The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into US law in July 2025, and this will result in changes to federal student aid for those studying in the 2026/27 academic year. The information below is subject to change based on any further updates from the US Department of Education Federal Student Aid website (new window).
The type of loan and the amount you may be able to borrow is dependent on when you enrolled in your programme at the University of Aberdeen, and whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student. Information will be provided on this page and will be included in your 2026/2027 financial aid package. We will also be updating the Types of Federal Loans and Amounts page in early 2026.
- If you started your programme at The University of Aberdeen before 01 July 2026, and received a federal loan for that programme before this date
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Students who are enrolled in a programme at UoA before 01 July 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. If you change degree programme after the 15 May 2026, you may have to switch to the new regulations.
If you choose not to receive Graduate PLUS loans before 01 July 2026 (requests must be submitted by 15 May 2026), you will not be eligible for them after 01 July 2026.
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.** 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 CoA. 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 will be starting a new programme at UoA for the 2026-27 academic year, are transferring for the 2026-27 academic year or are a current student who didn't receive a federal loan for your programme before 1 July 2026
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The exact details for federal loan types available in the 2026/27 academic year will be added here when confirmed.