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. The loan types, borrowing limits and eligibility criteria are set by the US Department of Education.
Direct Loans include the following types of federal student loans:
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Direct PLUS Loans
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into US law, resulting in significant changes to federal student aid programs. Throughout this page you will see reference to Grandfathered/Legacy and OBBBA/Non-Legacy students, these are defined as shown below:
- Grandfathered/Legacy regulations apply if you were enrolled in a course at the University of Strathclyde before 1 July 2026, and received a federal loan for that course before this date
- OBBBA/Non-Legacy regulations apply if you will be starting a new course at the University of Strathclyde for the 2026-27 academic year, or are a current student who didn't receive a federal loan for your course before 1 July 2026
Eligibility Criteria
To receive aid, including Federal Direct Stafford and Plus Loans, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be enrolled and continue to be enrolled at least half-time at the University of Strathclyde to remain eligible for Federal Loans
- 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 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
- Must comply with the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
- Studying on an eligible Bachelors, Masters or PhD programme
Please note that 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, where the study abroad period exceeds 25% f the total length of the programme of study. Please note that for study located outside of the USA, the institution does not have to be approved to participate in the Federal Aid (Title IV). For study located in the USA, the institution must be a participating and approved Federal Aid (Title IV) School. Please check 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
- Foundation Year Programmes including those with the International Study Centre (ISC)
If your programme is ineligible for Direct Loans, you may be able to apply for a Private Loan. Please see section covering Private Loans.
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.
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.
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 subsidized and/or unsubsidized Stafford loans
- MPN (Master Promissory Note): for Parent PLUS loans and Graduate PLUS loans for Grandfathered students
- 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 Federal Loans
- Subsidized: These are loans awarded to eligible undergraduate students based on financial need. The information you supply on your FAFSA is used to calculate your SAI (Student Aid Index). Your SAI and any OFA (Other 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 subsidized loan while you are enrolled at least half time or during a grace or deferment period.
- Unsubsidized: not based on financial need. These loans are available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. You are responsible for paying the interest of a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. During periods of time when you are not required to make payments—such as while you are in school, in a deferment, or in a forbearance—your interest will accrue (accumulate) and it will in certain instances be capitalized (which means that your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan). Whether your unpaid interest capitalizes or not, you are still responsible for paying the interest that accrues. You can always choose to pay the interest that accrues even when you are not required to make a payment
- Direct Graduate PLUS Loan: Available to Grandfathered/Legacy students only. 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. An eligible 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 PLUS loan.
- Direct Parent PLUS Loan: Parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. PLUS loan borrowers cannot have an adverse credit history (a credit check will be done).
Loan Limits
The maximum amount you can borrow each year in Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans depends on your grade level, whether you are a dependent or an independent student and whether you are a Grandfathered/Legacy student or an OBBBA/Non-Legacy student. The following tables show the maximum amount of money you may borrow each academic year in Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and the maximum Parent PLUS loan the parent of a dependent student may borrow. It also shows the total or aggregate amounts you may borrow depending on whether you are a Grandfathered/Legacy student or an OBBBA/Non-Legacy student:
Grandfathered/Legacy student
Postgraduate
|
Direct Graduate Unsubsidized loan |
Direct Graduate PLUS loan |
|
|
Who is eligible |
Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible graduate courses. |
Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible graduate courses. A credit check is required. |
|
Maximum federal loan amount per year |
$20,500 |
Total amount remaining after all other funding has been deducted from the COA. |
|
Aggregate loan limit (how much you can borrow over your lifetime) |
$138,500 - no more than $65,500 of this may be Direct Subsidized loans. |
No limit |
Undergraduate
|
Direct Subsidized loan and Direct Unsubsidized loan |
Parent PLUS loan |
|
|
Who is eligible |
Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible undergraduate courses. |
Parents (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, step-parent) of dependent undergraduate students on eligible courses. Both the parent and the student must be eligible for federal student aid. A credit check is required. |
|
Available to dependent and independent students who demonstrate financial need. |
||
|
Maximum federal loan amount per year |
Year 1 |
