The University of Kent participates in the William D.Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program.

Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student's education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education (the Department), though the entity you deal with, your loan servicer, can be a private business.

With Direct Loans, you

• Borrow directly from the federal government and have a single contact—your loan servicer—for everything related to repayment, even if you receive Direct Loans at different schools
• Have online access to your Direct Loan account information via your servicer's website.
• Can choose from several repayment plans that are designed to meet the needs of almost any borrower, and you can switch repayment plans if your needs change.

The US Department of Education's software is currently being revised. As a result, the University of Kent cannot process loans for the 2013-14 academic year before 1 July 2013. 

Eligibility for Direct Loans

You will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We will use the information from your FAFSA to assist in determining your eligibility for a Direct Subsidized Loan and/or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

You may complete the FAFSA electronically via the FAFSA on the Web site at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.The School code is G08665.

To complete the FAFSA electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN. To apply for a PIN if you do not already have one, or for customer service regarding a previously assigned PIN, visit the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site at www.PIN.ed.gov

After the Department processes your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Please retain the SAR for your records.

In addition to completing a FAFSA, you will need to have an unconditional offer at the University of Kent on at least a half-time basis and meet other eligibility requirements such as maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and being within the borrowing limits for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Direct Loan MPN Completion

You must complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). 

The MPN is the legal document through which you promise to repay your Direct Loans and any accrued interest and fees to the Department. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loans. You will need to complete new MPNs each academic year that you receive a Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized Loan and Direct PLUS loan at our school.

To complete a Direct Loan MPN electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN. This is the same PIN used to complete the FAFSA.

You may complete MPNs electronically via the StudentLoans.gov Web site at https://studentloans.gov.

You must complete one MPN for Direct Loans and one MPN for Direct PLUS Loans.  Send a copy of your MPNs to foreignloans@kent.ac.uk

Direct Loan Entrance Counselling Completion

You must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling before the University of Kent will authorise Direct Loans.

• You may complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically via the StudentLoans.gov Web site at https://studentloans.gov
• To complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN. This is the same PIN used to complete the FAFSA.

• Work through the Entrance Counselling at www.studentloans.gov for Direct Loans (and Direct PLUS Loans).  Either take a screen shot to send by email or attach the completion certificate as a pdf file.

• You will need to complete Entrance Counselling for each type of loan you borrow (e.g. Direct Loan and Direct PLUS Loan)
• Parents are NOT required to complete Entrance Counselling for a Parent PLUS Loan.

Consolidation

If you have multiple federal education loans, you can consolidate them into a single Direct Consolidation Loan. This may simplify repayment if you are currently making separate loan payments to different loan holders, as you'll only have one monthly payment to make. There may be tradeoffs, however, so you'll want to learn about the advantages and possible disadvantages of consolidation before you consolidate. To learn more, visit the Direct Consolidation Loan website.

Cost of attendance

The Cost of Attendance for the 2013-14 academic year has not yet been calculated. However, to give you an idea of how much you can apply to borrow, the usual Cost of Attendance for the courses starting in September 2012 for the 2012-13 academic year at the University of Kent is set out below:

• Canterbury and Medway campuses:
  • Full-time undergraduate students between $38,823 and $42,401 depending on the tuition fees.
  • Full-time postgraduate students between $43,089 and $46,667 depending on the tuition fees.
• Brussels campus:
  • Full-time postgraduate students attending a taught course $42,770.
  • Full-time postgraduate students attending a research course $32,890.

Please email foreignloans@kent.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Information

For additional information about Direct Loans:

Visit http://www.direct.ed.gov/student.html

Or contact us at The Foreign Loans Unit, Enrolment Management Services, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ, United Kingdom

The University of Kent participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. .

The US Department of Education's software is currently being revised. As a result, the University of Kent cannot process loans for the 2013-14 academic year before 1 July 2013. 

Eligibility for Direct Loans

If you are a graduate/professional student, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).   If you are a parent, you and your dependent student should complete the FAFSA.  We will use the information from your FAFSA to assist in determining your eligibility for a Direct PLUS Loan.

• You may complete the FAFSA electronically via the FAFSA on the Web site at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• To complete the FAFSA electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN.  To apply for a PIN if you do not already have one, or for customer service regarding a previously assigned PIN, visit the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site at www.PIN.ed.gov.The School Code is G08665.
• After the Department processes your FAFSA, you or your dependent student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).  Please retain the SAR for your records.

In addition to completing a FAFSA, you or your dependent student will need to be accepted in a degree‑granting program at our school on at least a half-time basis and meet other eligibility requirements such as maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).  You may borrow up to the cost of attendance for our school minus any other financial aid received by you or your dependent student.

