The University of Virginia participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Following is information about applying for the different types of loans available to students and parents.

How to Apply for a Direct Subsidized or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan

1. Complete the FAFSA. The University of Virginia Financial Aid Office may require you to complete the University Financial Aid Application in addition to the FAFSA. Check your To Do List in the Student Information System for additional required items.
   


2. Go to the Finances section of your Student Center in the SIS and accept your loans. At this point, you may also reduce the amount of or decline any loans.
   


3. If you are a first-time borrower, sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) here with your Federal PIN. If you do not have or have forgotten your Federal PIN for electronic signature, you can obtain one or retrieve yours here.
   


4. If you are a first-time borrower, you will also be required to complete Entrance Counseling at this same location.
   


5. If you previously reduced the amount of your loan or declined your loan and you wish now to increase the amount, you must complete the Financial Aid Change Form Increase found here.

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How to Apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan

1. The student must complete the FAFSA.
   


2. The student must complete the University Financial Aid Application, available in the Finances section of the Student Center in the Student Information System (SIS).
   


3. On the Intent page of the University Financial Aid Application, check the box for "Graduate PLUS Loan".
   


4. You will be awarded the maximum allowable amount. At this point, you may reduce the amount of or decline the loan. To do so, go to the Finances section of your Student Center in the SIS.
   


5. Sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) here with your Federal PIN. If you do not have or have forgotten your Federal PIN for electronic signature, you can obtain one or retrieve yours here.
   


6. If you are a first-time borrower, you will also be required to complete Entrance Counseling at this same location.
   


7. If you previously reduced the amount of your loan or declined your loan and you wish now to increase the amount, you must complete the Financial Aid Change Form Increase found here.
   


8. If you have already been awarded a Graduate PLUS loan, or accepted a Graduate PLUS loan, and you decide you want a private loan instead, you must cancel an unaccepted loan in SIS or complete the Financial Aid Change Form Decrease (found here) for an accepted loan.

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How to Apply for a Direct PLUS (Parent) Loan

Parents who want a PLUS loan must:

1. For the 2012-2013 academic year, the student must complete the FAFSA.
   


2. Complete the Direct PLUS Loan Application. Borrowers in previous years may recall a separate application for the individual bank as well. However, because of the move to Direct Loans, this separate application is no longer a part of this application process.
   
   
3. If your loan is approved, sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) here with your Federal PIN. If you do not have or have forgotten your Federal PIN for electronic signature, you can obtain one or retrieve yours here.
   
   
4. If you would like to decrease your approved loan amount, please complete the Financial Aid Change Form Decrease, found here. If you wish to increase the amount after having previously reduced the amount of your loan, you will need to complete a new application.
   

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How to Apply for Private Loans

Many banks offer private student loans.  Rates and conditions vary, so it is wise to review several banks’ programs.  Please contact the lender of your choice for instructions about applying.  The University will certify the loan once all other Financial Aid has been completed. The University can only certify loans for the total cost of attendance for the current academic year.

Private loans will not disburse until the student has completed the lender's Master Promissory Note and all Disclosure statements required.   Credit checks are only good for 90-120 days, depending on the lender, and applying before the Official Financial Aid award has been created could result in the requirement of a second credit check and require a new application for the loan.

Most Lenders require a co-signer before loan approval.  When applying for a loan, please be sure to specify the loan period for which you expect the loan to be used.

• For Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 both, specify 8/2012 to 5/2013.
• For Fall 2012 only, specify 8/2012 to 12/2012.
• For Spring 2013 only, specify 1/2013 to 5/2013.
• Summer Session loans are separate loans and cannot be combined with other loan periods.