Student Loan Information

Student Loan Information

About Student Loans  |  Undergraduate Student Loan Information  |  Graduate / Professional Programs  |  Private (Alternative) Student Loan Information  |  Student Loan-Related Resources

About Student Loans

Loan Eligibility

• Federal Direct Loans are available to students regardless of income reported on the FAFSA.
• The actual loan amounts and types of loans (subsidized, unsubsidized or a combination of both) that you are eligible to receive each year is determined by Pacific.
• The amounts are based on such factors as your cost of attendance, expected family contribution (EFC), other financial aid and grade level in school.

Enrollment

• You must enroll at least half-time to receive financial aid.
• For undergraduates, professional Pharmacy students, teaching credential students, and graduate students in the Speech-Language Pathology and Physical Therapy programs, a minimum of six units per semester is considered half-time and 12 units is full-time. For students in other graduate programs, four units is considered half-time and eight units is full-time.
• We must review your financial aid eligibility whenever there is a change in your enrollment, such as a drop from full-time to part-time status. Aid must also be reviewed if you withdraw or take a leave of absence.

Withdrawal From a Semester or the University

• Students intending to completely withdraw from a semester or from Pacific will have to initiate the process in the Office of the Registrar.
• The withdrawal date used by Financial Aid for return in the Return of Title IV Aid calculation and the effective date used by Student Accounts for tuition refunds are based on the date of your notification to the Office of the Registrar.

Loan Repayment

• Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including but not limited to, income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other student loans are not required to provide.

Loan Obligation

• Whether you complete the program or finish within the regular time for completion.
• Unable to obtain employment upon completion.
• Dissatisfied with or believe you did not receive the education or other services you purchased.

Student Loan Code of Conduct

• Pacific has developed a Code of Conduct in compliance with federal regulations.
• The Financial Aid Office staff members comply with the Code of Conduct.
• Click here for more information.

Undergraduates

Federal Direct Stafford Loan

• The Federal Direct Loan Program allows you to borrow directly from the federal government, through the University, to pay college costs.
• There is a government loan fee of 1.066% removed from the total Stafford loan amount upon disbursement (payment to your student account).
• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 units to be considered for financial aid assistance.
• Students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for a subsidized Stafford Loan; others may qualify for an unsubsidized loan.
• The interest rate on the Federal Direct Stafford Loan is fixed for the life of the loan.
• Loan Basics for Students

Understanding Capitalized Interest

• Capitalized interest is interest that accrues on your initial loan amount while you are still enrolled.
• The chart below demonstrates an example of the difference between paying your loan monthly interest payments vs. deferring interest payments until after you graduate.
• Additional information about the Federal Direct Stafford loan can be found here.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Parent Loan)

• The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is an unsubsidized credit-based loan for the parents of dependent students.
• The interest rate on the Federal Direct PLUS Loan is a fixed rate at 7%.
• There is a government loan fee of 4.25% removed from the total PLUS loan amount upon disbursement (payment to your student account).
• Parent PLUS Information
• Loan Basics for Parents
• Direct PLUS and Adverse Credit
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Understanding the Difference Between Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loans

• Subsidized Loans-  a type of loan in which the interest associated with the loan is paid by the government while the student is enrolled in school (in-school deferment) at least half-time. The student does not have a responsibility to repay interest paid by the government.
• Unsubsidized Loans-  a type of loan in which the student is responsible for the interest that accrues on the loan while in school. Depending on the type of loan the student may have the option to defer payment of accrued interest until after graduation (i.e. not pay until after graduation).

Private (Alternative) Loans

• Lenders offer a variety of private education loans to assist students and families in meeting college costs.
• Before you consider a private educational loan (often called an "alternative" loan), we recommend you determine your eligibility for federal student loans, which generally have better terms; find more information about federal student loans.
• Pacific recommends borrowers compare and research various private educational loan programs carefully before selecting a lender and to borrow as little as possible.
• Just like any other student loan, borrowers should consider a number of factors before applying for a private educational loan:

1. Private educational loans are usually higher interest programs with interest that accrues while the student is in school.
2. Students (or co-borrower) must have a good credit history to obtain private educational loans.
3. Students (or co-borrower) must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
4. Most lenders require that you be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program (dependent on the lender) Pacific will certify your loan up to the cost of attendance less other aid.
5. You will be required to complete a Self Certification Form to provide financial aid information to your lender. The Self Certification Form will be provided to you by your lender.
6. Your lender is required to provide the borrower with three additional Truth-in-lending statements at specific points in the application process. As a result, we are recommending that you apply at least three weeks prior to the date you need the funds and comply quickly to information requests from your lender.

1. Private Loan Options:
   http://www.elmselect.com/link/query?schoolid=307
    

Graduate / Professional Programs

Graduate Students

• All Graduate Students who are interested in applying for loans should complete the FAFSA. 
• Graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans, Grad PLUS loans and Private (Alternative) loans. 
• Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 4 units to be considered for financial aid assistance.
• Important: Students cannot be considered for aid until the FAFSA application is completed.

Direct Grad PLUS Loans and Unsubsidized Loans for Graduate and Professional Students

• Graduate and professional degree students can borrow Unsubsidized Loan and a credit-based Direct Grad PLUS Loan to help cover education expenses.
• The interest rate on the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is 7%.
• There is a government loan fee of 4.264% removed from the total Grad PLUS loan amount upon disbursement (payment to your student account).
• Accept all or partial on insidePacific.
• No separate application is required.
• Loan Basics for Graduate/Professional Students
• Direct PLUS and Adverse Credit
• The terms and conditions applicable to PLUS Loans for parents, also apply to Grad PLUS Loans for graduate and professional students.

Pharmacy

• Financial aid information for Professional Pharmacy (Pharm D.) can be found here.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

• Financial aid information for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies can be found here.

Useful Loan-Related Resources

NSLDS

• The  National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) central database for student aid.
• The website provides you access to the national database that provides detailed information about the loans and Pell Grants you have received historically. It includes Direct, Perkins, and PLUS Loan information.

Estimated Monthly Repayment Charts

• http://www.direct.ed.gov/calc.html 
• www.studentloans.gov
• https://www.ed.gov/edpubs/
• Visit the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), which holds a record of all of your Direct and Perkins Loans.
• Contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have questions concerning your rights and responsibilities or the terms and condition of your student loans.
• For detailed loan information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website.