Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with financial need. The amount you can borrow is based on your dependency status, the number of credit hours you have completed, and the amount of financial need you have based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You are not charged interest on this loan while you’re in school at least half-time.

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) or more to be eligible per semester.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are for students who do not have demonstrated financial need.  However, the federal government does require students to complete the FAFSA. Like subsidized loans, the University of Mary Washington determines the amount you can borrow based on your dependency status and the number of credit hours you have completed. Interest accrues on the unsubsidized loan from the time it’s first paid out. You can pay the interest while you are in school and during grace, deferment, and forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). If you choose not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount you have to repay because you will be charged interest on a higher principal amount.

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) or more to be eligible per semester.

Direct Graduate Loans are for students enrolled in an approved degree-seeking graduate or professional program. A student enrolled in these programs is automatically considered “independent” for financial aid purposes. This means that they only include their personal information (not parent information) on the FAFSA. Students may receive up to the institutional cost of attendance with a maximum of $20,500 per year.

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) or more to be eligible per semester.

Parents of dependent students may apply for a Direct PLUS Loan to help cover the costs of their child’s educational expenses.   These loans are credit based and parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid and resources received.  

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) or more to be eligible per semester.

Parent PLUS Loan Instructions:

Graduate and professional students may apply for PLUS Loans for their own educational expenses.  Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply.  Students must have received maximum Direct Unsubsidized Student Loans before they may receive a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan.

Apply for a Graduate PLUS loan

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) or more to be eligible per semester.

If you would like to apply for a Federal Direct Loan the steps are as follows:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
2. Once our office has received your FAFSA and you have been awarded federal aid, you will see federal loans on your Banner account.

Students can now log into the UMW Banner Portal to web accept or web decline student loans.   Please follow the directions below:

1. Click on the Banner box -> Click Banner SSB, and sign in
2. Click the top left waffle icon; Select Banner then select ‘Financial Aid’ then ‘Financial Aid Self Service’
3. Select ‘Offer’ from the top menu and scroll to the bottom of the page.
4. Scroll to ‘Options to Pay Net Cost’ and use the drop-down box to accept/decline the loans offered to you.
5. Use the drop box to accept or decline your loans (the empty box to the right of the loans can be used to accept a partial amount) and hit submit.

***Please note that if you are a first time borrower, you will also need to complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note.

This is the only way to accept or decline all or a portion of offered student loans. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@umw.edu or (540) 654-2468, if you have any questions.

When a student withdraws, graduates, or drops below half-time attendance (regardless if you plan to transfer to another school), regulations require that you complete an exit counseling session for your Federal Direct subsidized or unsubsidized loans. The counseling session provides information about how to manage and pay your student loans after college.

Complete your Loan Exit Counseling.