University of South Florida

First things first: Cost of Attendance The best sources of aid are those that you don't have to pay back; therefore, it is in your best interest to first look to your academic department or professional school for assistance (for example; teaching assistants ships, fellowships, fee waivers, etc). You may also want to check out Financial Aid Programs At-A-Glance. Step 1: Apply for Admission Step 2: Complete the FAFSA Step 3: Complete your file Step 4: Learn to use OASIS Step 5: Be sure your correct email address is in OASIS Step 6: Sign up for eDeposit Step 7: Read your award notice Step 8: Report Funds From Other Sources Step 9: Get your aid

Report Funds From Other Sources

Federal regulations prohibit you from receiving more financial aid than your cost of attendance.  Aid received from outside sources will affect your aid eligibility.  Additional aid sources may include:

• Tuition WaiversFellowshipsScholarshipsStipends

• Veterans Education Benefits, etc.

If you are expecting funds from these or other sources, let us know immediately using the Additional Resources Form to avoid an unpleasant surprise if we have to recover funds already disbursed to you.  Your awards will be revised to reflect any changes.

Loans for Graduate Students

Loan Periods
2007-2008 Aid Year (Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Summer 2008)	2008-2009 Aid Year (Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Summer 2009)
Fall 2007: 08/27/07- 12/14/07 Spring 2008: 01/07/08 - 05/02/08 Summer 2008: 05/12/08 - 08/08/08	Fall 2008: 08/25/08- 12/12/08 Spring 2008: 01/05/09 - 05/01/09 Summer 2008: 05/11/09 - 08/07/09

---

You must determine how much to borrow based on your personal resources, the length of your program, and your ultimate career plans. Keep in mind that the Office of Financial Aid cannot certify more than the total cost of the your program; which includes tuition, housing, meals, books & supplies, and personal expenses.Students should consider their loan debt and examine their budgets to minimize expenses in an effort to avoid the temptation to borrow too much. Consult the loan payment calculator on www.finaid.org to see what monthly payments will be after graduation to help determine how much loan money to borrow.

Federal Stafford Loans

Stafford loans are awarded as either subsidized or unsubsidized.

Subsidized Stafford loans are need-based loans made directly to you with a low interest rate and lenient repayment terms. Payments are deferred as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time. Repayment of interest and principal does not begin until six months after graduation. No interest accrues until the loan is in repayment.Unsubsidized Stafford loans are also made directly to you at a low interest rate. However, they are not based on need and interest begins to accrue from the date of disbursement. Repayment of accrued interest and principal does not begin until six months after graduation, but the student may choose to pay the interest as it accrues.

Federal Stafford Loan Limits

Per Year	Cumulative Limit
Subsidized $8,500	$138,500 (subsidized and unsubsidized total)*
Unsubsidized $12,000	$138,500 (subsidized and unsubsidized total)*
* - No more than $65,500 of this aggregate amount may be in subsidized loans.

Link to Federal Stafford Recommended Lenders

Link to Federal Grad PLUS Loan Information

Link to Federal Grad PLUS Recommended Lenders

Federal Loan Repayment

• Federal Stafford Loan Exit Interview

• Consolidation Information Defaulted Loans (Department of Education)

• Student Loan Ombudsman

Private Loans

A private loan is a privately financed education loan, which is offered by banks and other organizations. A creditworthy co-applicant may be required as these are credit-based loans. Individual eligibility will vary according to cost, need, and any other aid being received by the student.

Link to Private Loan Recommended Lenders

svincent - 6/4/08