Loans

Academic Year 2026-27 and Beyond

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

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 for undergraduate students, 36 total credit hours (12 credits per term)  will be used to represent full-time enrollment. Although a student may be enrolled in more than 12 credits hours in any given term, no more than one-third of the maximum total loan eligibility may be offered.  The exception is when a student is expected to graduate in less than an academic year. Students who will graduate in a earlier term should complete the Enrollment Adjustment Form.

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 undergraduate program where students typically enroll full-time. The student is offered $5,500 in an subsidized loan, and $2,000 in an unsubsidized loan, which they accept. Prior to disbursement, the student submits an enrollment adjustment form to indicate they will be enrolled in 9 credit hours for the fall term, and 12 credit for the winter and spring terms. 

Subsidized total loan eligibility:  33 credit hours/ 36 credit hours = 92% of $5,500 or $5,060      

Unsubsidized total loan eligibility: 33 credit hours/ 36 credit hours = 92% of $2,000 or $1,840         

Learn more about Schedule of Reduction and how it is applied in the next section, Federal Direct Loans for Students.

Federal and Private Loan Options

• Federal Direct Loans for Students

  Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans are the most widely-used loans for undergraduate students. If you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you'll have at least one of these loans offered as a part of your financial aid package.

  Eligibility:

  Federal Direct  Loans are available to students enrolled in a degree-seeking program for whom we've received a valid FAFSA. Subsidized loans are offered to students deemed to have financial need according to the FAFSA, while unsubsidized loans are available for all students who are eligible.

  Maximum Loan Amount:

  The Maximum Total represents the total amount that a undergraduate student may receive for the academic year based on class level. The Maximum Subsidized represents the portion of the Maximum Total that a student may receive in a subsidized loan, if eligible, based on information provided on the FAFSA.     

  Eligible students will receive a financial aid offer that will include a student loan up to the Maximum Total based on class level. No more than 1/3 of the maximum total may be received for any term, unless the student will be graduating earlier in the academic year.

   

  	Class	Maximum Total	Maximum Subsidized
  Dependent Students:	1st-Year Students	$5,500	$3,500
  	2nd-Year Students	$6,500	$4,500
  	3rd- and 4th-Year Students	$7,500	$5,500
  Independent Students:	1st-Year Students	$9,500	$3,500
  	2nd-Year Students	$10,500	$4,500
  	3rd- and 4th-Year Students	$12,500	$5,500

  Video: Federal Direct Student Loan Limits

   

  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.

  
  Direct Loan Interest Rate:

  • For undergraduate loans borrowed during the 2026-27 academic year: 6.52%

  
  These interest rates are fixed for the life of the loan.

  For subsidized loans, the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you're enrolled at least half time (six credits or more). Interest accrues on unsubsidized loans while you are in school and on both types of loans after you leave school. You can pay the interest as it accrues, if you wish. If not paid, interest will be capitalized when repayment begins.

  Origination Fee: 

  A loan origination fee is deducted at disbursement of each installment of the loan. For loans first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2020 and before Oct. 1, 2025, the fee is 1.057%.

  Requirements to receive loan:

  You must complete both a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling online at StudentAid.gov and remain enrolled at least half-time (six credits or more).

  Repayment:

  You're not required to make any payments while in school. Repayment begins six months after you graduate, withdraw or drop below half-time enrollment. Payments are made to your Direct Loan servicer each month. The minimum payment is $50, but that amount will likely be higher depending on the total amount borrowed.

  The standard repayment period is 10 years but can be as long as 25 years depending on total borrowing and chosen repayment plan.

   

  Learn More About Direct Loans

• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

  The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Parent PLUS loan) is a credit-based loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Students will not have this loan included in their financial aid offer. Parents must apply separately for this loan via StudentAid.gov and may borrow up to the student's total cost of attendance, minus all other financial aid.

   
  Eligibility: 

  The Parent PLUS loan is available to credit-worthy parents of dependent undergraduate students who have submitted a FAFSA, regardless of financial need. To be approved, the parent must not have an adverse credit history.

  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 are considered to be independent if they are: at least 24 years old; married; have children; a graduate student; a veteran; a member of the armed forces; an orphan, ward of the court, or homeless. If none of those apply, they are considered to be dependent for federal student aid purposes.

  Options if Denied: 

  If you are denied a Parent PLUS loan because of adverse credit, you may...

  • Reapply with a credit-worthy cosigner.
  • Appeal the denial with the Department of Education if there are extenuating circumstances related to your credit history that you can document.
  • Contact us--your student may be eligible for an additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan.

