Loans
Free Tuition Program for Fall 2025
UMass Dartmouth is proud to announce a transformative initiative, the UMass Dartmouth Deal, which will provide free tuition and mandatory fees to high-need, in-state undergraduate students. Read more to see if you qualify.
Federal Loans
A type of financial aid, loans are borrowed money that must be repaid. Lenders charge interest on the borrowed amount for its use. The Department of Education's federal Direct Loan Program offers loans for completing the FAFSA. You may accept less than the offered amount. Only borrow what you need.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Borrowers must:
- Be an undergraduate
- Complete the FAFSA
- Demonstrate financial need based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/ Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or an eligible certificate program
- If a first-time borrower: submit Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans online
- Complete Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling online after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping beneath half-time enrollment
Loan Amounts are based on earned academic credits:
- 29 or fewer credits: $3,500
- 30-59 credits: $4,500
- 60 or more credits: $5,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Borrowers must:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or an eligible certificate program
- If a first-time borrower: submit Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans online
- Complete Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling online after graduating, withdrawing or dropping beneath half-time enrollment
Loan Amounts are based on earned academic credits and dependency status.
Dependent students: $2,000
Independent students:
- 29 or fewer credits: $6,000
- 30-59 credits: $6,000
- 60 or more credits: $7,000
Parent borrowers denied a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan may help their dependent student qualify for an additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan of $4,000 for lower-level students and $5,000 for upper-level students.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
Dependent students must:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or an eligible certificate program
Parent borrowers must:
- Be either the student's biological or adoptive parent
- Complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application for Parents
- If a first time borrower: submit a PLUS Master Promissory Note for Parents online
Parents may borrow up to their students' cost of attendance per award year.
Interest accrues immediately after the first disbursement. Repayment begins 45-60 days after the second disbursement. Deferred repayment options are available.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Borrowers must:
- Be a graduate/professional student
- Complete the FAFSA
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or eligible certificate program
- Complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application for Graduate/Professional Students
- If a first-time borrower: submit Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a PLUS Master Promissory Note for Graduate/Professional Students
- Complete Exit Counseling online after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping beneath half-time enrollment
Interest accrues immediately after the first disbursement. Repayment begins 45-60 days after the second disbursement. Deferred repayment options are available.
Federal Loan Repayment
You may consider a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan, or signing up for income-driven repayment plans, to restructure your student loan debt. Income-driven repayment plans are designed to make your student loan debt more manageable by reducing your monthly payment amount.