Financial Aid Package Timeline
January 2026 entry
Financial Aid Packages are currently (November 2025) being issued to those who have submitted their FAFSA or a Private Loan application.
If you have not received your package for January or you have started/ are starting at a different time this academic year (August 2025 - June 2026), please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk with your University of Aberdeen applicant/ student ID number.
We are authorised to administer the following US Financial Aid options for those who are eligible:
- Federal Direct Loans
- Alternative/Private Education loans
- US Veterans Educational Benefits (GI Bill)
We also certify documentation for Americorps and 529 College Plans.
You'll find helpful links and detailed information below for current and prospective students to guide you through the processes.
US Federal Direct Loans
The University of Aberdeen is recognised as a Foreign School by the US Department of Education and is authorised to certify loans for eligible students as an approved Title IV institution.
Eligible students studying outside of the USA can apply for:
- Direct Subsidized
- Direct Unsubsidized
- Direct PLUS loans
Note: Foreign schools are not eligible to certify PELL Grants or Perkins Loans.
Visit the Federal Loans section below for full details on eligibility and how to apply.
Scholarships and Funding
The University of Aberdeen offers a variety of scholarships that can help reduce your reliance on loans. Learn more about the following in the Scholarships, Funding & Tuition Fees section.
- University of Aberdeen scholarship opportunities
- Tuition fee information
- External funding sources
Applying for a Visa
If you need to apply for a visa and are dependent on Federal Aid for proof of funds it is advisable to wait for your loan confirmation letter before submitting your application. The loan confirmation letter will confirm your total (gross) loan values and expected disbursement dates. Instructions for obtaining this letter can be found in the Federal Loans link below.
Loan Assessments for PhD Students
If you are starting a PhD programme in any month except September, October, January or February, and wish to be assessed for a US Student Loan, please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk with your applicant/ student ID number, your start date and advise if you wish to be assessed for a Federal and/or a private student loan.
2026/2027 Academic Year
September/ October 2026 entry
- Financial Aid Packages and information emails will be issued starting May 2026 to those who have submitted their 2026/2027 FAFSA or a private loan application with Sallie Mae or Earnest Loans.
- If you have not received your Financial Aid Package by 06 July 2026, please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk with your University of Aberdeen applicant/ student ID number.
- If you have a US-based loan with another lender, please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk with your loan information and your University of Aberdeen applicant/ student ID number.
January/ February 2027 entry
- Financial Aid Packages will be issued starting September 2026 to those who have submitted their 2026/2027 FAFSA or a private loan application with Sallie Mae or Earnest Loans.
- If you have not received your Financial Aid Package by 13 November 2026, please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk with your University of Aberdeen applicant/ student ID number.
- If you have a US-based loan with another lender, please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk with your loan information and your University of Aberdeen applicant/ student ID number.
2025/2026 Academic Year
Financial Aid Packages for the 2025/2026 academic year can be provided until the following dates to allow for disbursement before the end of your academic year or the end of the Federal loan financial year:
- Undergraduate Students - 01 April 2026
- Postgraduate Taught Students (September and January starts) - 15 May 2026
- For disbursements after this, you will need to complete a 2026/2027 FAFSA and your disbursement will be after the 01 July 2026. Please note that this may impact your Federal student loans eligibility if you are starting a new programme in the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Postgraduate Research Students (PhD, etc) - 15 May 2026
- For disbursements after this, you will need to complete a 2026/2027 FAFSA and your disbursement will be after the 01 July 2026. Please note that this may impact your Federal student loans eligibility if you are starting a new programme in the 2026/2027 academic year.
If you have submitted your 2025/2026 FAFSA recently or have not returned your financial aid package and wish to now accept student loans, please email your request to usaloans@abdn.ac.uk with your University of Aberdeen student ID number.
Last updated 19 November 2025