Loans

Federal Direct Stafford Loans are part of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and consist of subsidized and unsubsidized student loans.  Direct loans are federal low-interest loans available to help eligible students cover the cost of a higher education. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education.

Application Process
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. Eligibility for the direct loan program is determined by information submitted on the FAFSA.  All financial aid applicants who file the FAFSA and are admitted to the college are considered for the federal direct loan program.  The amount of funding available to you will be listed on your financial aid account under My Upstate.

Interest Rates and Loan Terms
Direct loans are awarded based on financial need and may be subsidized, unsubsidized or a combination of the two.  The basic loan terms for both the subsidized and unsubsidized loan are:

Stafford Loan Limits
There are limits on the maximum Stafford Loan amount you may borrow each academic year called an annual loan maximum.  Your annual loan maximum is based on your grade level.  There is also a limit to the total amount of Stafford Loans you may receive over your lifetime and this is called your aggregate loan maximum.  Your aggregate loan maximum is based on your most recent grade level.

Origination Fee
There is a fee to process all federal student loans called an origination fee.  The origination fee for the subsidized and unsubsidized loan program is 1% of the gross amount of the loan.  The origination fee is deducted from the loan before you receive your funds.  The exact amount of the origination fee is reflected in the disclosure statement sent to you by the Department of Education after your loan has been approved.

Master Promissory Note (MPN)
When you receive a Stafford Loan for the first time, you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).  The MPN is the legal document you must sign where you promise to repay your loan and any accrued interest and fees.  The MPN for the Stafford Loan is good for both the subsidized and unsubsidized program and is valid for ten years.  You may complete your MPN online at www.studentloans.gov.

Repayment
Repayment begins six months after graduation or when you are no longer enrolled for a minimum of six credits.  The standard repayment term can extend over a ten year period. Extended repayment options beyond ten years are also available.  More information on repaying your student loan will be provided to you during your student loan exit interview which is conducted prior to graduation.

Subsidized loans are based on financial need.  Interest does not accrue on subsidized loans while you are enrolled in school, during your grace period or during authorized deferment periods.

Effective July 1, 2012, subsidized loans will only be available to undergraduate students.

Graduate students with enrollment periods prior to July 1, 2012 may qualify for the subsidized loan program.  Graduate students with enrollment periods that begin on or after July 1, 2012 will not qualify for the subsidized loan program.  This change in subsidized eligibility is the result of program changes that resulted from the Budget Control Act passed October 2011.

Subsidized Loan Limits

Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need.  Interest is charged on the unsubsidized loan effective the date it is paid to your account and continues to accrue for the entire life of the loan. You are responsible for either paying the interest as it accrues, or adding it to your principal balance and repaying it after you leave school.

Unsubsidized loans are available to students that meet the basic financial aid eligibility requirements.

Unsubsidized Loan Limits

This is a Federal loan administered by the Upstate Medical University and SUNY. Eligibility is determined strictly by financial need and the availability of funds. The interest rate is 5% per year, and begins 9 months after graduation or leaving school.

The Perkins loan can be canceled for full time work as a medical technician. or registered nurse. All of the academic programs in the College of Health Professions meet the criteria for this cancellation.

The Primary Care Loan is a low interest Federal loan for medical students who agree to:

• Enter and complete residency training in primary care within four years after graduation
• Practice in primary care for the life of the loan

Primary Care for this loan is defined as Family Practice, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, or Preventive Medicine.

For borrowers who fulfill this obligation, the interest rate is 5% per year. Interest begins to be charged one year after graduation, and can be deferred for up to 3 additional years while in residency training in one of the required specialties. For borrowers who fail to enter one of these specialties, the interest rate increases to 18% per year.

Eligibility for this loan is determined by financial need and the availability of funds. Federal regulations require that schools use parents' financial information to calculate eligibility.

For more information about loan terms and repayment, contact:

SUNY Student Loan Service Center (http://slsc.albany.edu )
University at Albany
One University Place
Rensselaer, NY 12144-3497.

Both the Upstate Medical University Foundation and the Faculty Student Association provide short and long term loans to students. These loans funds have been donated by various individuals and organizations to assist students.

Short term loans are available to all students at the Center. These are intended for individuals who have emergency expenses, or whose financial aid has been delayed for reasons beyond their control. A maximum of $500 is available, and the loan must be paid within 3 months, or by the end of the academic term. No interest is charged for loans repaid as scheduled. Loans not repaid are charged interest of 5% per year, compounded semi-annually, on the outstanding balance.

To apply for a short term loan, contact:

Bursar's Office at Phone: 315 464-5148

This is a loan from a bank, co-signed by the Federal government. It's available to parents of dependent undergraduates who are enrolled at least half-time and making satisfactory academic progress. The maximum that parents can borrow is equal to the cost of education minus other financial aid awarded. There is no income test for this loan, but parents cannot have a history of adverse credit. A variable rate of interest, capped at 9 percent per year, is charged on the loan.

These are loans from a bank. The Federal government acts as your co-signer. The basic terms of the loans are the same at all lending institutions. Options that can vary are the quality of service (making and collecting the loan) and incentives or options for loan repayment.

Depending on the amount you borrow, you may be dealing with your student loan lender or their servicer for many years. The Financial Aid Office recommends certain lenders because of their high level of service and commitment to the student loan program.

Interest is a fixed rate of 8.50%. The Standard repayment term is a ten year period. Extended repayment options beyond 10 years are also available.

Repayment may be deferred during school if you remain enrolled at least half-time.

If you are an Undergraduate student and your Financial Aid Eligibility Letter lists  a Private Loan, this program may provide an alternative means of paying your educational expenses. Eligibility for these loans involves a review of your credit worthiness. We highly encourage you to borrow your full Federal Loan eligibility before applying for a private loan.

If you are an international student and unable to borrow from Federal Loans, private loans may be an alternative source of funding for you.

If you have borrowed a Stafford loan, you may wish to contact that lender to review their private loan program(s). You may also review other lender's private loan products and compare the terms of the loan.

• Interest rate—fixed or variable. For variable rates- frequently of rate change/ cap on rate
• Fees
• Repayment Terms
• Repayment Benefits
• Deferment or Forbearance options both while in school and out of the school
• Selling/servicing of the loan
• Late Payment Penalties
• Any Early Repayment Penalty

If you need further clarification, please contact our office.