Financial Aid & Scholarship Department
Division of Student Affairs
Title IV Federal School Code: 001153

Federal Stafford Loans

Federal Stafford Loans are low fixed rate loans and include the subsidized and unsubsidized loan programs described below:

SUBSIDIZED

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans are low interest rate loans available to students determined eligible for "need-based" financial aid.

Interest is paid by the Federal Government (subsidized) while you are enrolled at least half-time AND during your six-month grace period after leaving school. Repayment begins six months after you graduate, drop below half-time status, or withdraw from school.

Once you go into repayment, there is a $50 per month minimum payment depending on the total amount of loans accumulated. Important - All Federal Stafford loans must be paid back within 10 years regardless of the total amount borrowed.

UNSUBSIDIZED

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are low interest rate loans available to all students regardless of income.

Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate, fall below half-time, or withdraw.

Interest is NOT paid by the Federal Government on unsubsidized loans while you are in school. Therefore, you are responsible for any interest that accrues on the loan while you are in school and during the 6 month grace period.

Interest on an Unsubsidized loan begins accruing starting the day the first loan is disbursed. You may choose to make interest only payments while in school or you can choose to allow the interest to capitalize (be added to the principal) and begin repaying principal and interest 6 months after you graduate, fall below half-time, or withdraw.

Once you go into repayment, there is a $50 per month minimum payment depending on the total amount of loans accumulated. Important - All Federal Stafford loans must be paid back within 10 years regardless of the total amount borrowed.

TAKING OUT AN OFFERED LOAN

If you want to take out the Stafford Loan offered in your award, activate the loan on the myNorthridge Portal. Loan Entrance Counseling is required for all first-time CSUN borrowers and those who have not attended a session in the last 5 years or the student loans will be placed on hold. You must also have a valid Master Promissory Note on file with the Department of Education prior to your loan being disbursed to your Student Account.

CSUN STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY CSUN'S FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP DEPARTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING:

  1. ANY GRANT(S) OR LOAN(S) THEY ARE RECEIVING AT ANOTHER SCHOOL
  2. ANY CSUN STIPEND, CSUN FEE WAIVER, OR SCHOLARSHIP THEY ARE RECEIVING FOR ATTENDING CSUN

FAILURE TO NOTIFY US COULD RESULT IN A CANCELLATION OR REDUCTION OF YOUR FINANCIAL AID AND/OR COST OF ATTENDANCE.

Basic Requirements

  1. Must apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  2. Must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  3. Must be enrolled (or plan to be enrolled) in at least half-time units (6 units or if in Master program 4 units).
  4. Cannot be in Default on a student loan or owe a repayment on any grant funds.
  5. You must be achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress as established by the CSUN Financial Aid & Scholarship Department.
  6. Must submit all documents requested by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department.

Borrower’s Please Note: If you fail to enroll or are enrolled for less than half-time units at any time, you are required by Federal Law to complete Loan Exit Counseling.

Due to Federal legislative changes, Graduate Masters & Doctoral students will only be offered Unsubsidized loans beginning in the 2012-2013 Academic Year. As more information becomes available, we will post it to our website.

ANNUAL FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN LIMITS

DEPENDENT STUDENTS BASE SUBSIDIZED/UNSUBSIDIZED ADDITIONAL UNSUBSIDIZED ELIGIBILITY
0-29 units             Freshman $3500 $2000
30-59 units           Sophomore $4500 $2000
60-180 units         Junior & Senior $5500 $2000
Second Bachelors $5500 $2000
Credential Program $5500 $0 Per Federal Regulation
INDEPENDENT STUDENTS BASE SUBSIDIZED/UNSUBSIDIZED ADDITIONAL UNSUBSIDIZED ELIGIBILITY
0-29 units             Freshman $3500 $6000
30-59 units           Sophomore $4500 $6000
60-180 units         Junior & Senior $5500 $7000
Second Bachelors $5500 $7000
Credential Program $5500 $7000
Post Baccalaureate Unclassified - Master's $5500 $7000
Masters Program $8500 $12,000
Doctoral Program $8500 $12,000

Please note: The base loan amount may be a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loan but will NOT be more than the established grade level and/or the cost of education. Graduating seniors attending only one term may have their loans prorated, by CSUN's Financial Aid & Scholarship Department, based on Federal Regulations.

AGGREGATE FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN LIMITS

DEPENDENCY STATUS SUBSIDIZED MAXIMUM SUBSIDIZED & UNSUBSIDIZED
Dependent $23,000 $31,000
Independent $23,000 $57,500
Independent: Masters & Doctoral Students ONLY† $65,500 $138,500

†The aggregate limit for Masters & Doctoral Students includes the amount borrowed as an Undergraduate and/or Credential Student.

OTHER LOAN RELATED SITES

To get an estimate of the amount of educational debt that you can reasonably afford given the expected starting salary for your major, visit the Student Loan Advisor.

Adobe Acrobat is needed to view this document. Interest Rates

The Loan Comparison Calculator computes an estimate of the size of your monthly loan payments for three loans at the same time.

The Interest Capitalization Calculator computes an estimate of the accrued interest and the new loan balance at the end of the deferment period. It also gives an impact of the capitalization on the total amount paid over the lifetime of the loan.

For an estimate of what your monthly loan payment might be, go to the Loan Payment Calculator.

The Loan Discounts Calculator computes an estimate of the savings you will get from participating in discount programs.

The Budget Calculator is used to calculate your costs and expenses to come up with a realistic budget for your financial well being.

If you have forgotten from whom you borrowed, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) can provide you detailed loan and lender contact information. This service is free to borrowers.

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