Financial Aid
Student Loans

Home > Financial Aid > Student Loans

< Alternative Educational Loans
< Loan Disbursement
< Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

< Federal Graduate (PLUS)
< Federal Perkins Loan Program
< Federal Stafford Loan Program
< Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Student Loan Program

The University participates in several loan programs which offer help to students who need additional financial assistance. The purpose of all loan programs is to assist students unable to obtain sufficient support from other sources. Student loans must be repaid. Therefore, students are highly encouraged to borrow only what they need to cover direct educational expenses.

In order to qualify for assistance under any of the loan programs, the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the DBU Supplemental Application for Financial Aid and Scholarships for the appropriate academic year. These forms are available from the Office of Financial Aid and online.

Students who receive federal loans are required to complete an online entrance counseling session before the loan application process can be completed. Students must also attend an exit counseling session upon their graduation or withdrawal from the University. This exit counseling session is required by federal regulation and should be completed within 30 days of graduation or upon withdrawal from the University. Students awarded loans must go online and follow the "Loans by Web" link to confirm their federal loan.

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Alternative Educational Loans
Most student loan programs require a minimum of six hours or half-time enrollment status to be eligible to apply for assistance. Some private lenders offer alternative educational loans for less than half-time enrollment. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid. Students are required to complete the FAFSA and DBU Supplemental to determine eligibility for federal loans before securing higher interest private loans.

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Loan Disbursement
DBU participates in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This time-saving process is much more efficient because it eliminates paper checks.

Loan funds are normally disbursed to students twice per loan period. If the student's loan period consists of the fall and spring semesters, one disbursement will be made in the fall and one in the spring, each equal disbursement being applied to the student's account approximately one week after the add/drop period ends for that semester. If the loan period is one semester only (example, summer), the first disbursement will be made early in the semester (after the add/drop period ends), and the second disbursement after the mid-point in the semester.

Students who are completing their degrees and will be attending only a portion of the academic year will have their loan amounts adjusted (lowered), or "prorated," according to federal regulations. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

NOTE: Federal regulations require that the first disbursement for new Stafford Loan borrowers be delayed until thirty days after the start of class. New students at DBU should be aware that this may cause a delay in the issuance of refunds by the Business Office. This delay does not affect continuing borrowers or second disbursements later in the year.

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Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Parents may borrow for their dependent undergraduate students under the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students program (PLUS). The amount borrowed may be up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid for each undergraduate student. The interest rate is a variable rate, adjusted annually. Repayment begins within thirty days after the final disbursement of the loan each year. The lender will charge an origination and insurance fee for a PLUS Loan, which will be deducted from the loan proceeds.

To be eligible, parents and students must not currently be in default on any Federal Student Loan nor owe a refund on any federal grant. The parent's credit history is evaluated by the lender prior to disbursement of the loan. If the PLUS Loan is denied to the parents, the student may then be eligible to borrow additional funds under the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program. Additional information about the Federal PLUS Loan are available from the Office of Financial Aid.

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Federal Graduate (PLUS)

Graduate students who have exhausted the Stafford Loan eligibility may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan up to the cost of attendance.

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Federal Perkins Loan Program
The Federal Perkins Loan program provides long-term, low interest loans for students who qualify. The amounts awarded vary, depending on financial need and availability of funds.

The Perkins loan will be awarded to eligible students as long as funds are available each year. The terms and conditions of the Federal Perkins Loan are outlined in the Promissory Note, which is available from the Office of Financial Aid. Indebtedness under the Federal Perkins Loan Program may be fully or partially canceled for students who meet certain conditions. Check the Financial Aid Student Guide for more information.

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Federal Stafford Loan Program
The Federal Stafford Loan program consists of two types of loans: the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan and the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. These loans are secured from a private lender such as a bank, credit union, savings and loan association, or insurance agency. DBU does not currently participate in the Federal Direct Loan Programs.

Loan eligibility varies depending on the student's year in school and dependency status. Federal Stafford Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students and dependent and independent students. Please consult the Financial Aid Student Guide for specific information on eligibility and amounts available.

The student must meet certain income requirements (as determined from the FAFSA) to qualify for a subsidized loan. "Subsidized" means that the government will pay the interest on the loan while the student maintains an eligible enrollment in school. The student will be responsible for repaying the loan and interest after enrollment ends. The government does not pay the interest on an unsubsidized loan. The borrower is responsible for all interest that is charged on the loan even while in school.

The interest rate under the Federal Stafford Loan program is a variable rate that adjusts annually. A portion of the loan amount is kept by the lender to cover origination and loan insurance fees. See the Financial Aid Student Guide for more information, including repayment terms, deferment options, consolidation, origination and insurance fees, and other details.

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Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Student Loan Program
Educational loans are available to Junior, Senior, or Graduate/Professional students who are residents of Texas and enrolled full time. Loans cannot exceed $2000 per year for undergraduate students or $4000 per year for graduate/professional students. This is a private loan with an interest rate of six percent and must be repaid within four years after repayment begins. Please contact the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation for loan application forms and more information. The foundation address is:

Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation
800 NW Loop 410, STE 200
San Antonio, TX 78216-5699

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