Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans are lower fixed interest rate loans provided by the federal government to assist students and families with the costs of education. The government guarantees Stafford loans, so no cosigner or credit check is necessary. The amounts that can be received for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans are set by the government based on the student’s grade level and financial need. The amounts listed on your financial aid notification letter reflect your specific eligibility.
Who is Eligible?
All CCS Students who:
Subsidized Federal Loan
- Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process,
- still have financial need after scholarships and grants are awarded, and
- are enrolled for 6.0 credits or more.
Unsubsidized Federal Loan
- Have completed the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process,
- do not have financial need after scholarships and grants are awarded, and
- are enrolled for 6.0 credits or more, or
- whose parent has been denied a Federal PLUS loan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No — Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans are guaranteed by the federal government, so no cosigner or credit check is necessary to receive them. You simply need to meet the criteria listed above, and complete the steps listed below.
With subsidized, the government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school. With unsubsidized, interest begins to accrue as soon as the loan is disbursed. The student can choose to pay the interest while in school, or wait until after they have left school. Accumulated interest will capitalize, so it is recommended that students pay some or all of the interest while in school to keep their balance and subsequent monthly payments lower.
Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loan eligibility is based on grade level. Grade level is determined by the number of credits completed and/or transferred to CCS:
- Freshman (1.0 – 29.5 credits) $5,500 – max of $3,500 subsidized
- Sophomore (30.0 – 62.5 credits) $6,500 – max of $4,500 subsidized
- Junior & Senior (more than 63.0 credits) $7,500 each year —max of $5,500 subsidized
- Dependent students whose parents have been denied a PLUS loan may borrow an additional $4,000 (Freshman and Sophomore levels), or $5,000 (Junior and Senior levels) of unsubsidized loan.
Students on the 120 credit curriculum will use the following class level chart:
- Freshman (1.0 – 29.5 credits) $5,500 – max of $3,500 subsidized
- Sophomore (30.0 – 59.0 credits) $6,500 – max of $4,500 subsidized
- Junior & Senior (more than 59.0 credits) $7,500 each year —max of $5,500 subsidized
- Dependent students whose parents have been denied a PLUS loan may borrow an additional $4,000 (Freshman and Sophomore levels), or $5,000 (Junior and Senior levels) of unsubsidized loan.
These are the maximums you may borrow. You are encouraged to borrow less whenever possible!
$31,000 for dependent undergraduate students. $57,500 for independent undergraduates and dependent undergraduates whose parents do not qualify for PLUS loans. No more than $23,000 may be in subsidized loans.
If you are attending on a part-time basis (6.0 to 11.5 credits), your loan will be adjusted based on enrollment status. Additional information is available at studentaid.gov loan limits.
If you would like an estimate of your charges and aid at part-time enrollment, please contact the Financial Aid Office (313.664.7495 or [email protected]). Students must be attending at least half-time (6.0 credits) to be eligible for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
Subsidized Federal Loan – current interest rates are available at studentaid.gov.
The federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled for at least six credits and for the six-month grace period after leaving school.
Unsubsidized Federal Loan – current interest rates are available at studentaid.gov.
The student is responsible for paying the interest and it may be paid monthly or annually while in school, or it may be capitalized —added to the principal when repayment begins.
The origination fee is deducted from Federal Student Loans before disbursement. Current loan fees are available at studentaid.gov.
Six months after students leave school or drop below half-time enrollment (less than 6.0 credits). Students with unsubsidized loans may want to consider making payments on the accumulating interest while they are still in school. For more information about repayment visit https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans
- Check “accept” on your financial aid notification letter and return a signed copy to the CCS Financial Aid Office. if you’d like to borrow less than the amounts awarded, note the amount you do want to accept at the bottom of the letter making sure to specify if it is the amount needed for the academic year or one semester only.
- Complete the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Student loans. The MPN details the terms of the Stafford loan and the responsibilities of the borrower. It is a contract with the federal government and signing it is a pledge to repay all the Stafford loans disbursed to you during your education.
- Complete loan entrance counseling. Entrance counseling is required by the federal government before students can receive their Stafford loan disbursements. This important step will explain your rights and responsibilities when you enter repayment and provide assistance toward financial planning.
- Continue to use StudentAid.gov for detailed accounts summaries and information paying for and managing your loans.
Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loan funds are disbursed directly to CCS, generally through an electronic funds transfer. Unless otherwise specified on your financial aid award letter, they are disbursed in two equal payments, one for each semester.
Loan funds must first be used toward the balance owed at CCS. If funds remain after the balance is paid, a refund check will be issued for the excess by the CCS Business Services Office. These funds should be used only for valid educational expenses, such as books & supplies, rent, food and transportation.
First time borrowers must wait 30 days from the beginning of the semester before their loans may be applied to their accounts. Therefore, for the first semester, refund checks are not available until roughly five weeks in to the semester. First-time students will need to make other arrangements to cover expenses until their funds are deposited.