Direct PLUS Loan Request and Credit Check Completion

To qualify for a Direct PLUS Loan, you must not have an adverse credit history, as defined in the Department’s regulations.  If you have an adverse credit history, you may still be eligible for the loan 1) by obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history and agrees to repay the loan if you do not or 2) by documenting extenuating circumstances that meet the Department’s requirements.

The Department conducts a credit check once you provide your consent.  The Federal Direct PLUS Request for Supplemental Information (Direct PLUS Request) provides us with your authorization to conduct the credit check and other necessary information, in one streamlined, up‑front process.

• You may complete a Direct PLUS Request electronically via the StudentLoans.gov Web site at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
• To complete a Direct PLUS Request electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN.  This is the same PIN used to complete the FAFSA.
• After you complete your Direct PLUS Request, the Department will conduct the credit check and notify of the results. Please also take a screen shot of your approval to email to us when required.

If you completed your PLUS loan credit check before April 2013, you will have to do it again just before sending your complete loan application documents to the University of Kent.

Note: If your credit check results in an adverse credit history determination, you will receive information from the Department about the endorser and extenuating circumstance options.  If you are a parent and neither of these is a viable option, your dependent student may be eligible to receive additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds.  Contact us for further information about this option.

Direct Loan MPN Completion

You must complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). 

The MPN is the legal document through which you promise to repay your Direct Loans and any accrued interest and fees to the Department.  It also explains the terms and conditions of your loans.  You will need to complete a new Direct Loan MPN each academic year that you receive a Direct PLUS Loan at our school.

• You may complete a Direct Loan MPN electronically via the StudentLoans.gov Web site at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action.
• To complete a Direct Loan MPN electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN.  This is the same PIN used to complete the FAFSA.
• After you complete your MPN, you will be able to print and retain it for your records.  Please also save this as a pdf file to email to us when required.

Note: You also have the option to complete a paper Direct Loan MPN.  To do so, call the Department’s Applicant Services staff at 800/557-7394 and then return the completed paper MPN to the Department at the address included in the instructions that will be provided to you.  We will be notified of your completion.

Direct Loan Entrance Counseling Completion

You must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling before the University of Kent will authorise Direct Loans.

• You may complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically via the StudentLoans.gov Web site at https://studentloans.gov
• To complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN. This is the same PIN used to complete the FAFSA.

• Work through the Entrance Counselling at www.studentloans.gov for Direct Loans (and Direct PLUS Loans).  Either take a screen shot to send with an email or attach the completion certificate as a pdf file.

• You will need to complete Entrance Counselling for each type of loan you borrow (e.g. Direct Loan and Direct PLUS Loan)
• Parents are NOT required to complete Entrance Counselling for a Parent PLUS Loan.

Consolidating FFEL Program Loans into the Direct Loan Program

If you already have FFEL Program loans and will now be receiving Direct Loans, consolidating your FFEL and Direct Loan program loans together into a Direct Consolidation loan may make loan repayment easier.  If you consolidate, you will have just a single monthly payment.  Consolidating your FFEL Program loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan may also allow you to take advantage of certain benefits that are offered only in the Direct Loan Program, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the Income Contingent Repayment Plan.

To learn more about when you may consolidate, the pros and cons of doing so, and the application process, visit www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov or call 800/557-7392 (TDD/TTY: 800/557-7395).

Additional Information

For additional information about Direct Loans:

Visit http://www.direct.ed.gov/student.html

Or contact us at The Foreign Loans Unit, Enrolment Management Services, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ, United Kingdom.

The US Department of Education's software is currently being revised. As a result, the University of Kent cannot process loans for the 2013-14 academic year before 1 July 2013. 

If you completed your PLUS loan credit check before April 2013, you will have to do it again just before sending your complete loan application documents to the University of Kent.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2012-13. You will then receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Please retain this for your records, do not send it to us.
2. Email foreignloans@kent.ac.uk to inform us that you wish to apply for a loan. We will then send you details of your Cost of Attendance and further instructions; The University of Kent can authorise students to borrow up to the total Cost of Attendance.

 

For further information please email the Foreign Loans Unit

Veterans Benefits Administration

US veterans or their dependants who are eligible for veterans educational benefits should contact the Foreign Loans Unit at foreignloans@kent.ac.uk as soon as possible if they wish to use funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Programme approval may be required,which can take several months.

Veterans can contact their local Veterans Administration (VA) or the Veterans Benefits Administration in Washington DC for more information on educational assistance
http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/.

Other useful links:

GI Bill Website

Buffalo VA Regional Office (US Dept of VA)