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Loans and Financing Options

The FSA ID is the username and password you will use on federal student aid websites.  

The Federal Direct Loan Program offers the following types of federal student loans:

  • Federal Direct Subsidized (Stafford) Loan
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized (Stafford) Loan

Check out these videos from the Department of Education on Responsible Borrowing and Repayment

Federal Direct Subsidized (Stafford) Loan

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan through the Department of Education is available to help meet your financial need.  The 2023-24 interest rate for the subsidized direct loan is fixed at 5.50 percent with an origination fee of 1.057 percent until 10/1/24.  The federal government pays interest on the loan until you begin repayment.

Learn more, including instructions on how to complete your loan application.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized (Stafford) Loan

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on financial need.  The 2023-24 interest rate for the unsubsidized direct loan is fixed at 5.50 percent with an origination fee of 1.057 percent until 10/1/24.  You are charged interest on this loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.  If the interest is allowed to accumulate, the interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan and will increase the total amount to be repaid.

If your financial-aid package includes either the subsidized or unsubsidized (Stafford) Direct Loan and you wish to take advantage of this student loan, you are required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling before the loan funds can be disbursed. Loan counseling is completed online at studentaid.gov; the counseling session provides you with information that will help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a loan borrower, as well as information to assist you with managing your loans.

Learn more, including instructions on how to complete your loan application.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow a federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to help pay for educational expenses as long as their student is enrolled at least half-time in a degree program. The yearly borrowing limit for a Parent PLUS Loan is equal to your student's cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal and travel) minus other financial aid your student receives. You may want to review your student's award notice or Statement of Account prior to applying for a Parent PLUS loan to determine the loan amount you will need to borrow.  Please note that the student must first submit a FAFSA for you to be eligible for a PLUS loan, even if your student receives no federal aid.  The 2023-24 interest rate is fixed at 8.05 percent and the origination fee will remain at 4.228 percent until 10/1/24.  Interest begins to accrue after the disbursement of the loan for each semester. PLUS loan repayment begins approximately 30-60 days after the second disbursement.  Learn more, including instructions on how to complete your application.

LOAN FEE CALCULATOR

To determine the amount of money that you will either receive from your federal loan or the amount you need to request before the origination fee is deducted, please click here.

The Abe and Cora Hurwitz Student Loan Program

The Abe and Cora Hurwitz Student Loan was established by the estate of Cora Rabinowitz Hurwitz in honor of her commitment to education and the memory of her husband Abe, Dickinson Class of 1934. This low-interest loan is only offered to students demonstrating financial need. Effective July 1, 2020, all new loans issued under the Abe and Cora Hurwitz Program will be at a fixed interest rate of 2.5% APR, with a review of the APR annually. The interest does not accrue on this loan until graduation occurs or matriculation ends at Dickinson College. After a 6 (six) month grace period, the monthly payments will begin [including both principle and interest].  Visit here for more information on repayment.

Tuition Payment Plan

More and more families are making college costs affordable by arranging for monthly payments. Dickinson College offers an interest-free monthly payment plan administered through Nelnet Campus Commerce. Click here to sign up or to find more information provided by our Student Accounts Office.  

Their payment plan allows you to spread out your fall semester balance over five months (June to October) and spread out your spring semester balance over five months (November to March) for a small fee of $40.00 per semester enrollment.  

For fall enrollments families may contact Nelnet Campus Commerce as early as May to set up a 5 month payment plan which runs from June 1 through October 1.  The fall enrollment deadline is August 1st

For spring enrollments families may contact Nelnet Campus Commerce as early as October to set up a 5 month payment plan which runs from November 1 through March 1.  The spring enrollment deadline is January 1st.

Private Educational Loans

Families may wish to consider a private, credit-based educational loan to help fund remaining costs. Submission of a FAFSA is not required to apply for a private loan, but the student usually must obtain a credit-worthy U.S. co-signer for the loan to be approved. Dickinson recommends that families first consider other options, including the federal Direct student and Parent PLUS loans listed above, before taking out a private loan. Learn more about private educational loans.  

ELMSelect

To find and compare a list of lenders that Dickinson students have used, visit our ELMSelect page.  

Financing for Families

At Dickinson, we understand each family's financial situation is unique.  We encourage families to consider their choices as they create a financial plan and invest in their child's education.  There are a variety of ways to borrow funds for educational expenses. Here is a chart to help you explore some financing options.

Loan Repayment Information

The Office of Financial Aid at Dickinson College has created this helpful guide for our alumni and current students. In it, you will find information and links that cover everything from what to do while you are enrolled through the end of repayment.