Direct loans are awarded based on need, as shown by your completed FAFSA. Students must complete their FAFSA in order to be eligible for need-based financial aid.

 

Subsidized loans are only for undergraduate students and are based on financial need. The  amount of your loan is determined by your school, and there is a grace period for repayment. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on your loan until your grace period ends. 

Unsubsidized loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. The government does not pay interest on unsubsidized loans. 

Learn more on the Federal Student Aid site. 

We encourage students to complete the FAFSA by March 15, if possible.

Many students and families have encountered technical challenges while trying to complete the FAFSA this year. If this is the case for you, continue to utilize the FAFSA support resources until your issue is resolved. UArts will ensure that all admitted students who file the FAFSA are eligible for the same institutional funding to support your costs.

Learn more

Federal Direct Loans

Student Loans

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program provides subsidized and unsubsidized loans to eligible students to assist with educational costs. You are awarded these loans when you file a FAFSA, and the student is the borrower. Repayment typically begins six months after graduation.

These loan funds are provided by the federal government. 

Learn more on studentaid.gov.

If you have a Federal Direct loan and graduate or leave the university, you must complete Loan Exit Counseling, as required by the Department of Education.

Learn more about Loan Exit Counseling on studentaid.gov.

Direct Loan Requirements for Students

Students receiving direct loans are required to electronically sign a Master Promissory Note, which is the promise to repay the loan.

You must also complete Entrance Counseling—which covers the student’s rights and responsibilities, important information on the loan terms, and repayment—to receive the funds.

The Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling are done the first year the student borrows and might need to be completed again if the student takes a break from their studies.

Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov

Entrance Counseling on studentaid.gov

Rejecting Loans

To reject your loans, log in to the UArts portal and visit the Self Service Financial Aid page. You can reject your loans under the My Awards tab. If you need assistance reviewing loan rates or have questions, contact Student Financial Services at finaid@uarts.edu.

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Parent/Guardian Loans

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college. Undergraduate students cannot borrow a PLUS loan, only parents are eligible. The student must file a FAFSA, and their parent or guardian needs to complete a PLUS loan application. If approved, the parent borrower must complete a Master Promissory Note and may need to complete loan counseling, if it is required by the Department of Education.

Learn more about PLUS Loans at studentaid.gov.

PLUS Loan Calculator

The PLUS loan calculator helps parents determine the amount they will need to borrow via the Parent PLUS loan and calculates the origination fee, which is subtracted from the borrowed amount before funds are disbursed.

To use the calculator, enter the loan amount you need below. The origination fee will be automatically calculated based on the current rate.

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To calculate the amount to borrow, add the loan amount you need to the origination fee.

If a parent of a dependent student applies for a PLUS loan and is denied, the student may be eligible for additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds.

Learn more about the PLUS loan program, interest rates, and how to apply.

Perkins Loans: not active 

The Federal Perkins Loan Program was a university-based loan program for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Note: The Perkins Loan program ended Sept. 30, 2017.

If you have an existing Perkins Loan in repayment with UArts, contact Student Financial Services at finaid@uarts.edu for assistance and information about repayment.

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Private Loans

Private education loans are privately funded loans which may be used to supplement students’ federal and university-based aid. When combined with all other forms of aid, private loans may not exceed the university’s cost of attendance. Approval for these loans is credit-based.

Learn more about private loans.

Student Loan Debt Relief

As part of the presidential administration’s one-time student loan debt relief plan, you can apply for relief of up to $20,000.

Apply for student loan debt relief.

Filling out the application is easy and takes about five minutes. You don’t need to log in or provide any documents. The application is available in English and Spanish and works on both desktop and mobile.

Learn more about student loan debt relief.

Beware of Scams

You might be contacted by a company saying they will help you get loan discharge, forgiveness, cancellation, or debt relief for a fee. You never have to pay for help with your federal student aid. Ensure that you work only with the U.S. Department of Education and its loan servicers, and never reveal your personal information or account password to anyone.

U.S. Department of Education emails to borrowers come from

  • noreply@studentaid.gov, 

  • noreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov, or 

  • ed.gov@public.govdelivery.com. 

You can report scam attempts to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-382-4357 or visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Need help? Contact us.

800-616-ARTS ext. 6170 or 215-717-6170
finaid@uarts.edu

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awards that are granted as part of the admission review process.

Learn more

Grants

Grants are considered gift aid and do not need to be repaid.

Learn more

Work Study

Work study is a work-to-earn program that is paid biweekly at an hourly rate.

Learn more

Other Ways to Pay for College

Explore external scholarships, 529 plans, tax benefits, and more.

Learn more