For dependent undergraduate students only. Total amount remaining after all other funding has been deducted from the COA. |
|
Dependent Undergraduate: $5,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Independent Undergraduate: $9,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Year 2 |
||
|
Dependent Undergraduate: $6,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Independent Undergraduate: $10,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized. |
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|
Year 3 and up |
||
|
Dependent Undergraduate: $7,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Independent Undergraduate: $12,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Aggregate loan limit (how much you can borrow over your lifetime) |
Dependent Undergraduate: $31,000 - no more than $23,000 Subsidized loans. |
No limit |
|
Independent Undergraduate: $57,500 - no more than $23,000 Subsidized loans. |
OBBBA/Non-Legacy student
Postgraduate
|
Direct Graduate Unsubsidized loan |
Direct Graduate PLUS loan |
|
|
Who is eligible |
Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible graduate courses. |
No longer available |
|
Maximum federal loan amount per year |
$20,500 |
n/a |
|
Aggregate loan limit |
$100,000 – includes all direct unsubsidized loans received for graduate studies |
n/a |
|
Lifetime maximum Loan limit for student borrowers |
$257,500 in total federal Direct loans regardless of grade level (no more than $23,000 can be subsidized), regardless of any amounts paid or discharged |
n/a |
Undergraduate
|
Direct Subsidized loan and Direct Unsubsidized loan |
Parent PLUS loan |
|
|
Who is eligible |
Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible undergraduate courses. |
Parents (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, step-parent) of dependent undergraduate students on eligible courses. Both the parent and the student must be eligible for federal student aid. A credit check is required. |
|
Available to dependent and independent students who demonstrate financial need. |
||
|
Maximum federal loan amount per year |
Year 1 |
$20,000 per dependent student |
|
Dependent Undergraduate: $5,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Independent Undergraduate: $9,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Year 2 |
||
|
Dependent Undergraduate: $6,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Independent Undergraduate: $10,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Year 3 and up |
||
|
Dependent Undergraduate: $7,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Independent Undergraduate: $12,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized. |
||
|
Aggregate loan limit |
Dependent Undergraduate: $31,000 - no more than $23,000 Subsidized loans. |
$65,000 per dependent student |
Private Loans
A private loan, provided by a non-federal lender, is typically in the student's name and often requires a cosigner. Private loans are credit-based, and applications must be submitted directly to the lender by you and/or your family. Each lender sets its own credit and eligibility criteria, which must be met for approval.
If your programme of study is not eligible for US Federal Student Loans, you may wish to consider private (credit-based) student loans to help cover your university expenses. Even if your programme of study is eligible for Federal Loans, you still have the option to borrow from a private lender up to your cost of attendance.
It is important to carefully compare the terms and conditions of private loans (including the interest rates, fees, and repayment terms) before making a decision.
To find out how much you're eligible to borrow, email us at federal-lonas-admin@strath.ac.uk and let us know that you intend to use private loans. We will provide you with a financial aid package outlining your maximum eligible amount. Once your loan has been approved we will certify your loan and notify you of the expected disbursement dates based on your programme of study. The disbursement date is the date your funds are released by the lender, not the date that you will receive the payment. You should ensure that you have sufficient funds from an alternative source to cover any costs until you receive your payment.
Private loan funds are normally disbursed in 2 or 3 disbursements depending on your level of study (unless requested otherwise) after your programme has started and you have completed online Registration. The University uses a company called Convera to support the private loan payments. Shortly before your disbursement date you will receive an email asking you to upload your banking details to the secure Convera portal. Once the loan funds are received, institutional charges (tuition and University accommodation fees) will be deducted by the University, and any remaining balance will be refunded to you for living expenses.
The University does not have a preferred private loan lender. As far as we are aware there are two private lenders that makes loans available to US citizens receiving their degree at a foreign school, Sallie Mae and Earnest – more information can be found at the following links: Student Loans and Earnest Student Loans Private Student Loans.
Please note private student loans do not enable you to borrow additional US loan funds above your cost of attendance even if you borrow a combination of federal and private loans.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
You may borrow up to an amount up to your Cost of Attendance (COA) less any scholarships that you have been awarded (from any source).
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.
The amount you are eligible to borrow will be shown on the COA in USD. We will use a theoretical exchange rate of 1.45 to calculate 2026/27 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 actual exchange rate is determined by Convera on the day that your loan funds are received.
