Loans

Academic Year 2026-27 and Beyond

Please be aware of the upcoming changes for the 2026-27 academic year:

• New graduate student loan borrowers will be limited to $20,500 per year and a total maximum aggregate of $100,000 (not including undergraduate loan debt). The new law will also limit new professional student loan borrowers to $50,000 per year and a total maximum aggregate of $200,000 (not including undergraduate loan debt). 
   
• Schedule of Reduction (SOR) requires students enrolled less than full-time who have accepted a Direct Loan will be reviewed at the following points each term:
  • at the time of disbursement - Initial Enrollment Review 
  • at the end of the 100% add/drop period - Post 100% add/drop Period Review
  • at term end- Final Term Review 

Schedule of Reduction (SOR)

The following formula will be used to calculate total loan eligibility for each loan type:    
 

( number of credit hours enrolled for the academic year

                   _________________________________________________________________________         x 100

number of credit hours considered full time for the academic year )

For the purpose of calculating SOR, the following credit hours will be used to represent full-time enrollment:

• Graduate Students 24 total credit hours. 
• Law Students 16 total credit hours.

The number of credit hours enrolled (numerator) will consider a student's current term enrollment and the expected enrollment for subsequent terms included in the academic year.  

Example: 

Student A is enrolled in a graduate program where students typically enroll full-time. The student is offered $20,500 in an unsubsidized loan, and $15,000 in Grad PLUS, which they accept. Prior to disbursement, the student submits an enrollment adjustment form to indicate they will be enrolled in 4 credit hours instead of 8 for the fall term. 

Unsubsidized total loan eligibility:  20 credit hours/ 24 credit hours = 83% of $20,500 or $17,015      

Graduate PLUS total loan eligibility: 20 credit hours/24 credit hours = 83% of $15,000 or $12,450                                                    

To learn more about Schedule of Reduction and how it's applied, please refer to the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Federal Graduate PLUS Loan sections below.               

Federal and Private Loan Options

A graduate degree is an investment in your future, and one way many students choose to fund that investment is through carefully considered borrowing. When managed correctly, an educational loan can be an invaluable tool in financing your DU education, as many educational loans offer more favorable terms than other consumer loans. Of course, since all loans must be repaid, you should explore all of your options and only borrow what you absolutely need.

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  The Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan is the most widely used loan for graduate students. Most all students, for whom we receive a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), will have this loan included in their financial aid offer. 

  Eligibility:

  The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to students for whom we've received a valid FAFSA, enrolled in a degree seeking program in a minimum of 4 credit hours, and are otherwise eligible to receive federal student loans.

  Maximum Loan Limits

  Legacy borrowers—those who have borrowed a Direct loan at DU prior to July 1, 2026, for a program for which they are currently enrolled— will be offered loans according to the maximum loan amount detailed below:

  • Annual loan amount of up to $20,500 per academic year. (Students in the Doctor of Psychology program and Clinical Psychology program are eligible for up to $33,000 per academic year, with an additional $4,167 if enrolled in summer courses.
  • Aggregate loan amount may not exceed $138,500 (including undergraduate loan debt).

  The limits above also apply to legacy borrowers enrolled in a professional program.

  Professional programs offered by DU include: 

  • Law (JD)
  • Clinical Psychology (PsyD, PhD)

  Borrowers who lose legacy loan status will no longer be eligible for the Graduate PLUS loan option and will be subject to the new borrower loan maximum amounts, including the lifetime maximum loan limit described below.

  New borrowers—those who have not borrowed Direct loans for their current program/ or primary program (if dually enrolled) of study at DU prior to July 1, 2026— will be offered loans according to the following maximum loan amounts:  

  • Annual amount of up to $20,500 per academic year.
  • Aggregate loan amount may not exceed $100,000 (excluding undergraduate debt).

  New borrowers, as previously described, that are enrolled in a professional program will be offered loans according to the following maximum loan amount:  

  •  Annual loan amount of up to $50,000 per academic year.
  • Aggregate loan amount may not exceed $200,000 (excluding undergraduate loan debt) 
  • Lifetime maximum loan limit may not exceed $257,500 (includes all federal student loan debt)  

  The lifetime maximum includes federal student loans borrowed for any grade level regardless of whether the loan was paid, cancelled, or discharged.

  New borrowers enrolled in a professional program may not exceed the aggregate loan limit of $200,000 (excluding undergraduate loan debt).

  >>Learn more about Direct Loan limits                                           

                                                                  

  Schedule of Reduction (SOR) Applied

  Enrollment will be evaluated at the following points each term:

  •  at the time of disbursement - Initial Enrollment Review, 
  • at the end of the 100% add/drop period - Post 100% add/drop Period Review,
  • at term end- Final Term Review.

   

  Initial Enrollment Review: Based on enrollment at the time of disbursement and any adjustment will be applied to the current term.

