Apply for a US Federal Direct Loan
Eligibility
You should have accepted an unconditional offer for a place on an on-campus degree at the School and be an eligible US citizen to apply for a US Federal Direct Loan.
2012-13 Loan Application Schedule
From May 1st onwards - new applications, MPN's, Plus credit checks and eligibility assessments
From June 20th onwards - loan originations and letters confirming funding for visa purposes
Application Steps
Step 1 - FAFSA
Go to the StudentLoans.gov website and register so that you can use the online tools. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to obtain your Student Aid Report (SAR). Please read the 'Comments' section on the SAR to ensure that your data is complete. The SAR provides the data for your eligibility assessment.
Step 2 - Entrance Counselling
Next you should complete direct loan counselling via StudentLoans.gov, even if you have taken loans out previously. If you are taking a Plus loan please ensure you have completed the Plus Counselling.
Step 3 - Master Promissory Notes and Plus Credit Check
E-sign the Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Master Promissory Note (MPN). This is the contract you sign agreeing to the terms of your loan.
If you are applying for a Direct Plus Loan complete the Plus Request Process and e-sign the Plus MPN.
Step 4 - SOAS Loan Form
Complete the SOAS Loan Form (this can be downloaded at the bottom of the page) to confirm which loans you would like to borrow and for how much. The Loan Form gives us access to your SAR data to enable us to assess your eligibility. You should decide how much you want to borrow based on your fees and expected living costs. Please see the Cost of Attendance for the maximum total loans allowed this year.
Step 5 - E-mail Your Loan Application
Send your SOAS Loan Form to funding@soas.ac.uk so that we can originate your loan. You must have completed the steps above.
Step 6 - Eligibility Assessment and Loan Origination
Once we receive your SOAS Loan Form we will then check and confirm your eligibility for Direct Loans. We will send you an e-mail confirming the details of your loans.
From June 20th onwards, we will originate completed loan applications on the Education Department's Common Origination Disbursement site. You will be able to track your Direct Loans online though your Direct Loan account. Once the loans are approved on COD we will send you a hardcopy notification of student loan for visa purposes.
US Loans Application Form - PDF Version
Print out, complete & sign, scan and then email to funding@soas.ac.uk
US Loans Application Form - Word version
Complete online and email to funding@soas.ac.uk
