Direct Loans for Graduate Students

¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder participates in the Federal William D. Ford Direct Loan program (known as Direct or Stafford Loans). The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. You are automatically considered for a Direct Loan after submitting your FAFSA.

Less than full-time enrollmentÌý

Starting July 1, 2026,Ìýfederal student loan amounts will be prorated if you enroll less than full time. You must enroll at least half timeÌý(3 credit hours for graduates; 5 credit hours for law)Ìýeach semester to receive federal student loans.ÌýCheck your enrollment status.

Loan Features

  • Unsubsidized; interest begins to accrue on the loan as soon as it is disbursed.
  • Loan origination fee is 1.057%.
  • Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate, drop below half time or withdraw. Learn more about of your student loans at FederalStudentAid.gov.

Fixed Interest Rates

Date of First DisbursementInterest Rate
7/1/25 to 6/30/267.94%
7/1/24 to 6/30/258.08%
7/1/23 to 6/30/247.05%

Loan Limits

New borrowersÌý

Graduate students:ÌýFirst-time borrowers after July 1,Ìý2026ÌýareÌýlimited to $20,500 per year. Total aggregate borrowing limit per student is $100,000.Ìý

Professional degree:ÌýFirst-time borrowers after July 1,Ìý2026ÌýareÌýlimited to $50,000 per year.ÌýTotal aggregate borrowing limit per student is $200,000.Ìý

Effective July 1, 2026, new borrowers who are both graduate and professional students at some point in their educational careers may only borrow up to $200,000 in total toward their graduate and professional degree programs.Ìý

Repeat borrowersÌý

If you previously borrowed federal loans while enrolled in your degree program at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder, your borrowing limitÌýshouldn’tÌýchange in July. Graduate and Professional students who are continuing borrowers should continue to have anÌýannualÌýloan limit of $20,500 and aÌýlifetimeÌýloan limit of $138,500.Ìý

Certain factors, like enrollment or degree program changes, couldÌýimpactÌýyourÌýlegacyÌýloan provisions.ÌýLearn more about these changes.Ìý

How to Apply

  1. Complete
  2. Accept the loan online (view instructions)
  3. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling online at

Important Note: Loans must be processed by our office by the last day the student is enrolled in at least 3 credit hours.Ìý

  1. Complete
  2. Accept the loan online (view instructions)

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