  Post 100% add/drop Period Review: Based on enrollment as of the final day of the 100% add/drop period. Loan adjustments are applied as follows: 

  • If a decrease in enrollment results in a balance due, the subsequent term’s disbursement will be reduced to cover the outstanding amount. 
  • If an increase in enrollment results in additional loan eligibility, any resulting credit balance will be issued for the current term.

   

  Final Term Review: Based on enrollment on the final day of the term. All loan adjustments that occur during this review will be applied to the subsequent term's disbursement.

   

  Direct Loan Interest Rates and Fees

  • For graduate loans borrowed during the 2026-27 academic year: 8.07%

  These interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan and begin accruing when the loan is first disbursed. Interest continues to accrue throughout the life of the loan. You have the option to pay the interest directly to your servicer as it accrues. If not paid, interest will be capitalized when repayment begins.

  Origination Fee: A loan origination fee is proportionately deducted at the disbursement of each installment of the loan. For loans first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2020, and before Oct. 1, 2026, the fee is 1.057%.

  
  Requirements for Disbursement

  You must complete both a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling online at StudentAid.gov, and remain enrolled in a minimum of 4 credits or more, to receive funds.

  Direct Loan Repayment

  No payments are required while you're in school, and repayment begins six months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled in at least 4 credit hours. Payments are made to your Direct Loan servicer each month. Your monthly payment amount will depend on your total borrowing and chosen repayment plan.

  The standard repayment period is 10 years but can be as long as 25 years depending on total borrowing and chosen repayment plan. These loans can also be consolidated with other federal loans.

  >>Learn More about Direct Loan repayment

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

  The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (Grad PLUS loan) is a fixed-interest loan for credit-worthy graduate students who submit the FAFSA, to help with out-of-pocket costs needed to attend college. 

  Direct loan borrowers—those who borrowed a Direct loan at DU prior to July 1, 2026, for their same program of study— will be considered legacy borrowers and will the Graduate PLUS loan option included on their financial aid offer. The legacy loan provision allows legacy borrowers the option to continue borrowing through Graduate PLUS loan program for up to three additional academic years, or for the remainder of that program's published length at DU, whichever period is shorter.

  >>Learn more about the Legacy Loan Provision

   

  Schedule of Reduction Applied

  Enrollment will be evaluated at the following points each term:

  •  at the time of disbursement - Initial Enrollment Review, 
  • at the end of the 100% add/drop period - Post 100% add/drop Period Review,
  • at term end- Final Term Review.

   

  Initial Enrollment Review: Based on enrollment at the time of disbursement and any adjustment will be applied to the current term.

  Post 100% add/drop Period Review: Based on enrollment as of the final day of the 100% add/drop period. Loan adjustments are applied as follows: 

  • If a decrease in enrollment results in a balance due, the subsequent term’s disbursement will be reduced to cover the outstanding amount. 
  • If an increase in enrollment results in additional loan eligibility, any resulting credit balance will be issued for the current term.

   

  Final Term Review: Based on enrollment on the final day of the term. All loan adjustments that occur during this review will be applied to the subsequent term's disbursement.

   

  Credit Check Requirements 

  To be approved for the Graduate PLUS loan, you must not have an adverse credit history. Students who are denied a Graduate PLUS loan because of adverse credit may reapply with a credit-worthy cosigner. If there are documented extenuating circumstances related to your credit history, you may appeal the denial by submitting documentation to the Department of Education.

  Conditions that result in an adverse credit history include:

  • One or more debts with a total combined outstanding balance greater than $2,085 that are 90 or more days delinquent, or that have been placed in collection or charged-off (written off) during the two years preceding the date of the credit report.
  • Having been subject to any of the following conditions during the five years preceding the date of the credit report:
    • Default determination
    • Discharge of debts in bankruptcy
    • Foreclosure
    • Repossession
    • Tax lien
    • Wage garnishment
    • Write-off of a federal student aid debt

  
  Students may borrow up to total cost of attendance, minus all other offered and accepted financial aid.

  Interest Rates and Fees

  • For loans borrowed during the 2026-27 academic year: 9.07%

  
  Interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan and begin accruing when the loan is first disbursed. Interest continues to accrue throughout the life of the loan. You can pay the interest directly to your servicer as it accrues if you wish. If not paid, interest will be capitalized when repayment begins.

  Origination Fee:

  A loan origination fee is proportionately deducted at the disbursement of each installment of the loan. For loans with a first disbursement before Oct. 1, 2026, the fee is 4.228%.

   

  Loan Disbursement Requirements 

  In addition to an approved credit check, you must also complete a Master Promissory Note, and remain enrolled in a minimum of 4 credit hours to receive a disbursement of loan funds applied to your tuition account.

  Loan Repayment  

  No payments are required while you're in school, and repayment begins six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. Payments are made to your Direct Loan servicer each month. Your monthly payment amount will depend on your total borrowing and chosen repayment plan.

