There are three types of loan available to students through the Federal programme. These are the Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized and Direct PLUS loans. If you are a continuing on your current graduate programme, you can apply for a PLUS loan in your own right. If you are an undergraduate student you cannot apply for the PLUS loan, but your parents or guardians can apply on your behalf.
The amount that you are eligible to borrow in each academic year is assessed according to your grade level, whether you are a dependent or independent student and your financial need. The maximum you can borrow is the estimated Cost of Attendance (living expenses + tuition fees). The sum of your Federal, any private loans and scholarships/ bursaries cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance so you should think carefully about the loans your are applying for.
The following loan types are offered:
- Subsidized: available to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (new window) as determined by US Department of Education regulations. No interest is charged whilst you are studying at least half-time, during the grace period (the first 6 months after you finish University) and during deferment periods (a postponement of loan payments).
- Unsubsidized: not based on financial need and both undergraduate and postgraduate students can apply. Interest is charged during all periods.
- Parent PLUS: available to parents of undergraduate students who are classed as dependent. Parents of continuing (legacy) undergraduate students can borrow up to the total estimated Cost of Attendance as issued by the University of Aberdeen. Parents of new UG students or new UG borrowers are limited in the amount of loans they can accept (more details are below). Parent PLUS loans are the responsibility of the parent and not the student.
- Grad PLUS: available to continuing (legacy) postgraduate students if they have already borrowed Federal loans for their current programme. They may borrow up to the total estimated Cost of Attendance as issued by the University of Aberdeen. New PG or new PG borrowers are not eligible for Grad PLUS loans.
- Private student loans are not federal loans but are available to most US citizens.
Students studying in the UK are NOT eligible for Perkins Loans or Pell Grants.
All Federal loans are capped and have maximum yearly and lifetime limits.
The following dropdowns show federal loan information for each situation listed including annual and aggregate limits, who is eligible for them, fees, and interest rates.
Further Information can be found on the StudentAid webpages (new window) and the OBBBA Announcement page (new window).
- If you started your undergraduate programme at The University of Aberdeen before July 01, 2026, and received a federal loan for that programme before this date
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According to StudentAid and the OBBBA, you will be able to remain on the below regulations if you meet the below criteria.
You qualify for the below (old) regulations for the lesser of:
- three academic years or
- the difference between the published length of the programme of study you are enrolled in and the period of time you have completed in that programme (most likely to impact students repeating periods of study).
You qualify for the below (old) regulations if:
- were enrolled in a programme of study at the University of Aberdeen as of June 30, 2026;
- received at least one Direct Loan, or your parent received a Direct PLUS Loan on your behalf, for your programme of study, before July 1, 2026; and
- you continue to be enrolled at the University of Aberdeen and are seeking the same credential (MA, BSc, BEng, MEng, MSci, etc) after July 1, 2026
If you suspend your studies (or are currently suspended), or change credential (i.e. MA to BSc) at the University of Aberdeen on or after July 1, 2026, you will be changed to the new regulations.
Loan types for undergraduate students
Before completing a federal loan application, you will need to determine whether you are a dependent or an independent student and this will establish which loan types and amounts you are eligible to borrow. Definitions on how to determine this can be found on the Federal Student Aid website, but if your circumstances are unusual and you need advice, please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk
Loan Information Direct Subsidized loan and Direct Unsubsidized loan Parent PLUS loan Who is eligible Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible undergraduate programmes.*
Available to dependent and independent students who demonstrate financial need.
Parents (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, step-parent) of dependent undergraduate students on eligible programmes. Both the parent and the student must be eligible for federal student aid. A credit check is required. Maximum federal loan amount per year Year 1
Dependent Undergraduate: $5,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized.
Independent Undergraduate: $9,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized.
Year 2
Dependent Undergraduate: $6,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized.
Independent Undergraduate: $10,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized.
Year 3 and up
Dependent Undergraduate: $7,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized.
Independent Undergraduate: $12,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized.
For dependent undergraduate students only. Total amount remaining after all other funding has been deducted from the Cost of Attendance. Aggregate loan limit (how much you can borrow over your lifetime) Dependent Undergraduate: $31,000 - no more than $23,000 Subsidized loans.
Independent Undergraduate:$57,500 - no more than $23,000 Subsidized loans.
No limit. Origination and Default Fee 1.057% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 October 2020 and before 1 October 2025.** 4.228% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 October 2020 and before 1 October 2025.** Interest Rate 6.53% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 July 2025 and prior to 1 July 2026.** 9.08% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 July 2025 and prior to 1 July 2026.** *Some programmes are not eligible for federal loans. More information is available in the Eligibility section (new window).
**Origination fees, default fees and interest rates are subject to change, the rates for 2025-26 are as shown at the time of publication. For the latest information on interest rates and fees, please see the Federal Student Aid website.
- If you started your postgraduate programme at the University of Aberdeen before July 01, 2026, and received a federal loan for that programme before this date
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Students who are enrolled in a postgraduate programme at UoA before July 01, 2026, and who have received a federal loan for that programme before this date, will be eligible to borrow the loan types below for the 2025-26 academic year, and then up to a further three academic years or until the end of your programme, whichever comes earlier.
For those eligible, most will borrow the first $20,500 through the unsubsidized loan and top-up borrowing through a PLUS loan or a private student loan.
