Loans

Student loans are money that is borrowed to help pay for university tuition, books, and living expenses. These funds must be repaid. For many Emory University students, loans are an important way with which to pay for a portion of their educational costs.

Resources

Graduate Federal Direct Loans

Direct Loans are low-interest loans available to degree-seeking students enrolled at least half time. The lender is the US Department of Education, authorized under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. An origination fee will be deducted from each disbursement by the Department of Education. Unsubsidized loans are not based on need, although you must file the FAFSA to be considered. Interest will be charged from the time the loan is disbursed to you until it is paid in full. You can choose to pay the interest while you are in school or allow it to accumulate. However, allowing it to accumulate will increase the total amount you have to repay. Interest is capitalized once at repayment, forbearance, deferment, and consolidation. For more information on Direct Loans visit the Federal Student Aid website

Instructions for Applying for a Federal Direct Graduate Loan

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is available to degree-seeking students enrolled at least half time. The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan has a fixed interest rate set by the US Department of Education every July 1. An origination fee will be deducted from each disbursement by the Department of Education. This loan is not based on need, although you must file the FAFSA to be considered and must first be offered Stafford Loan eligibility. You may borrow up to the full cost of attendance (as defined by the Emory Office of Financial Aid) minus other aid. Interest will be charged from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Repayment begins six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half time, withdraws, or graduates. The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is credit based but the required credit criteria may be less stringent than for private education loans. 

Instructions for Applying for a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan [PDF]

Private Loan Programs

Private educational loans can be an important funding source for students who need more loan funds than the federal programs provide. However, maximum federal loan eligibility should be used before a private loan is considered. Students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program to apply for a private educational loan. The terms of private loans vary significantly and require a credit check and/or debt-to-income ratio check on the borrower and/or co-borrower. A co-borrower may be required, and lower interest rates may be available to students who choose to have a co-borrower.

In an effort to assist students and families in choosing a lender, the Office of Financial Aid has compiled a lender list of private loan providers to Emory University students over the past three years. Please note that you are not required to use any of these lenders—the choice of lender is yours. The Office of Financial Aid will process your loan with any lender you choose. Further, the list of lenders is not in any order of preference. Choose your lender carefully, with the intent that you will remain with that lender throughout your studies at Emory.

The US Congress mandated that private loan lenders collect a self-certification form before disbursing a private educational loan. The Applicant Self-Certification Form contains both the form and the instructions on where to locate the required financial aid information for section 2. The form must be returned to the lender and should not be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.

Additional Loan Options by School

Allied Health Tuition Loan

This institutionally funded, low-interest loan is offered on the basis of demonstrated need as reported on the FAFSA. The current interest rate for the Allied Health tuition loan is 4.22%.

International Business Graduate Loans

Option 1

Private education loans with a creditworthy, US citizen cosigner. You may borrow up to the full cost of your education less any other aid received, provided you and your cosigner meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the lender. There are a number of lenders who offer this type of loan. The interest rate and fees will be determined by the lender. Please view Private Educational Loan Lender List for International MBAs to review specific borrowing options. Emory will certify any loan selected by a Goizueta MBA student and does not place any limit or restriction on a student's choice of lender.

Option 2

Private education loans offered to international graduate students at Goizueta Business School. A US citizen cosigner is not required for this loan. However, an applicant must be an international graduate student attending Goizueta Business School. You can find these lenders as well on the Private Educational Loan Lender List for International MBAs.

Important details to note:

  • The cost of attendance for student loans is set by Emory's central Financial Aid office. This may be different from the cost given by the business school.
  • You may only borrow one academic year at a time. You cannot borrow the full cost of the program on one application/promissory note.
  • Immigration documentation is required by the lender prior to disbursement of loans.
  • Timely repayment of outstanding loan balances will ensure the sustainability of these programs.

Emory University Loans

Emory administers a loan program to assist students in financing their education. Although the Profile/FAFSA are not required to qualify for every Emory loan program, we recommend you apply for need-based aid first to take advantage of lower-interest loans.

Nursing School Loans

Nursing Student Loans are for graduate and undergraduate nursing students who are enrolled at least half time. These loans are offered based on financial need using information provided on the FAFSA and are dependent on the availability of funds. The current interest rate for the Federal Student Nursing Loan is 5%.

Emory University Loans

Emory administers a loan program to assist students in financing their education. Although the Profile/FAFSA are not required to qualify for every Emory loan program, we recommend you apply for need-based aid first to take advantage of lower-interest loans.