Eligibility
US Federal Student Loans are only available to students at the university of Hull who started their course in 2024 or earlier. Your eligibility for US Federal Title IV Loans will be assessed by the information provided on your FAFSA.
Enrolment Status
You must be enrolled and continue to be enrolled at least half-time at the University of Hull this will allow you to remain eligible for Federal Loans. If you withdraw or drop below half-time enrolment then you must email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk immediately.
Courses Ineligible for Federal Loans
The University of Hull is approved to certify Federal Student Loans for degree programs. The University has not been approved to certify Federal Loans for the following:
- Courses including clinical years, such as clinical undergraduate Medicine
- Certificate or Diploma programs
- Programs with study of less than half time, online study or distance learning study
- Programs with a study abroad/work placement year
- If any part of your program entails study abroad, the course you wish to study is only eligible for Federal Direct Loans if you go to a university also eligible to administer Federal Direct Loans. Please email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk before applying for your loan so that we can assess your eligibility.
- Any postgraduate research program involving research to be undertaken in the US or a writing-up period in the US is not permitted. If you will be conducting research that can only be undertaken in the US, please email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk before applying for your loan so that we can assess your eligibility.
Students wishing to study one of the above programs may be eligible for Private Loans.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
To remain eligible for US federal student loans throughout your studies, a student must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP). The University's SAP policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate students taking US Federal Student Loans to study at the University of Hull
Full details of the SAP process and the procedures to be followed if a student fails to meet SAP requirements are outlined on our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) section.
Loan types, amounts and repayments
There are a variety of different loans available. The loan you need to apply for will depend on whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student. Undergraduate loans will also depend on your dependency
Subsidized loans are only available to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal regulations. No interest is charged whilst you are studying at least half-time, during the grace period (the first 6 months after you finish University) and during deferment periods (a postponement of loan payments).
Unsubsidized loans are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students. They are not based on financial need. Interest is charged during all periods.
Parent PLUS loans are available for parents of undergraduate students who are classed as dependent. Parents can borrow up to the total estimated Cost of Attendance as issued by the University of Hull. Parent PLUS loans are the responsibility of the parent and not the student.
Grad PLUS Loans are available for postgraduate students. A graduate may borrow up to the total estimated Cost of Attendance as issued by the University of Hull
Private Loans are not federal loans but are available to most US citizens.
Students studying in the UK are not eligible for Perkins Loans or Pell Grants.
Cost of Attendance (CoA)
A Cost of Attendance (CoA) is part of the University of Hull Loan Application Process. The CoA is an estimate of your educational related costs for the academic year. The CoA will specify the total amount you may be eligible to borrow through federal loans minus any other aid you may be receiving for that academic year such as bursaries or scholarships. If you are eligible for a Subsidized loan, your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will also be deducted from a CoA figure to establish your ‘financial need’.
The CoA for students studying at the University of Hull is set using the University affordability calculator. This will increase in line with inflation for each academic year. These educational costs relate only to you, the student. These costs cannot include costs for partners or children (other than childcare or nursery costs). These broad-based costs can be broken down as follows as a guide as to how much you may need for your year of study:
- Tuition fees
- Living costs
- Accommodation fees
- Travel
- Miscellaneous - a set amount to include general expenses including loan origination fees and charges.
- Student Visa
- Immigration Health Check
Please note, whilst your CoA can include Travel, we cannot issue loan payments before the beginning of the academic year so you should not rely on your first payment to finance your travel to Hull and the UK
If you are in receipt of scholarship or bursary funding, either from the University or another source, you must inform us so that this can be factored into your Cost of Attendance. Failure to do so will result in a recalculation and reduction of your loan later in the academic year when it is discovered you are in receipt of additional sources of funding.
While your costs may vary depending on where you stay in Hull, we expect your cost of attendance to be roughly in line with our estimates.
How to apply
Step 1 – Complete your FAFSA
If you meet the eligibility criteria, and you wish to apply for US Federal Loans to study at the University of Hull you should complete a FAFSA application. You will need to create a FSA ID and password to complete your FAFSA.
If you are a continuing loan student, complete a renewal FAFSA (you will only be required to indicate any information that has changed since last year).
You can complete your FAFSA from the October before the academic year you wish to study in. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit a complete loan application in good time to meet the University of Hull’s tuition fee (and accommodation fee if relevant).
You will need to include the University of Hull’s School Federal Direct Loan Code G08910 on your FAFSA.
*Once you have completed your FAFSA, this will produce a Student Aid Report (SAR) and this will be used by the University to determine your loan eligibility.
