»Federal Student Loans

Beginning July 1, 2026 Graduate PLUS loans will only be available to Students currently enrolled in their graduate program and students beginning enrollment in Spring 2026 and Summer 2026. Students will be allowed to borrow Grad PLUS for up to 3 years (or until the end of their program), provided they have or will have borrowed a federal student loan by July 1, 2026. Students starting their program in Fall 2026 or after will not have access to this loan program. More details about Federal Loan availability and changes may be found on the U.S. Department of Education website or by contacting our office.

For many students, educational loans are necessary in order to help pay for tuition and other educational related expenses. They differ from grants and scholarships, in that they must be repaid to a lender.

Chapman University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program where funding comes directly from the Federal Government.

Federal loans provide the option to cover your tuition and fees as well as living expenses associated with completing a graduate degree.

You can review the availability, current terms, and conditions of these loans at the Federal Student Aid website. Students must complete the FAFSA, be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, be enrolled at least half-time, and complete all necessary forms.

Cost of Attendance Financial Aid Process

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Eligibility for this loan is changing due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Students who have/or will have borrowed a federal student loan by July 1, 2026 in their current graduate program will be considered legacy borrowers and will have different annual and aggregate loan limits.

Annual limits for new borrowers: $20,500 for graduate programs, and $50,000 for professional programs (details of which programs qualify is still being determined).
Annual limits for legacy borrowers: $20,500, except for Pharm.D students who can receive up to $37,167 annually.
The maximum amount may be limited by the actual cost of attendance.
Borrower pays all interest, which begins accruing upon first disbursement.
The interest rate and origination fee information can be found here.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Eligibility for this loan is being phased out. Students currently enrolled in their graduate program and students beginning enrollment in Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 will be allowed to borrow Grad PLUS for up to 3 years (or until the end of their program), provided they have or will have borrowed a federal student loan by July 1, 2026. Students starting their program in Fall 2026 or after will not have access to this loan program.

Borrowers must meet credit requirements for this loan. Credit approval is based on federally mandated criteria, not a credit score. In order to qualify students must not have an adverse credit history.
The maximum amount is limited by the actual cost of attendance minus the combined amount of all other scholarships, grants, federal, and institutional aid.
There is no aggregate maximum on this loan.
Interest accrues while the student is in school and during grace periods and eligible deferment periods.
Interest rate and origination fee information can be found here.

Federal Student Loan Repayment

For the Federal Direct Unsubsidized and the Graduate PLUS Loan, repayment starts 6 months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time status. Students are required to complete Loan Exit Counseling.

The Department of Education uses servicers to manage federal student loans. Servicers will be assigned once funds start disbursing, and servicers will typically reach out to students to let them know that they will be servicing the loans. Students will contact their servicer to set up payments plans, make payments, and ask questions.

Students can find general information about how to repay federal loans at the Federal Student Aid website.

Students interested in loan forgiviness programs, including Public Service Loan Forgiviness, can find more information here.