There are two types of Federal Direct Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized.
Federal Subsidized Direct Loan — the government pays the interest on the need-based Federal Subsidized Direct Loan while the student is in school and during the post-graduation six-month grace period. For Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, no payments are required while a student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis.
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan — also available to most students is the non-need based Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan. Unlike the Federal Subsidized Direct Loan, the student is responsible for the interest on the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan, which begins to accrue at the time of disbursement. The interest may be deferred until repayment. For Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, no payments are required while a student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis.
New borrowers please note: it is a federal requirement that all new borrowers must complete a Federal Entrance Interview/Counseling before all loans are fully dispersed.
For Federal Direct Loan interest rates, please click here. This interest rate is tied to the 10-year Treasury Note, but is considered "variable-fixed," meaning that rates change each year based on the market, but once a loan is given an interest rate, it is locked in for the life of the loan. This change does not affect any prior loans made to borrowers; the terms and interest rates of those loans remain the same.
To apply for a Federal Direct Loan, please complete the Direct Lending Master Promissory Note (MPN):
- Go to http://studentloans.gov
- Sign in using your FSA ID and password, then click Complete Master Promissory Note
- Follow the steps given and select Thomas Jefferson University when college name is requested
To complete the MPN, you must have the following information available:
- Your FSA ID (used to file your FAFSA online). If you do not have a FSA ID, please apply for one here.
- Two references, living at different addresses (one reference can be a parent)
- Driver's license number