Step 2 – Complete Entrance Counselling
You must complete Entrance Counselling for the type of loan you wish to borrow. Even if you have previously completed Entrance Counselling for the type of federal student loan you need to do this every year you take out a loan to study at the University of Hull
Use the University school code G08910
Step 3 – Complete your Master Promissory Note(s) (MPNs)
Undergraduates: Complete an MPN for the Subsidised and Unsubsidised loans, and, if applicable, your parent should complete a separate MPN for the Parent PLUS loan.
Graduates: Complete one MPN for the Unsubsidised loan and one for the Grad PLUS loan.
MPNs are completed on the Student Loans website. Use the University school code G08910
As we are a foreign school, new MPNs must be completed for each year of study.
Once approved by the system we will be able to view MPNs, so you do not need to send us copies.
Step 4 – Apply for the PLUS Loan (if applicable) to create a Credit Check
If you are intending to apply for a PLUS loan, or your parent will be applying for a Parent PLUS loan, you, or the parent, will need to complete the “Apply for a PLUS Loan” section. This should automatically trigger a Credit Check. Once approved by the system you need to inform us and send us a pdf copy of the credit check approval.
Use the University school code G08910 on your PLUS loan request.
Step 5 – Complete your Cost of Attendance
The University of Hull has a will calculate your cost of attendance which is the absolute maximum amount of loan you can borrow. These are the types of loans you can borrow.
Step 6 – Complete your Amount request form
Once you have received your Cost of Attendance, please confirm the types and amounts of loans you would like to borrow by completing the Financial Aid amount request form and returning it to usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk.
Step 7 – Email us at usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk
Although we are notified of your FAFSA application once you have completed steps 1-6, we require you to send us a PDF copy of all documentation. These must be the final documents and fully signed by you.
Step 8 – Loan Certification
If steps 1-7 have been successfully completed, the University will complete your loan on the US systems. We are not able to certify your US loans on the US Systems until early July each year. You will receive a notification letter from us outlining the amount of loans you are eligible for, your disbursement dates, and the period / academic year your loan relates to. The wording and format of this letter has been agreed with UK Visas and Immigration as acceptable proof of funding for visa applications.
This loan notification letter will be emailed to you in the first instance and posted to your US address by international signed-for delivery to ensure that you have the original hard-copy documentation required for your visa application. The UK visa authorities may require you to submit the original documentation - they will not usually accept copies.
For information on visa support and advice, contact the Student Visa Services.
Disbursements/Receiving your loan
Federal Loan Disbursements
The first disbursement of loans will not be paid until students are fully registered at the University of Hull.
In case of any unforeseen events, please ensure you have personal funds in place to cover your living costs for the first four weeks of the academic year.
There will be two equal instalments for undergraduate students and postgraduate taught students on the following dates:
- Disbursement 1: mid-September
- Disbursement 2: mid-February
There will be two equal instalments for postgraduate research students on the following dates:
- Disbursement 1: mid-September
- Disbursement 2: mid-February
The actual amount of each disbursement in GBP(£) will be dependent upon the exchange rate used to convert USD($) to GBP(£) on that date. Your loans will also be subject to an origination fee.
The University will deduct your tuition fees for the academic year in equal instalments from each disbursement. If you are in University accommodation, the University will deduct your accommodation fees from each disbursement.
Tuition and accommodation deductions will be made in Pounds Sterling and the remaining loan amount will be credited to your bank account in US Dollars on each of the above disbursement dates. The University cannot know in advance or guarantee the exchange rate used at the point of each disbursement.
Students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to receive the next disbursement.
Excess funding after tuition and other miscellaneous cost are taken will be paid to you by BACS and you will need to provide your UK bank details to student finance.
Fees and interest rates
Origination Fees
Most federal student loans have loan fees that are a percentage of the total loan amount. The loan fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive while enrolled in school. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you actually borrow. You’re responsible for repaying the entire amount you borrowed and not just the amount you received. Origination fees change each year.
Interest rates
The interest rate varies depending on the loan type and (for most types of federal student loans) the first disbursement date of the loan. Interest rates change each year from the 1st July
Amending, decreasing or cancelling a loan
If you wish to increase your Federal US Loans during the academic year and you have not previously requested up to the maximum in your Cost of Attendance (CoA), please email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk. You cannot borrow more than the maximum CoA figure.
If you wish to decrease your Federal US Loans please email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk. The reduction will be spread across any remaining funds.
If you wish to cancel your loan, please email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk at least two weeks before the upcoming disbursement date. There is a short period after receipt of your disbursement where you can ask the University to return federal loan funds to the US, but you will be responsible for all bank charges and fees if the payment has already been made.
