Federal Student Loan Guide 2025-26

This is a guide to information, resources and applications for Federal Student loans

In order to borrow Federal Direct Student Loans, students must complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA.
 
You can request a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan here.


Eligibility Requirements include:

  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.
  • Have a valid social security number
  • Maintain satisfactory acadmeic progress

For more information on eligibility requirements, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website. 

Please be advised that in order to borrow Federal Direct Student Loans, the following conditions apply:

  • You cannot have an overpayment of any Federal student aid. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website. 

None of your prior student loans can have a Default Status. You can check your loan history at the National Stuent Loan Data System.

Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits
There are limits on the amount in unsubsidized loans that you may be eligible to receive each academic year (annual loan limits) and the total amounts that you may borrow for graduate study (aggregate loan limits).  For more information regarding loan limits, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Federal Direct Student Loans 

1) Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
     Automatically awarded $20,500 if a FAFSA is submitted and have met all requirements.

2) Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

  • Must pass a credit check.
  • All PLUS loan requests for Columbia Journalism School are made HERE.
    • Make your request prior to May 1st to ensure your approval.
    • You may make additional requests throughout your enrollment.
    • Loan amounts can be reduced throughout your enrollment.
    • Loan reduction requests are made here.

Maximum Award

  • Federal Unsubsidized Loan: $20,500 → ($10,250/fall term; $10,250/spring term).
  • Federal Graduate PLUS Loan: Maximum amount is your Cost of Attendance minus any other aid (e.g. J-School Scholarship, Student loans, etc.) received
Disbursement
  • ​​​​​Loan funds will be automatically credited to your University student account.
  • Half in August and the other half in January.
  • In certain circumstances, excess funds will be refunded to you.
  • If you apply for a loan in the middle of the term, please expect 14 business days for disbursement.

* Additional loans will be available for those who will be in programs beyond the spring term.

Required Documents

*PLUS Loan MPN is only required for PLUS Loan borrowers.

Fees

*The 2025-2026 interest rates will be determined by June 2025


Repayment Strategy