  
  Maximum Loan Amount: 

  Effective July 1, 2026, new borrowers must adhere to the following Parent PLUS Loan limits:

  • annual loan amount of up to  $20,000 per academic year per dependent student.
  • aggregate loan amount may not exceed $65,000 per dependent student.

  New borrowers are parents who:

  •  have not  borrowed a Federal Direct Parent PLUS prior to July 1, 2026 on behalf of their dependent student while enrolled in their  current program of study at DU and,
  • their dependent student has not borrowed a Federal Direct Loan (subsidized/unsubsidized) prior to July 1, 2026 for their current program of study at DU.

  Continuing Direct Loan student borrowers at DU, or parents who have borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan prior to July 1, 2026, on behalf of a dependent student enrolled in a credentialed program at DU, may continue to borrow Parent PLUS loans up the student's cost of attendance under current loan program rules for up to three more academic years or the remainder of that program’s published program length at DU, whichever is shorter. 

  Please note the legacy exception only applies to parent borrowers so long as the dependent student continues in their current program of study. Parent of students who lose legacy status will be subject to the new borrower loan amounts— including having existing parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of the dependent student, recalculated and applied to the aggregate loan maximum of $65,000 per dependent student.

  >>Learn more about Direct Loan limits

  Interest Rate: 

  Parent PLUS loans offer interest rates that remain fixed for the life of the loan.

  • For loans borrowed during the 2026-27 academic year: 9.07%
  • For loans borrowed during the 2025-26 academic year: 8.94%

  
  Interest accrues while the student is in school, during any grace period, and during repayment. You can pay the interest as it accrues if you wish. If not paid, interest will be capitalized when repayment begins.

  Origination Fee: 

  A loan origination fee is deducted at the disbursement of each installment of the loan. For loans with a first disbursement on or after Oct. 1, 2020, and before Oct. 1, 2025, the fee is 4.228%.

  How to Apply: 

  You must sign in to StudentAid.gov using your own FSA ID, request a PLUS loan, and complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

  A credit check will be conducted once you begin the loan application process. If you were initially denied the Parent PLUS loan but have since qualified by obtaining an endorser or documenting extenuating circumstances, you will also be required to complete PLUS Counseling. This can be completed through StudentAid.gov as well.

  Once you're approved, the Department of Education will send us confirmation of your loan approval and the details of the requested amount. The loan will be added to your student's financial aid award after processing.

  Repayment: 

  Repayment begins 60 days after the last disbursement of the loan. However, repayment can be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six-month grace period after the student graduates. Payments are made to your Direct Loan servicer each month. The minimum payment is $50, but that amount will likely be higher depending on the total amount borrowed.

  The standard repayment period is 10 years but can be as long as 25 years depending on total borrowing and chosen repayment plan.

   

  Learn More About PLUS Loans

  Federal Policy Changes Affecting Higher Education

• Private Educational Loan Information

  Many financial institutions offer private student loans, sometimes called alternative loans.  These are credit-based loans to help cover remaining educational expenses after federal loans have been applied.  The total amount you receive cannot exceed your total cost of attendance after all other forms of financial aid have been applied. While competitive, interest rates may vary among lenders and a co-signer is often required where established credit cannot be demonstrated. 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. 

  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 Lenders for Private Educational Loans

   

  University of Denver 2026-27 Preferred Lender List for Undergraduate Students

  Lender Name	Citizens Bank	Massachusetts Educational  Financing Authority (MEFA)	SoFi
  Fixed interest Rate	UG: 3.24%-14.74%*  Parent: 5.45%-10.46%*	UG: 3.29%-8.89%*	3.23%-15.99%
  Variable Interest Rate	4.31%-14.08%*  4.31%–12.58%*  4.84%-10.52%*	None	4.64%-15.99%
  Co-Signer Release	Available immediately upon repayment	Yes	After 12 month
  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	None
  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. 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 Selection 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 to our graduate student population in consideration of recent federal policy changes. 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 lender options, review our list of historical lenders, below,  which includes lenders used by other University of Denver undergraduate students and parents. Each listed lender has provided loans to at least five DU student or parent borrowers during the past five years.

   

  • Abe
  • Ascent * **
  • Citizens Bank * ** 
  • College Ave * **
  • Earnest*
  • Custom Choice
  • Elevations Credit Union
  • LendKey
  • MEFA
  • MPower Financing **
  • National Education
  • Navy Federal Credit Union
  • Nelnet **
  • Old National Bank
  • RISLA
  • Sallie Mae
  • SoFi * **
  • Student Choice
  • Union Federal **
  • VSAC

   

  "*" indicate loan options for parents of undergraduate students.

  "**" indicate international student loan options.