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Federal Loans

Loans provide financial assistance for educational expenses, but unlike grants or scholarships, they must be repaid. Student loans are a common component of most financial aid packages and students should learn about borrowing before deciding to accept a loan.

Responsible borrowing and understanding the terms of loans are essential to managing your educational debt. You should explore all options and borrow only what is necessary to minimize future financial burdens.

Types of Loans

There are two main types: Federal Direct Loans and private loans. Understanding each type of loan will help you make an informed financial decisions.

Federal Direct Loans

All federal student loans obtained by a student or parent are reported to and tracked on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). NSLDS loan records are accessible to all authorized NSLDS users, including schools, student loan guaranty agencies, lenders, federal agencies, and other authorized users.

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need.

  • Interest will not accrue while you’re enrolled in school or during your six-month grace period.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is awarded to eligible students who do not demonstrate financial need.

  • Interest will accrue on unsubsidized loans while you are in school.
  • Any accrued interest will be capitalized when your loan enters repayment.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans, for graduate students and parents, are not based on financial need, but a credit check is required. Apply for the Plus Loan and then complete our Undergraduate PLUS Application (under Student Initiated Forms).

  • Plus Loans are considered unsubsidized and interest will accrue while you're in school.
  • You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) and meet all other compliance requirements for the loan funds to be credited to your student account.

All loans borrowed through Pima Community College will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System and will be accessible by authorized agencies, lenders and institutions (HEOA 489 amended HEA Sec. 485B).

Loan Option Direct Subsidized Loan Direct Unsubsidized Loan Parent PLUS Loan
Need Based Yes No No
Credit Based No No Yes
Interest Rates See the federal website for up-to-date interest information
Origination Fees See the federal website for up-to-date fee information
Repayment Flexible repayment options are available to all students; Some students may also be eligible for a 6 month grace period.  Flexible repayment options are available to all students; Some students may also be eligible for a 6 month grace period. 60 days after loan is fully disbursed unless the parent applies for an in-school deferment.
Lifetime Limits $23,000 $57,500 (including sub eligibility) NA
Minimum Enrollment 6 credit hours 6 credit hours 6 credit hours
FA SAP Eligibility Must meet FA SAP eligibility Must meet FA SAP eligibility Must meet FA SAP eligibility

Applying for Students Loans

In most cases, loan offers will be made automatically for you to accept or decline from your Financial Aid Dashboard. You must have a loan offered and accepted by the semester deadline for your loan to be approved. The deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall - December 1st
  • Spring - May 1st
  • Summer - July 1st

The above deadlines apply to requests for loan increases as well.

Reduction or Cancellation

If you determine that you do not need to borrow this or future disbursements of the loan, you may return or cancel any portion that is not needed. You can cancel future disbursements and/or return a portion or all of the loan disbursement within 14 days of the loan disbursement notification by completing the Federal Aid Cancellation/Reduction Form along with the funds you wish to return.

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