If you wish to cancel your Federal Loan and the timeframe for doing so through the University has passed, you can still make a payment direct to your lender. You are advised to contact your lender for up to date details on cancelling your loan – your lender details can be found on NSLDS.
If you cancel your federal loan after receiving a disbursement you are required to complete Exit Counselling.
Loan requirements during your studies
NSLDS reporting
In accordance with Federal Regulations,the University of Hull must report your enrolment status to the US Department of Education via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) every 60 days. Reporting students as studying full-time or half-time at Hull will defer any previous Federal US Loans taken out before you started your studies at Hull.
The University is required to confirm enrolment status as follows on the NSLDS system:
- Students studying full-time will be reported as F, or H if studying half-time, and will remain as eligible to receive Federal US Loans all year.
- Students who are studying less than half-time will be reported as L and will be ineligible for Federal US Loans. Students who have completed their studies but are awaiting the outcome of the exam board will be reported as L.
- Students will be reported as G for graduated once the exam board confirm the student has successfully completed their studies.
- Students who suspend for more than 180 days or who withdraw from their studies will be reported as W and will be ineligible for Federal US Loans.
- If your mode of attendance is reported as less than half-time, withdrawn or graduated, you will no longer be eligible for any in-school deferment requests. You should refer to the Repayment terms of your loans when the status of your studies change.
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
To remain eligible for Federal US Loans during the academic year, students must meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP), and this will be measured prior to each disbursement. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with the SAP Policy.
The Supervisor may be emailed prior to each disbursement and asked to complete a form to confirm whether the student is or is not meeting SAP. Or the Financial Aid administrator will check the student records system to ensure that SAP is being met.
Exit counselling
Students coming to the end of their studies are required to complete Exit Counselling for each type of Federal US Loan borrowed. This is a condition of your loan terms.
- You will be emailed to remind you to complete Exit Counselling and ask you to email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk once you have completed Exit Counselling.
- You are required to complete Exit Counselling if you drop to less than half-time, withdraw from your studies or complete your studies.
- You can complete Exit Counselling on the Student Loans website.
Satisfactory academic progress
To be eligible for US federal student loans, a student must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP). This policy applies to all students taking federal student loans (also known as ‘Direct Loans’, ‘Title IV’ loans and ‘federal aid’) such as Subsidised loans, Unsubsidised loans, Graduate PLUS loans and Parent PLUS loans. It applies to undergraduate, postgraduate, full-time and part-time students.
Students are advised to familiarise themselves with these SAP guidelines in order to successfully complete their academic programme and continue to receive federal student loans:
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy
If you have any questions regarding this SAP Policy, please contact the Financial Aid Administrator by emailing usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk.
Every effort has been made to ensure that this policy is as accurate as possible and meets the US Department of Education guidelines at the time of writing. However, this policy may change in line with changes made by the US Department of Education at any time and will be updated accordingly as soon as possible.
Suspending, withdrawing, transferring course or changing the status of your studies
It is essential that you email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk if you change the status of your studies as follows:
- Suspend
- Withdraw
- Transfer course
- Upgrade or downgrade
- Change from full-time to half-time or less than half-time
Under US federal law, the University is required to report any changes to your enrolment within tight timescales. For students who withdraw from their studies, suspend their studies, or complete their studies earlier than expected, it may be necessary, to complete a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation, and arrange for the return of any ‘unearned’ funds to the US Department of Education.
If you are thinking of changing the status of your studies and want to know what your US Federal Loan entitlement will be, please email usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk.
R2T4 Calculations
The Financial Aid Administrator will complete a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation to calculate the amount of Title IV program assistance that has been earned, using a formula provided by the US Department of Education.
If it is calculated that you have completed more than 60% of your payment period, all the assistance you were due to receive for the payment period is considered to have been earned and no funds need to be returned.
If it is calculated that you have completed less than 60% of your payment period the University may need to return funds to the US Department of Education. Any funds you have already received after your tuition fees were deducted are not to be repaid immediately, but will be repaid as outlined in your MPN.
If a student has not received a disbursement of Federal aid funds at the beginning of a disbursement period and subsequently withdraws, the amount of funds that a student has earned will be calculated and the appropriate amount will be disbursed.
The requirements for Title IV program funds when you withdraw are separate from the University’s refund policy for current students. Therefore, you may still owe funds to the University to cover unpaid institutional charges. The University may also attempt to collect any Title IV program funds from you that the University is required to return.
Withdrawal dates for students who officially withdraw will be determined by the completion of a withdrawal form and an agreement between the School and the student of a last date of attendance. Withdrawal dates for students who unofficially withdraw will be the date that the University becomes aware that a student ceased attendance.
Unearned Federal aid funds will be returned no later than 45 days after determining the withdrawal date.
