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Federal Stafford Loans


Students who wish to apply for a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (or a combination thereof) must first submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once the SJSU Financial Aid & Scholarship Office has processed the application, A Loan Request Form from the SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office will be assigned to the student's To Do List in MySJSU.

Subsidized Stafford Loan

These loans come from banks and other private lenders. The federal government pays for the interest while you are in college and during the six month grace period after you graduate, leave school, or enroll in less than half-time. Subsidized Stafford Loans are awarded based on demonstrated financial need.

Stafford interest rates will change to a fixed rate for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006. The fixed rate will be 6.8% during school, grace, deferment, and repayment periods. There will be no adjustable rate for loans disbursed after July 1, 2006.

Existing Stafford Loans made July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2006 will maintain a variable interest rate adjusted each July 1, capped at 8.25%. Interest rates for these loans during the in-school, grace, and deferment periods, will be 6.62%. For periods of repayment, the interest rate will be 7.22%.

Students submit a Loan Request Form and select their lender. Loans are processed/transmitted electronically and students must sign a Master Promissory Note.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

These loans are similar to the Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans and are available to all eligible students, even those not demonstrating financial need. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans should be seen as a supplement since the borrower is responsible for paying all the interest on the loan. Payments are scheduled to begin within 60 days, but borrowers can defer their payments until they are out of school. When they do so, the interest is capitalized (added to the original loan amount). On this loan, the interest will begin accruing right away. The interest rate for Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans is the same as for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans.

Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Other loan types are also available. Regardless of the loan program, the process begins with the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Interest Rates

For the Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 academic year is:
6.0% Stafford Subsidized while in school, during grace-period and repayment
6.8% Stafford Unsubsidized while in school, during grace-period and repayment
 


Deadline to Apply

Fall only loan: Dec. 1, 2008
Academic year or Spring only loan: May 1, 2009


Repayment Information

Repayment begins six months after graduation or after you are no longer enrolled at least half-time. For the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, the student is responsible for all interest accrued. The minimum monthly payment is $50.

First-Time Borrower?

Students who are first time borrowers at SJSU must attend an Entrance Loan Counseling Session before any loan funds can be disbursed. Sessions last approximately one hour and answer questions regarding interest rate, deferments, and how to avoid default. Students must check with the Financial Aid Website beginning July 1st for a schedule of the upcoming Entrance Loan Counseling Sessions. Students may sign up by calling, emailing, or coming into our office.

The amount of the loan a student will receive is determined by the student's request as submitted on the Loan Request Form, and by other factors such as the cost of attendance, loan eligibility, year in school, aid already awarded such as grants and scholarships, federal work-study, and so forth.

Lenders

Students are free to choose any lender they wish to borrow from . Those who have borrowed previously are encouraged to stay with their previous lender.

Maximum Amount

You may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (budget) minus other financial aid the student has been awarded.

Enrollment Requirements

A student must be continuously enrolled for at least six units (half-time enrollment) each semester as an undergraduate to receive the loan. If the student drops below half-time at any time during the loan period, he/she will not be eligible for the loan proceeds. Disbursements arriving after the end of the term will be returned to the lender if the student has not received satisfactory grades for the minimum number of units required. Unsatisfactory grades are as follows: F,I,U, RD,NC,AU,WU and W.

Disbursement of Funds

Loan funds will be electronically transmitted to SJSU and disbursed to your student account to pay any outstanding debts owed to the university (tuition, fees, etc). The balance left, if any, is then sent by the Bursar's Office, and a check is disbursed to the mailing address which you maintain online on my.sjsu.edu

Summer Session

Students who wish to borrow for Summer Session 2008 must set up an appointment in mid-Spring with a financial aid counselor to determine their eligibility. Students who are academically disqualified from the University, attending Open University, or enrolled less than half time, are not eligible for the Stafford Loan. Please see a financial aid counselor if you have any questions on the Stafford Loan.


Maximum Annual Loan Amounts for Dependent Students
Borrower's Academic Level

Sub/Unsub
Total

Additional unsub

Total

Freshman
0-29 units

$3,500

$2,000

$5,500

Sophomore
30-59 units

$4,500

 $2,000

$6,500

Junior/Senior
60+ units

$5,500

$2,000

$7,500

Credential

$5,500

0

$5,500

 

Maximum Annual Loan Amounts for Independent Students
Borrower's Academic Level Sub Unsub Total

Freshman
0-29 units

$3,500

$6,000

$9,500

Sophomore
30-59 units

$4,500

$6,000

$10,500

Junior/Senior
60+ units

$5,500

$7,000

$12,500

Credential

$5,500

$7,000

$12,500

Graduate CL/CC

$8,500

$12,000

$20,500



Maximum Aggregate Loan Amounts
Federal Stafford Loans
Borrower's Academic Level Subsidized and Unsubsidized Totals

Dependent Undergraduate Students

$31,000 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized)

Independent, Undergraduate/Credential Students

$57,500 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized)

Graduate Students

$138,500 (no more than $65,500 of which can be subsidized)



Stafford Loan Application Process

Step 1: Complete and submit a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA

  • Visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
  • Make sure to include San José State University (SJSU) on your FAFSA. Federal School Code: 001155.

Step 2: SJSU will send you an acknowledgement letter when SJSU receives your application data

  • Go online to my.sjsu.edu and check your “To Do” items. Complete and return all requested documents for financial aid processing.

Step 3: Review Award Notice on MySJSU

  • Review and follow all instructions in the notice.

Step 4: Submit required loan documents

  • Go online to my.sjsu.edu. Download and print the Federal Stafford Loan Request Form from your "To Do" items.
  • Select a lender. To choose a lender, click here . Note: All lenders offer similar terms and conditions. It is important to research each lender to compare benefits and services each lender provides.
  • Complete the entire Loan Request Form and return it immediately - Loan processing will take at least 4-6 weeks after we receive this form (approved loan requests are then electronically transmitted by the SJSU Financial Aid Office to EdFund, the California State Loan Guarantor).
  • Complete Entrance Loan Counseling prior to receiving your loan disbursement if you are a first-time federal student loan borrower at SJSU. You may complete this mandatory requirement online, or by appointment. Go to the entrance loan counseling section of our website for more details.
  • A Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be on file with the lender. You will be sent an MPN to complete and sign if you are a first time borrower. The MPN must be returned to the lender before funds are released to SJSU and disbursed on your behalf.

Step 5: Loan Disbursement

  • Loan funds will be electronically transmitted to SJSU and disbursed to your student account to pay any outstanding debts owed to the university (tuition, fees, etc). The balance, if any, is then sent by the Bursar's Office, and a check is disbursed to the mailing address which you maintain online on my.sjsu.edu

 
 

 


Did you know

 

 

Financial Aid & Scholarship Office 

One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0036
408-283-7500
fao@sjsu.edu
Fed. School Code: 001155

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