Federal Loans

What It Is

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to graduate, professional, and undergraduate students, and does not require you to show financial need. Interest accrues from the day the loan is disbursed, including while you are in school.

Who Can Apply

• File a FAFSA and be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security number
• Not be in default on any federal student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant
• Meet CU Anschutz Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards if you are a continuing student

Borrowing Limits

Your total federal aid cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance. If you enroll less than full-time, your annual loan eligibility is reduced in proportion to the credits you take.

Repayment

• Payments are deferred while you are enrolled at least half-time
• You have a 6-month grace period before repayment begins
• Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026 are repaid under the Tiered Standard Plan or RAP
• You may prepay at any time with no penalty

This Loan Is Closed to New Borrowers

As of July 1, 2026, the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is no longer available to new borrowers. Graduate and professional students who did not borrow a federal Direct Loan for their current program before that date will use the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan instead, up to the limits shown above.

Who May Still Qualify

You may continue to borrow Grad PLUS under the legacy provision if you:

• Received a federal Direct Loan of any kind for your current program before July 1, 2026, and
• Remain continuously enrolled in that same program at CU Anschutz

If you qualify, you may borrow for up to 3 more academic years or until you finish your program, whichever comes first. Changing programs, transferring, or withdrawing and re-enrolling in a different program ends this eligibility.

How It Works, If You Qualify

• A credit check is required. If you have an adverse credit history, you may still qualify with an endorser or by documenting extenuating circumstances
• You may borrow up to your Cost of Attendance minus other aid
• Apply at studentaid.gov using your FSA ID