If it is determined that refund money must be returned to the aid programme, the distribution of funds will be allocated in the following order:
- Federal Stafford Unsubsidised
- Federal Stafford Subsidised
- Federal PLUS
The Student Funding Office will inform withdrawn students by email of the amount that the University is obliged to return to the US Federal aid programme, the amount (if any) that needs to be paid to the University by the student, and the amount (if any) that is due to be refunded to the student by the University.
Repaying your loan
It is important that you understand your rights and obligations when borrowing Federal US Loans. Students are advised to fully research and understand responsible borrowing and repayment before requesting Federal Student Loans. The Federal Student Aid webpage has an estimate calculator where you can calculate your estimated loan repayments.
Entrance Counselling and Exit Counselling is a condition of your loan agreement and should be completed before you start your course at Hull, and as you are coming to the end of your studies at Hull. It will inform you about repayment and money management, and advise you how to make the necessary arrangements before and during repayment.
Your Student Loan must be repaid. If you do not meet the loan repayments as required by your loan servicer, you will go into default. You are advised to keep in touch with your loan servicer and discuss your options if you are struggling to meet your repayments. You are also advised to update your loan servicer of any changes to your personal details such as address, phone number, enrolment status.
Useful guides on repaying loans and default:
- The Federal Student Aid webpage provides up to date information on repayment of Federal Loans.
- The Federal Student Aid webpage provides up to date information on default.
- You may also find the Guide to Financial Aid useful
Private loans
The University does not recommend any private lender, however as far as we are aware there is only one private lender that makes loans available to US citizens receiving their degree at a foreign school. Please see The GEMS Smart Option Student Loan from Sallie Mae information. The loans are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. Unlike Title IV loans they can also be used for distance learning or for courses that involve a period of study in the USA.
You should fully review the loan options available to you and long term repayment plans before committing to a private loan or any other loan.
Make sure you read the information regarding the loan interest rates and repayment options. Consider your long-term borrowing and your repayments against your future employment salary expectations.
Eligibility for Sallie Mae loans
Sallie Mae loans are available for the majority of courses on offer at the University of Hull. Unlike Title IV loans you can take out a Sallie Mae loan for courses that are less than half time attendance studied by distance learning are postgraduate certificate or diploma level courses which include distance taught (on-line) courses in the USA. Your eligibility for a Sallie Mae loan will be based upon your credit profile, or that of your co-signer or parents, as appropriate.
How to apply for Sallie Mae Loan
Please refer to the points listed below which gives you information about the steps you must take for your Sallie Mae loan application. You will need to apply for loans on an annual basis if you require them in future years of study.
Your maximum cost of attendance will be approximately $41000. You will be able to apply for the amount on the Cost of attendance but you will not be able to apply for funding above this maximum amount.
- You must tell us about any other funding you will receive e.g. scholarships or veterans funding, even if you are awaiting the outcome of an application.
- Apply for your Sallie Mae loan online at Sallie Mae Student Loans
- Our federal school code is G089100 and our OPEID is 00891000
- You must complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form. and email this to usfinancialaid@hull.ac.uk
- You are strongly advised to use the repayment estimator to help you calculate your repayment options against your future salary expectations. This will help you plan your borrowing and repayments to avoid problems in the future and minimise defaulting on your loans.
Cost of attendance
The Cost of Attendance (CoA) is the amount of money per academic year that a student can apply for to pay their tuition fees and course materials. Please complete the cost of attendance spreadsheet
What happens next and receiving your loans
The financial aid administrator at the University of Hull will certify your Sallie Mae loan application once you have applied and confirmed you will study with the University of Hull. Note you will have a cooling-off period and the funds cannot be disbursed until this has been complete. Late applications or failure to send us the documentation we require may cause a delay.
Sallie Mae loans are sent to the university as a single payment in full at the start of the academic year. It is not paid in instalments. The process for receipt of funds is as follows:
- Sallie Mae send a cheque to the university in US dollars
- This cheque is then sent directly to you, for banking usually in a UK account.
- You pay your tuition fees and register with the University of Hull
The University of Hull will not be able to use the cheque for your tuitions fees these will have to be paid by you.
Disclosure
- University of Hull (UoH) has no affiliation with and receives no financial incentives from Sallie Mae or any other private lender. UoH does not endorse any Private Education Loan provider located in the United States who offer loans for study at Foreign Schools. UoH does not have any revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender, accept gifts from a lender, guarantor or loan service, have any contracting arrangement providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender, direct borrowers to particular lenders, or refuse or delay loan certifications, offer funds for private loans, offer any staffing assistance to lenders or loan services, offer any advisory board compensation, have any preferred lender.