Construction Update

The front entrance with parking at the UMKC Administrative Center is closed for construction. Please use the entrances on the east, south and north ends of building. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will remain open for calls and email. UMKC Central will be relocating to its new office in Atterbury Student Success Center from July 27 to August 14. Walk-in services may be limited or not available during that time.

Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

Federal Direct Loans are available to students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and who have been admitted to UMKC in a degree-seeking program.

Direct Loans

Subsidized Loans

  • Eligibility
    • Undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need
  • Terms
    • Interest is not charged while student is in school at least half-time and during the six months after attendance falls below half-time
    • Repayment of the principal balance begins six months after the student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment
  • How to apply

Unsubsidized Direct Loans

  • Eligibility
    • Undergraduate, graduate and professional students
    • Do not require demonstrated financial need
  • Terms
    • Interest is charged while a student is in school, but does not need to be repaid while the student is enrolled at least half-time. 
    • Repayment of the principal and accumulated interest begins six months after the student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment.
  • How to apply

Next Steps to Receive Your Loan

Entrance Counseling

All Direct Loan borrowers and dependent students of Parent Plus Loan borrowers are required to complete entrance counseling. Complete entrance counseling.

Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Direct Loan, Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS borrowers are required to sign an MPN before any loan funds can be disbursed to their UMKC account. Sign MPN.

Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement (ASLA)

Borrowers of Direct Loans are required to view how much they currently owe in federal student loans and to acknowledge they have seen the amount before we can process loan funds. This annual requirement applies to all Direct Loan borrowers, even those who accepted a Direct Loan before this requirement. Know what you owe.

Direct Loan Borrowing Limits

  • Freshman (0-29 credit hours)
    • Subsidized limit: 3,500
    • Unsubsidized limit: 2,000 (+4,000*)
    • Total: 5,500 (9,500*)
  • Sophomore (30-59 credit hours)
    • Subsidized limit: 4,500
    • Unsubsidized limit: 2,000 (+4,000*)
    • Total: 6,500 (10,500*)
  • Junior/Senior (60+ credit hours)
    • Subsidized limit: 5,500
    • Unsubsidized limit: 2,000 (+4,000*)
    • Total: 7,500 (12,500*)
  • Aggregate limit: $31,000 ($23,000 may be subsidized)

 *Amount made available to student if a parent is denied a Parent PLUS Loan (the same amount an independent student would be eligible to receive).

  • Freshman (0-29 credit hours)
    • Subsidized limit: 3,500
    • Unsubsidized limit: 6,000
    • Total: 9,500
  • Sophomore (30-59 credit hours)
    • Subsidized limit: 4,500
    • Unsubsidized limit: 6,000
    • Total: 10,500
  • Junior/Senior (60+ credit hours)
    • Subsidized limit: 5,500
    • Unsubsidized limit: 7,000
    • Total: 12,500
  • Aggregate limit: $57,500 ($23,000 may be subsidized)
  • Graduate/professional
    • Subsidized limit: n/a
    • Unsubsidized limit: 20,500
    • Total: 20,500
  • Aggregate limit: $138,500 ($65,500 may be subsidized)
    • The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received as an undergraduate
  • Graduate/Professional — Pharm.D. 9-month program
    • Subsidized limit: n/a
    • Unsubsidized limit: 20,500 + 12,500 (additional)
    • Total: 33,000
  • Graduate/Professional — Pharm.D. 12-month program
    • Subsidized limit: n/a
    • Unsubsidized limit: 20,500 + 16,667 (additional)
    • Total: 37,167
  • Graduate/Professional — Health Professions 9-month program
    • Subsidized limit: n/a
    • Unsubsidized limit: 20,500 + 20,000 (additional)
    • Total: 40,500
  • Graduate/Professional — Health Professions 12-month program
    • Subsidized limit: n/a
    • Unsubsidized limit: 20,500 + 26,667 (additional)
    • Total: 47,167
  • Aggregate limit: $224,000 ($65,500 may be subsidized)

If a student receives the additional Direct Loan amounts on the basis of study in a health profession program but then leaves that program and enters a program in a different non-health professions field, the student is no longer eligible for the increased Direct Loan limits. However, the additional loan amounts received on the basis of health professions study are not counted toward the normal aggregate loan limit for that student.

Important Notes About Direct Loans

Interest Rates

Federal Direct Loan interest rates vary depending on the loan type and (for most types of federal student loans) the first disbursement date of the loan. Direct Loans interest accrues (accumulates) daily and depending on whether your loans are subsidized or unsubsidized, you may or may not be responsible for paying the interest that accrues while in school. Learn More About Interest Rates.

Origination Fees

Federal Direct Loan awards have origination fees. Because of these fees, the actual Direct Loan amounts applied to your UMKC account will be lower than those listed on your award notification page. Loan origination fees are subject to change based on the loan’s disbursement date. Learn More About Origination Fees

Repayment Options

Federal Direct loans have several different payment options to help you prioritize what works best for you.  All Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized have a six month grace period before payments are due. Learn More About Loan Repayment