Direct Loans for U.S. Students
Citizens of the United States studying at ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University are eligible to apply for student financial aid through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (U.S. Direct Loans). Loans are available to students or their parents through Direct Loans.
Table of Contents
Types of Loans
| Loans | Who is Eligible | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Subsidized Direct Loans | Awarded to students who demonstrate financial need | U.S. government subsidizes the interest, and borrowers are not charged interest while in school at least half time, during a grace period, or during deferment periods. |
| Unsubsidized Direct Loans | Awarded to students regardless of financial need | Borrowers are responsible for interest that accrues during all periods. During the study period, a borrower has the option to pay or have the interest capitalized. Loans may be awarded to both undergraduate and graduate students. |
| Direct PLUS Loans for Parents | Enables parents to borrow on behalf of their dependent undergraduate children | Undergraduate students must be enrolled in an eligible program at least half time. Borrowers are responsible for the interest that accrues during all periods. Only parents of dependent students can receive PLUS Loans. |
| Direct PLUS Loans for Graduates | Awarded to graduate and professional students enrolled at least half time. | Borrowers are responsible for the interest that accrues during all periods. |
How to Apply
To apply for Direct Loans, visit and proceed with the following steps:
Step 1 – Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
When completing the , ensure that you specify ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University as an institution you wish to attend. ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´’s federal school code is: G08368
- ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´’s federal school code is: G08368
Step 2 – Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Parents borrowing funds through a Direct PLUS loan for Parents must also complete and e-sign a (MPN).
Step 3 – Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
All first time borrowers must participate in a student on-line entrance counseling process. If this is your first student loan, please also complete the module.
Step 4 – Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement
The is a tool for borrowers who take out federal student loans.
- If you have loans on file, you will learn important repayment terms and estimates, how much you have borrowed thus far, and what’s available for the remainder of your education.
- If you are a new borrower, you must acknowledge other information such as salary and debt estimates for your chosen program and information about how interest works.
Step 5 – Student Information Form
Notify the Awards & Financial Aid Office at ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University by completing the Student Information Form or email awards@carleton.ca to advise us that you have submitted your application for U.S student aid. We will then proceed with determining your eligibility and review disbursement of your Direct Loan funding with you.
Important Information
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As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, the U.S. government requires institutions offering U.S. Direct Loans to disclose the following consumer information. If you require any further information about the content, please email awards@carleton.ca.
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All first time borrowers must participate in a student on-line entrance counseling process. If this is your first student loan, please also complete the module. This online session will explain the rights and obligations of the borrower as well as provide information on how to manage your student loans. Loan funds cannot be disbursed until the counseling session has been completed.
All graduating students, students dropping to part-time enrolment or withdrawing from studies, are required to complete . This online Exit counseling session provides important information to prepare you to repay your federal student loans. Exit counselling provides important information to prepare you to repay your federal student loans. Completing exit counselling is mandatory for recipients of Direct Loan funding.
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Students studying on an official ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University exchange are considered to be ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ students for the subsidized/unsubsidized/PLUS and alternative loans. This means that:
- You pay tuition and fees to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University
- You apply for US loans following ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University’s procedures
- Your exchange school is not located within the continental United States
- All exchange schools must be Title IV approved to be eligible to get aid for the exchange. Any university that is not Title IV approved will jeopardize your aid while on exchange and future eligibility for aid.
If you intend to go on an official exchange as part of your program, you ³¾³Ü²õ³ÙÌýbe attending a Title IV eligible school. Please check the  (under Foreign Country) to ensure the partner/host university is eligible.
If your exchange institution is not Title IV eligible, you are not eligible for a U.S. student aid loan while you study abroad. Email awards@carleton.ca to discuss your financial options ²ú±ð´Ú´Ç°ù±ðÌýyou apply you travel abroad.
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There are loan amount limits based on your year and level of study, as well as accumulated maximums which must be adhered to ( are set by the US Department of Education).
The maximum PLUS loan amount you can borrow is the cost of attendance (determined by the university – Awards & Financial Aid Office), less any other financial aid (including loans) awarded during the period of enrolment.
For cost of attendance, the Awards & Financial Aid Office uses guidelines from the Canada Student loans program for determining living costs. These living allowances are standard allowances for a moderate standard of living established by the federal government and vary based on your living situation and province/territory. When additional education-related expenses beyond your standard cost of attendance are incurred, you may request a cost of attendance adjustment for the period of enrolment.  For more information, contact the Awards & Financial Aid Office.
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Programs that are not eligible for funding through the Direct Loan Program when offered by a foreign institution:
- A program offered in whole or in part through telecommunications, otherwise known as distance education (including online courses),
- A program offered in whole or in part through correspondence,
- A program offered in whole or in part through direct assessment,
- A program for which more than 25 percent of the program is provided by an entity that is not eligible to participate in the FSA Programs.
Any student taking even one distance education course at ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University is not eligible for funding through the Direct Loan Program.
At ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University, programs that are not eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) or other provincial financial aid programs are not eligible for funding through the Direct Loan Program.
In addition:
- ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University diploma and certificate programs are not eligible for Direct Loans.
- The Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) is excluded from Direct Loans funding consideration.
- The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is excluded from Direct Loans funding consideration.
- The Online MBA Program is not eligible for Direct Loans.
- Students taking programs or courses at Dominican University College are not eligible for Direct Loans.
- Students undertaking a Dual Master’s Degree pathway, doctoral (Phd) students undertaking a cotutelle and US students undertaking an MBA in Shanghai are not eligible for Direct Loans.
- ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University and the University of Ottawa have developed a number of joint programs at the graduate level. Email awards@carleton.ca to see if your program may be eligible.
Mature students who do not possess a secondary school completion credential or its equivalent are not eligible for Direct Loans.
- Please see  for more information.
All U.S. students must carefully consider which courses they register in to comply with the legislation and to maintain their eligibility for student loan funding.
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Students in receipt of Direct Loan funding are required to maintain student academic progress.
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Information on tuition fee assessment and financial adjustments is available at  under Fee Payment – Fee Assessment.
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Changes to course load, including dropping a course or withdrawal, may result in ineligibility for all or part of your student loan  funding. Please review the Return of Title IV Funds Policy and contact the Awards & Financial Aid Office immediately if you withdraw or reduce your course load.
Other Useful Resources and Links:
- The is an annual federal publication that is available free of charge to students who are interested in financial aid.
- The gives college students access to information on government services.