Graduate Federal Stafford Loans

Shawnee State University participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Under this program, graduate students are eligible for the Federal Stafford loan and the Graduate PLUS loan. The Stafford loan program has both subsidized and unsubsidized programs.  The subsidized loan is need-based.  The federal government pays the interest on the subsidized loan while the student is in school and during the six month grace period of the loan.  The unsubsidized loan is interest bearing and the student is responsible for the interest from the time of disbursement. 

The Graduate PLUS loan is a loan that the graduate student can apply for to assist with his/her educational expenses. This loan requires credit approval by the lender.

Federal Stafford loans are payment deferred until six months after graduating, dropping below half time (five hours), or withdrawing from school. The normal repayment period is up to ten years but can be extended through loan consolidation.

To apply for a loan at SSU, the student must:

1. Complete the FAFSA and any verification requirements;

2. Be enrolled for at least 5 credit hours in a degree seeking program; and

3. Be in good academic and financial aid standing.

First time borrowers at SSU and students who change lenders are required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).  The MPN is the loan contract between the student and the lender.  It is the student's promise to repay the loan.  The MPN is good for up to ten years.  The loan will not be certified until the MPN is completed.  

Students who apply for a Grad PLUS loan are required to sign a Grad PLUS MPN.  The loan will not be certified until the MPN is completed.

SSU has selected a lender list for the Federal Stafford loan and the Grad PLUS loan through a lender request for information bid process. These lenders are those who have provided borrowers with efficient, quality service. Students are not required to select a lender from this list. They may choose a lender of their choice.

Federal guidelines require that all students graduating, out of school for two consecutive semesters, or dropping below half time (5 credit hours) complete an exit counseling session.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is available for the student to see their entire loan history including any loans received from other schools.  A student can use the Personal Identification Number (PIN) that they use to apply for the FAFSA on the web to access the NSLDS web site.  

Interest Rates and Fees

Interest rates are fixed at 6.8% on Graduate Stafford loans and 8.5% on Graduate PLUS loans. Stafford loans may have up to a 1% federal origination fee and a 1% default fee deducted from the loan proceeds. Graduate PLUS loans may have up to a 3% federal origination fee and a 1% default fee deducted from the loan proceeds.

Maximum Annual Loan Amounts for Federal Graduate Stafford Loans

Loan amounts are determined by the Federal Government.

Annual Loan Amounts (for loans disbursed after July 1, 2007)

Maximum Aggregate Loan Amounts for Federal Graduate Stafford Loans

Student/Parent Loan Borrower Rights

You have the right to-

• Written information on loan obligation, including loan consolidation and refinancing, and borrowers rights and responsibilities;

• An explanation of default and consequences;

• A copy of the promissory note and return of the note when the loan is paid in full;

• Notification*, if the borrower is in the grace period or in repayment, no later than 45 days after a lender assigns, sells, or transfers his or her Stafford or Federal PLUS loan to another lender, if the result is a change in the party (new holder or servicer of the loan) to whom payments must be sent.  The lender must provide the following information: the identity of the purchasing lender and the name and address of the new lender and servicer, notice of the loan assignment, and the telephone number of both the purchasing and selling lenders and servicers;

• Federal interest benefits, if qualified;

• A grace period, if applicable, and an explanation of what that means;

• Prepayment of loan without penalty;

• Deferment, if the borrower qualifies; and

• Request forbearance (but the lender may not grant it).

*Notification of the change must be made either jointly or separately by the purchasing and selling lenders.  If a borrower is in a grace period or in repayment, the last school the borrower attended may request the following from the guaranty agency before the beginning of the repayment period: notification of the sale, transfer or assignment of the loan to another holder, and the address and telephone number of the new holder. 

Student Loan Borrower Responsibilities

You are responsible to -

• Attend an entrance interview before receiving the first disbursement of your first student loan;

• Repay the loan according to the repayment schedule and notify the lender of anything that affects ability to repay or eligibility for deferment or cancellation; 

• Notify the lender if he or she graduates, withdraws from school, drops below half time status, transfers to another school, or changes name, address, or social security number;

• Notify the lender if he or she fails to enroll for the period covered by the loan;

• Notify the school of a change of address; and 

• Attend an exit interview before leaving school.

For additional information or questions regarding student loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 740.351.4243.