The unsubsidized loan is awarded to students regardless of financial need. The student will be charged interest on the loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Students can either pay the interest while in school or it will be capitalized (added to their principal loan balance, thus increasing the amount they will repay).

Students who are first-time borrowers of the Federal Direct Stafford Loans, must complete an electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) and on-line Entrance Loan Counseling to receive the funds. In most cases, the student will be required to complete the MPN and entrance counseling session only once during their years in college. Each year students will need to accept their loan(s) on the Financial Aid To Do List page in MyUI.

Obtain information regarding grace periods and repayment plans from the Federal Student Aid website.

Lender:  Federal Government

Interest Rate - Undergraduate Students

  • Fixed at 5.50% for loans disbursed July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
  • Fixed at 4.99% for loans disbursed July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
  • Fixed at 3.73% for loans disbursed July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022

Interest Rate - Graduate Students:

  • Fixed at 7.05% for loans disbursed July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
  • Fixed at 6.54% for loans disbursed July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
  • Fixed at 5.28% for loans disbursed July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022

Interest Rate - Select Health Professions Graduate/Professional Students

  • Fixed at 7.05% for loans disbursed July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
  • Fixed at 6.54% for loans disbursed July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
  • Fixed at 5.28% for loans disbursed July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022

Interest Free in School:  No

Loan Fee

  • 1.057% for loans disbursed October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2024
  • 1.059% for loans disbursed October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020


Annual & Cumulative Maximums for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

Annual Maximums - Dependent Student (Includes amount of Subsidized Stafford Loan):
(If you change grade levels mid-year, you may be eligible for an increase in your loan amount.)

  • $5,500 freshman (0-29 earned hours)
  • $6,500 sophomore (30-59 earned hours)
  • $7,500 junior and senior (60+ earned hours)

Annual Maximums - Self-Supporting Student (Includes amount of Subsidized Stafford Loan):
(If you change grade levels mid-year, you may be eligible for an increase in your loan amount.)

  • $9,500 freshman (0-29 earned hours)
  • $10,500 sophomore (30-59 earned hours)
  • $12,500 junior and senior (60+ earned hours)
  • $20,500 graduate and professional

Cumulative Maximums

  • $31,000 undergraduate*
  • $57,500 self-supporting undergraduate*
  • $138,500 graduate and professional (includes amount borrowed as undergraduate)**


Annual Maximums for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan for Select Health Professions

Annual Maximums for Pharmacy, MPH, MHA, PhD Clin Psych

  • $12,500 per year for the following 9-month programs: P1, P2, P3, MPH, HHA, PhD Clin Psyc
  • $16,667 per year for the following 12-month programs: P4

Annual Maximums for Med, Dent

  • $22,222 per year for the following 10-month programs: M1, D1, D2
  • $24,444 per year for the following 11-month programs: M2, M4, D3, D4
  • $26,667 per year for the following 12-month programs: M3


​​​​​​​Grace Period:  6 months

  *No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
**No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.