Regulation Change Notes
- If you change degree programme after July 01, 2026, you will need to switch to the new regulations.
- If you suspend or withdraw from your degree programme on or after July 01, 2026, you will need to switch to the new regulations. This does not include those on an approved Leave of Absence.
Loan types for graduate students
Loan Information Direct Graduate Unsubsidized Loan Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Who is Eligible Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible graduate programmes.* Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible graduate programmes.* A credit check is required. Maximum federal loan amount per year $20,500 Total amount remaining after all other funding has been deducted from the CoA. Aggregate loan limit (how much you can borrow over your lifetime) $138,500 - no more than $65,500 of this may be Direct Subsidized loans. No limit. Origination and Default Fee 1.057% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 October 2020 and before 1 October 2025.** 4.228% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 October 2020 and before 1 October 2025.** Interest Rate 8.08% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 July 2025 and prior to 1 July 2026.** 9.08% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 July 2025 and prior to July 2026.** *Some programmes are not eligible for federal loans. More information is available in the Eligibility section (new window).
**Origination fees, default fees and interest rates are subject to change, the rates for 2025-26 are as shown at the time of publication. For the latest information on interest rates and fees, please see the Federal Student Aid website.
- You are starting a new undergraduate programme with us for the 2026/27 academic year, are transferring to a different credential or you haven't used federal loans for your current programme before July 01, 2026
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This page provides information following the new OBBBA changes for new students, new federal loan borrowers in the 2026/27 academic year or those not eligible for legacy status. If this information is changed by the US Department of Education we will update it as we receive it. Please also see the StudentAid.gov webpage (new window) and their OBBBA announcement page (new window).
Loan types for undergraduate students
Before completing a federal loan application, you will need to determine whether you are a dependent or an independent student and this will establish which loan types and amounts you are eligible to borrow. Definitions on how to determine this can be found on the Federal Student Aid website, but if your circumstances are unusual and you need advice, please email usaloans@abdn.ac.uk
Loan Information Direct Subsidized loan and Direct Unsubsidized loan Parent PLUS loan Who is eligible Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible undergraduate programmes.*
Available to dependent and independent students who demonstrate financial need.
Parents (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, step-parent) of dependent undergraduate students on eligible programmes. Both the parent and the student must be eligible for federal student aid. A credit check is required. Maximum federal loan amount per year Year 1
Dependent Undergraduate: $5,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized.
Independent Undergraduate: $9,500 - no more than $3,500 can be Subsidized.
Year 2
Dependent Undergraduate: $6,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized.
Independent Undergraduate: $10,500 - no more than $4,500 can be Subsidized.
Year 3 and up
Dependent Undergraduate: $7,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized.
Independent Undergraduate: $12,500 - no more than $5,500 can be Subsidized.
For dependent undergraduate students only. Total amount remaining after all other funding has been deducted from the Cost of Attendance.
Maximum of $20,000 per student per year.
Aggregate loan limit (how much you can borrow over your lifetime) Dependent Undergraduate: $31,000 - no more than $23,000 Subsidized loans.
Independent Undergraduate:$57,500 - no more than $23,000 Subsidized loans.
$65,000 lifetime limit per dependent student. Origination and Default Fee 1.057% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 October 2020 and before 1 October 2025.** Awaiting confirmation Interest Rate 6.53% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 July 2025 and prior to 1 July 2026.** Awaiting confirmation Financial Aid Packages will also include information relating to private loan options for any shortfall between the cost of attendance and federal loan eligibility. Students and/or parent will need to determine private loan eligibility via lenders directly.
*Some programmes are not eligible for federal loans. More information is available in the Eligibility section (new window).
**Origination fees, default fees and interest rates are subject to change, the rates for 2025-26 are as shown at the time of publication. For the latest information on interest rates and fees, please see the Federal Student Aid website.
- If you will be starting a new postgraduate programme at UoA after July 01, 2026 or are a current student who didn't receive a federal loan for your programme before July 01, 2026
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This page provides information following the new OBBBA changes for new students or new federal loan borrowers in the 2026/27 academic year. If this information is changed by the US Department of Education we will update it as we receive it. Please also see the StudentAid.gov webpage (new window) and their OBBBA announcement page (new window).
Loan types for graduate students
Loan Information Direct Graduate Unsubsidized Loan Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Who is Eligible Most US citizens (or eligible non-citizens) on eligible graduate programmes.* No longer available. Maximum federal loan amount per year $20,500 n/a Aggregate loan limit (how much you can borrow over your lifetime) $100,000 - from our current understanding this is separate to the UG limit n/a Origination and Default Fee 1.057% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 October 2020 and before 1 October 2025.** n/a Interest Rate 8.08% for loans first disbursed on or after 1 July 2025 and prior to 1 July 2026.** n/a Financial Aid Packages will also include information relating to private loan options for any shortfall between the cost of attendance and federal loan eligibility or as an alternative. Students (with or without a co-signer) will need to determine private loan eligibility via lenders directly.
*Some programmes are not eligible for federal loans. More information is available in the Eligibility section (new window).
**Origination fees, default fees and interest rates are subject to change, the rates for 2025-26 are as shown at the time of publication. For the latest information on interest rates and fees, please see the Federal Student Aid website.