  The standard repayment period is 10 years but can be as long as 25 years depending on total borrowing and chosen repayment plan. The Grad PLUS loan can be consolidated with other federal loans.

  >>Learn more about Direct Loan repayment plans and options

• Private Educational Loan Information

  Many financial institutions offer private student loans, sometimes called alternative loans. These programs may offer interest rates and terms that are competitive with those of federal loans. However, federal student loans are legally required to provide a range of repayment options, including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits. Private loans are not required to offer any such flexibility. Since Federal Direct loans are available to all students regardless of financial need, they often represent a preferable funding option. We strongly encourage students to fully utilize federal loan funding before seeking private educational loan options. 

  Private loan interest rates, origination fees, and repayment information all vary widely from lender to lender. If you choose to pursue a private education loan, you will need to apply directly through the lender of your choice. Apply early, as processing may take several weeks. As part of the application process, you will be required to complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form, which is also available on each lender's website. Information needed to complete this form, such as cost of attendance, can be obtained from either your financial aid offer or via My4D.

  Eligibility: Private education loans are available to all credit-worthy students (no FAFSA needed). Eligibility for private loans varies among lenders, but a credit check and/or debt-to-income ratio is usually required. A co-borrower may also be required.

  Maximum Loan Amount: Up to your total cost of attendance, less all other financial aid.

  >>Learn more about federal versus private loans.

• Preferred Lender for Private Educational Loans

   

  University of Denver 2026-27 Preferred Lender List for Graduate and Professional Students

  Lender Name	Citizens Bank	Massachusetts Educational  Financing Authority (MEFA)	SoFi
  Fixed interest Rate	3.24%-13.24%*	7.24%-8.89%*	4.99%-7.49% 6.49% and 8.99%
  Variable Interest Rate	4.31%-14.08%*  4.31%–12.58%*  4.84%-10.52%*	None	None
  Co-Signer Release	Available immediately upon repayment	No	After 12 months
  Repayment Plans	5-year  10-year  15-year	10-year  15-year	5-year  7-year  10-year  15-year
  DU Student Preferred Rates	None	None	4.99% -8.99%
  Multi-Year Approval	Yes	No	Yes
  Grace Period	6 months	6 months	6 months
  Other Fees	None	None	None
  Please note: All loan options require approval by individual lender. An ‘*’ indicates market rates as of 4/9/2026 and are subject to change; lowest published interest rates may include discounts for autodebit payments, repeat borrower discounts, and/or family discounts. SoFi interest rates available until June 30, 2026, subject to their terms and conditions. Students and families are free to borrow from any lender of their choosing, including those not included on the list. DU will process/certify all requests the same without delay.

   

  Preferred Lender Process

  As part of our responsibility to provide students and families with clear and unbiased information, the institution conducts an annual structured Request for Information (RFI) process to identify private education loan lenders for inclusion on our preferred lender list. Lenders that choose to participate are evaluated based solely on the information they voluntarily submit in response to the RFI. The institution does not accept compensation or incentives from any lender for placement on the list, and the presence of a lender does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Students and families are free to borrow from any lender of their choosing, including those not included on the list, and DU will process requests all the same and without delay.

  In reviewing RFI responses for 2026-27 Preferred Lender List, the University applied consistent, student-focused evaluation criteria designed to highlight options that may be beneficial for student borrowers. Priority was first given to lenders offering low, fixed interest rate options. Secondary consideration was given to the overall quality of loan terms, including repayment options, available grace periods, and borrower-friendly features such as co-signer release provisions. Finally, additional consideration was given to lenders whose generally favorable terms also included the option for multi-year loan approval, which may reduce the need for repeated applications. Where lenders offered similar options, the review committee chose the optimal option based on all available terms. These criteria were used solely for informational purposes to assist borrowers in comparing loan options.

  We encourage you to explore a our preferred lender options through ELMSelect to review the details of each product to ensure you are choosing one that best meets your needs.  We will certify loan requests from all lenders, including those that do not appear on our preferred lender list. 

  Upon approval, disbursed loans will first pay toward your charges, and if you have borrowed an amount greater than your bill, the Office of Student Billing will generate a refund to you for the difference.

• Historical Lender List

  Students and families may choose to borrow from any lender, including those not included on our preferred lender list. For additional options, review our Historical Lender List, which includes lenders used by other University of Denver graduate and professional students. Each listed lender has provided loans to at least five DU student borrowers during the past five years.

  • Abe
  • Ascent*
  • Citizens Bank *
  • College Avenue *
  • Earnest
  • Custom Choice
  • Elevations Credit Union
  • Landkey
  • MEFA
  • MPower Financing *
  • National Education *
  • Nelnet*
  • Old National
  • Prodigy *
  • RISLA
  • Sallie Mae
  • SoFi *
  • Student Choice
  • Union Federal Private Student Loan *
  • VSAC

   

  "*" indicate international student loan options.