Federal Direct Loans

UMass Law participates in the federal Title IV Direct Loan program, offering Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus loans.

Eligibility Requirements

Borrowers must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.

Unsubsidized Loans

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents and Eligible Non-Citizens
Enrolled at least half-time
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (as defined by your school)
Cannot be in default on a federal student loan

Graduate PLUS Loans

Be a graduate or professional degree student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school in a program leading to a degree or certificate
Not have an adverse credit history*

* Applicants can add an endorser or appeal their credit decisions if denied.

Graduate Plus Loan Q & A

Annual & aggregate limits

Unsubsidized Loans

For Graduate or Professional Students, the annual loan limit is $20,500 and the aggregate loan limit is $138,500

Graduate PLUS loans

Graduate or Professional Students can borrow up to the cost of the student's annual attendance minus other financial aid the student receives.

Interest rates & fees

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loan interest rates vary depending on the loan type and the first disbursement date of the loan. The table below provides interest rates for Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018. All interest rates shown are fixed rates for the life of the loan.

Interest rates for Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018 & before July 1, 2019

Loan Type	Borrower Type	Fixed Interest Rate
Direct Subsidized Loans & Direct Unsubsidized Loans	Undergraduate	5.05%
Direct Unsubsidized Loans	Graduate or Professional	6.6%
Direct PLUS Loans	Parents and Graduate or Professional Students	7.6%

Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans have fees that area percentage of the total loan amount. The loan origination fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive.

Origination fees for Direct Loans on or after October 1, 2017

Loan Type	First Disbursement Date	Loan Fee
Direct Unsubsidized Loans	On or after 10/1/18 and before 10/1/19	1.062%
	On or after 10/1/17 and before 10/1/18	1.066%
Direct PLUS Loans	On or after 10/1/18 and before 10/1/19	4.248%
	On or after 10/1/17 and before 10/1/18	4.264%