Beginning in the Fall 2009 semester, UofL is participating in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. The Direct Loan Program is when eligible students borrow directly from the federal government. Direct Loans include Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Direct Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans. You repay these loans directly to the U.S. Department of Education.

Effective July 1, 2012, there are no longer Direct Subsidized Stafford loans for Graduate/Professional students.

For more information about the specific loans, please review the information listed below.

1. Federal Direct Loan Information

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not based on financial need. However, your award cannot exceed your cost of attendance.
• You are charged interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan while you are in school or other nonpayment period. You can pay the interest during those times, or you can have it added to your principal (capitalized).
• Depending on need, loan limits and year in school, the maximum amount of the Direct Unsubsidized Loan you can receive each year of medical school ranges from $42,722 to $47,167.

General Direct Loan Information

• The maximum aggregate amount of Direct Unsubsidized Loans you can receive each year of medical school is $42,722 for M1, $44,944 for M2, $47,167 for M3 and $42,722 for M4.
• You will be awarded the full Unsubsidized Loan amount unless you are at the aggregate limit of $224,000 or have other aid up to the Cost of Attendance.
• The maximum aggregate amount of Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans combined you can receive as a student, including undergraduate, graduate and professional school, is $224,000.
• Repayment on all Direct Loans begin six months (grace period) after you graduate or drop below half-time status.

2.Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan

• The maximum amount of Grad PLUS Loans you can receive is the cost of attendance minus all other aid received (Direct Unsubsidized, scholarships, etc.).
• You do not have to apply separately on studentaid.gov, UofL will process credit decisions once accepted on ULink.
• The Grad PLUS Loan is awarded only after all Direct Loan eligibility is awarded.
• You are charged interest on Grad PLUS Loans while you are in school.
• Repayment on all Grad PLUS Loans begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. However, a student can request an in-school deferment.

3. Primary Care Loan or Loan for Disadvantaged Students Information

• Parental data is required to be considered for Primary Care Loan (PCL) or Loan for Disadvantage Students (LDS).
• Need based loans.
• Primary Care Loan requires specific primary care residencies to practice.
• 5% simple interest loan that does not accrue interest during school and approved deferment periods.
• Sign PCL or LDS promissory note on-line under the Bursar's office tab.
• Contact Financial Aid at the School of Medicine if you have questions or you are interested in being considered for PCL or LDS loans.

Preparing for Loan Repayment

1. Know your servicer, you can access at studentaid.gov under your dashboard, or call Student Aid at 800-433-3243

2. Make sure your contact information is up to date on studentaid.gov

3. Review and choose a payment plan that works for you, you can apply trough your servicer or on studentaid.gov.

4. Sign up for auto debit, and receive a .25% interest rate deduction (see your servicer for this)

Loan Repayment Plans

Below, are a few of the loan repayment options available to medical students. Click on the links for more information about each one.

Federal Student Aid Payment Plans:

• Standard Repayment Plan
• Graduate Repayment Plan 
• Extended Repayment Plan
• Income Based Repayment (IBR)
• Pay As You Earn Repayment (PAYE)
• SAVE plan
• Income Contingent Repayment Plan (ICRP)

Other Repayment Options:

• Direct Consolidation Loans
• AAMC Loan Repayment Options
• National Health Service Corps - Loan Repayment Program