The COA consists of:
- tuition fees
- living expenses - (please see below for maximum cost of attendance 26/27)
Undergraduate - off campus accommodation
| Item | Weekly | Number of weeks | Total |
| Rent | 220 | 36 | 7,920 |
| Food | 80 | 36 | 2,880 |
| Utilities | 65 | 36 | 2,340 |
| Travel Expenses | 40 | 36 | 1,440 |
| Personal | 85 | 36 | 3,060 |
| Flight home 2 per year | not applicable | not applicable | 2,750 |
| Books/Computer equipment | not applicable | not applicable | 950 |
| Total (year 2 onwards) | not applicable | not applicable | 21,340 |
| Plus for 1st year students only | |||
| Visa | not applicable | not applicable | 558 |
| Health Surcharge (4 year degree) | not applicable | not applicable | 3,492 |
| Total | not applicable | not applicable | 25,390 |
Undergraduate - on campus accommodation
| Item | Weekly | Number of weeks | Total |
| Rent | 182 | 39 | 7,098 |
| Food | 80 | 36 | 2,880 |
| Travel Expenses | 35 | 36 | 1,260 |
| Personal | 85 | 36 | 3,060 |
| Flight home 2 per year | not applicable | not applicable | 2,750 |
| Books/Computer equipment | not applicable | not applicable | 950 |
| Total (year 2 onwards) | not applicable | not applicable | 17,998 |
| Plus for 1st year students only | |||
| Visa | not applicable | not applicable | 558 |
| Health Surcharge (4 year degree) | not applicable | not applicable | 3,492 |
| Total | not applicable | not applicable | 22,048 |
Postgraduate - off campus accommodation
| Item | Weekly | Number of weeks | Total |
| Rent | 220 | 52 | 11,440 |
| Food | 80 | 52 | 4,160 |
| Utilities | 65 | 52 | 3,380 |
| Travel Expenses | 40 | 52 | 2,080 |
| Personal | 85 | 52 | 4,420 |
| Flight home 2 per year | not applicable | not applicable | 2,750 |
| Books/Computer equipment | not applicable | not applicable | 1,050 |
| Total (year 2 onwards) | not applicable | not applicable | 29,280 |
| Plus for 1st year students only | |||
| Visa PGT | not applicable | not applicable | 558 |
| Health Surcharge PGT | not applicable | not applicable | 1,164 |
| Total PGT | not applicable | not applicable | 31,002 |
| Visa PGR | not applicable | not applicable | 558 |
| Health Surcharge PGR | not applicable | not applicable | 3,492 |
| Total PGR | not applicable | not applicable | 33,330 |
Postgraduate - on campus accommodation
| Item | Weekly | Number of weeks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 142 | 51 | 7,242 |
| Food | 80 | 52 | 4,160 |
| Travel Expenses | 35 | 52 | 1,820 |
| Personal | 85 | 52 | 4,420 |
| Flight home 2 per year | not applicable | not applicable | 2,750 |
| Books/Computer equipment | not applicable | not applicable | 1,050 |
| Total (year 2 onwards) | 21,442 | ||
| Plus for 1st year students only | |||
| Visa PGT | not applicable | not applicable | 558 |
| Health Surcharge PGT | not applicable | not applicable | 1,164 |
| Total PGT | not applicable | not applicable | 23,164 |
| Visa PGR | not applicable | not applicable | 558 |
| Health Surcharge PGR | not applicable | not applicable | 3,492 |
| Total PGR | not applicable | not applicable | 25,492 |
Disbursement of Federal Loans
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 early October for most students and funds will be requested from the US Department of Education only when you are fully registered. Please ensure you bring enough funds to cover your initial living costs for the first few weeks until your loan has been released.
Loan payments will be paid directly to the University via Convera and converted into 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 disbursements – End-September/Beginning of October and beginning of February
- PG Taught Students: 3 disbursements – End-September/Beginning of October, beginning of February and beginning of June
- PG Research Students: 2 disbursements – Beginning October and beginning of April
- PGT Taught students (January start): three disbursements – 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.
You will receive a notification advising 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 you via Convera. Shortly before your disbursement date you will receive an email asking you to upload your banking details to the secure Convera portal. If bank details are not provided prior to the disbursement the payment will be converted to a USD draft.
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: This link opens a PDF document.
Please also see below, related policies:
Withdrawal from course
Refund Policy
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.
Withdrawal procedure
US Department of Education: R2T4: This link opens a PDF document
Absence & Voluntary Leave of Absence/transfer & 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.