Direct Student Loans
The University of West Alabama participates in the Federal Direct Loan Programs. The Direct Loan program provides long term low interest subsidized and unsubsidized loans for our students and their parents.
Subsidized Loans
Subsidized loans are based on established financial need as well as annual and aggregate loan limits. Interest on this loan does not accrue during periods of enrollment and grace periods. Both interest accrual and repayment begins six months after graduation or when a student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
Unsubsidized Loans
We base unsubsidized loans on annual and aggregate loan limits, not on financial need. Interest on this loan begins to accrue upon disbursement of the funds. Repayment begins six months after graduation or when you are no longer enrolled at least half-time.
Half-Time Enrollment
Half-time enrollment is defined as a minimum of six (6) undergraduate hours or three (3) graduate hours each semester.
Entrance Counseling
You must complete Entrance Counseling requirement before funds can be disbursed. Please be sure to enter your information completely and accurately. The Financial Aid Center will be notified electronically within 48 hours after you have completed this requirement.
You will have to e-sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to disbursement. The student’s FSA ID, https://studentaid.gov/ is required to e-sign. The Financial Aid Center will be notified electronically in 24-48 hours after you have completed this requirement.
Exit Counseling
Students who are graduating or drop below half-time enrollment during a term must complete a Direct Loan Exit Interview. The FSA ID Number is required in order to complete the exit interview because we'll be considering personal loan information. When the student loan grace period ends and the loan comes due, the student will receive a repayment schedule from their Stafford Loan Lender and/or Direct Loans outlining the monthly payments and number of months required to repay the loan. It is important to notify your lender of address changes so that you will receive your repayment information.
Annual Loan Limits
Dependent undergraduate students:
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Freshmen – $5500, no more than $3500 subsidized
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Sophomores – $6500, no more than $4500 subsidized
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Juniors and Seniors – $7500, no more than $5500 subsidized
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Independent Undergraduate students
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Freshmen – $9500, no more than $3500 subsidized
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Sophomores – $10,500, no more than $4500 subsidized
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Juniors and Seniors – $12,500, no more than $5500 subsidized
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Graduate Students – $20,500, no more than $8500 subsidized
Aggregate Loan Limits
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Undergraduate dependent students: $31,000 (no more than $23,000 subsidized)
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Undergraduate independent students: $57,500 (no more than $23,000 subsidized)
Graduate students: $138,500 (no more than $65,500 subsidized)
Direct Parent PLUS Loans
“Complete PLUS Request Process”
Parent’s of a dependent student may be eligible to borrow under the Direct PLUS Loan Program. The parent’s dependent student must also be enrolled at least half-time and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress to qualify. The student must meet all other eligibility requirements, as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. The maximum amount that the parent may borrow is the UWA cost of attendance as determined by the Financial Aid Center minus any other aid (scholarships, grants, loans, waivers, etc) received by the student.
To apply for the Parent PLUS Loan, parents must COMPLETE THE PLUS REQUEST PROCESS online at https://studentaid.gov/
