| Year 3+ | $5,500 | $12,500 | $23,000 | $57,500 |
| Graduates & Professional Students | ||||
| All years | $0 | $20,500 | $0 | $138,500 (not more than $65,000 can be subsidized; includes subsidized and unsubsidized loan received for Undergraduate study) |
If you receive a Federal Student Loan, you will be required to pay that loan with interest. View interest rates for federal student loans and how interest is calculated.
Loan disbursement
Once your loans have been certified you will receive confirmation in writing of the amounts and disbursement dates. This confirmation may be used as proof of funding for Visa purposes.
The first disbursement takes place in mid-September for most students and funds will be requested from the US Department of Education only when you have registered. Please ensure you bring enough funds to cover your initial living costs for the first few weeks until your UK bank account is set up.
Disbursement of Federal Loans
Loan payments will be paid directly to the University via Western Union and converted into UK currency (GBP). In accordance with US Department of Education regulations, your loan will then be paid to you in two or three equal instalments according to the dates on your award letter:
- Undergraduate Students: 2 instalments – Mid-September and beginning of February
- PG Taught Students: 3 instalments – Mid-September, beginning of February and beginning of June
- PG Research Students: 2 instalments - October and beginning of April
- PGT Taught students (January start): three instalments – Mid-January, beginning of May and beginning of September
Before each disbursement, the US Department of Education deducts their origination (loan) fees from students' Direct Loan(s). Find out more about Federal interest rates and fees for student loans.
The Student Finance Team will advise you in writing of the breakdown of your disbursement. The University will deduct your tuition fees for the academic year in equal instalments from each disbursement. If you are in University accommodation, the University will deduct your accommodation fees from each disbursement. Thereafter any balance will be paid to your UK bank account (if set up) via Western Union or by draft.
Exit counselling
Complete exit counselling
Exit counselling provides important information to prepare you to repay your federal student loans. Students coming to the end of their studies are required to complete Exit Counselling for each type of Federal US Loan borrowed. This is a condition of your loan terms
The Student Finance Team will email you to remind you to complete exit counselling and ask you to confirm once you have completed exit counselling.
You are required to complete exit counselling if you drop to less than half time, withdraw from your studies or complete your studies.
Tax forms and information on deferment
1098T Forms
As a foreign institution, the University of Strathclyde does not complete 1098T forms. If you need a Certificate of fees paid please contact fee-invoicing@strath.ac.uk
Loan deferment
If you are taking US federal loans at Strathclyde in the current academic year, we will automatically report your enrolment on the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS) so that repayment of previous US loans can be deferred. If you are a student not currently, taking Federal Loans please advise the Student Finance team at federal-loans-admin@strath.ac.uk if you wish to be reported on the NSLDS for deferment purposes. If you are a student requiring a paper loan deferment form to be completed please forward the form to Student Finance Team at federal-loans-admin@strath.ac.uk
Title IV Consumer Policies and Disclosure Information
The US Department of Education requires institutions of higher education to establish policies relating to the processing of U.S. Federal Aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Withdrawal procedure
US Department of Education: R2T4 (pdf)
Absence and voluntary suspension/transfer and exchanges
It's essential that you advise federal-loans-admin@strath.ac.uk of any change of studies. For example, withdraw, suspend, transfer, or change from full-time to half-time or less than half-time.
The University is required to report any change in your enrolment status. For students who withdraw from their studies, suspend their studies or complete their students earlier than expected, it may be necessary to complete a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation, and arrange for the return of any unearned funds to the US Department of Education.