Office of Financial Aid

Federal Direct Stafford Loans 
These are low interest loans for students to help pay for the cost of education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank, and students can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 

First time Federal Direct Stafford Loan borrowers must complete an electronic Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling at the Direct Loans website, studentaid.gov, before the loan can be disbursed. The Master Promissory Note is an agreement to repay the loan.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan 
This is a low interest loan available to students who demonstrate financial need. The government pays the interest on your behalf while you are enrolled in school at least half time. Principal payments begin six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. Information on current interest rates and repayment options can be found at studentaid.gov.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 
This is a low interest loan available to students who do not demonstrate financial need. Interest begins accruing from the time the loan is disbursed, although repayment is deferred while you are enrolled in school at least half-time. If the interest is deferred it will then accrue and become part of the principal that is owed on the loan. Principal payments begin six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. Information on current interest rates and repayment options can be found at studentaid.gov. 

*Direct Loans charges a loan fee (an origination fee) that is a percentage of the principal amount of the loan. The fee is deducted from the loan before you receive the loan funds. Visit studentaid.gov for current fees.

Loans are an important part of financial aid packages. Yes, they must be repaid, but there are smart ways to borrow. For starters, the federal government student loans included in many aid packages come with benefits not typically offered with private bank loans:

• You don’t have to repay any of it until six months after you leave school.
• The interest rate is often lower. It is also fixed; it will never rise.
• The government pays the interest for you on subsidized loans while you’re in school. (With unsubsidized loans, you may want to consider making interest payments while still in school).
• Take only what you need. You can cancel all or part of your loan if you don't need it. 

Review the many loan repayment plans available including income-based repayment, and check out this sample loan repayment schedule. 

Default is the failure to repay a loan according to its terms. For most federal student loans, you will default if you fail to make a required payment for more than 270 days. You can lose eligibility for federal student aid and may face legal consequences. 

There are many repayment plans available including ones based on your income that can help you avoid defaulting on your student loans. Learn about steps to avoid default.

To review your eBill, log into myDU, go to your student account and then the Online Payment Center. On the Online Payment Center page, select the most current date in the "Your Bills" portal. 

Tuition is due in full by the first day of class. If you are unable to pay in full, you can sign up for the university payment plan. There is a $45 fee to enroll in the payment plan each semester. Missed payments will result in a 1% monthly finance charge. Please contact Stars Connect, located in Lewis 115, if you have any questions.

We back up our commitment to personal financial responsibility with our Net Price Calculator, which lets you estimate what you will pay in full-time tuition after factoring in projected financial aid (entering freshmen only). 

Use the Net Price Calculator