Graduate Loan Programs

Campus in the fall.

What type of Loans are you looking for?

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans

In 2012 the Federal Government has passed legislation that ended the subsidized Stafford Direct loan for Graduate students.

Most Gonzaga students borrow directly from the Department of Education under the Federal Direct Loan Program. Your Federal Direct Loans can be managed at Federal Student Aid. Eligibility for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not contingent upon financial need; thus, the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues on the loan while in school. To qualify for the loan, the FAFSA must be renewed each year.

Students are eligible to borrow $20,500 through the academic year (September-August). If a student borrows up to the $20,500 limit during the Fall and Spring semesters, they will not be eligible for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan options during the summer term. In this scenario, the only loans available to students would be through a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan or an alternative loan through a bank or credit union.

  • Disbursement: The total amount of the Federal Direct Loan is disbursed in two increments within the academic year for on-campus students: one half at the beginning of the fall term, and one half at the beginning of the spring term. For online student and for some specific on-campus programs, the loan amount will be set to disburse in three disbursements: fall, spring and summer terms. If a student will not be attending during the summer, that disbursement will be canceled.
  • Current Interest Rate: 7.94% fixed (for loans disbursed after July 1, 2025). 
  • Net Fee Per Disbursement: Up to 1.057% of the total amount of a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is assessed in loan fees and is retained by the lending institution.
  • Repayment: Loan repayment begins six months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. There are several repayment plan options available to you.
  • Aggregate Limit: Graduate student lifetime limit for the direct loan program is $138,500.

All students borrowing a Federal Direct Loan program must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) through the Federal Direct Loan program, and complete entrance counseling. These steps are required once during your time at Gonzaga. The MPN can be completed at Federal Student Aid: Master Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling can be completed at Federal Student Aid: Loan Entrance Counseling. You will need your FAFSA PIN to log into the site. 

Students leaving Gonzaga will be required to complete Exit Counseling on the loans they receive while attending Gonzaga. This can be done online at Federal Student Aid: Loan Exit Counseling.

Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan Program

The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program allows graduate students to borrow long-term, low-interest funds to help meet education expenses. Students must show an absence of negative credit history to qualify for this loan. The maximum Federal Direct PLUS Loan amount is calculated by subtracting the total aid awarded to the student from the cost of attendance. To request the Federal Direct PLUS Loan, please visit Federal Student Aid: PLUS Loan Application.

  • Current Interest Rate: Fixed at 8.94% (for loans disbursed after July 1, 2025). 
  • Net Fee Per Disbursement: Up to 4.228% of the total amount of a Federal Direct PLUS Loan is assessed in loan fees and is retained by the lending institution (for loans disbursed prior to October 1, 2025).
  • Repayment: Each Federal Direct PLUS Loan is treated separately and repayment will begin within 60 days after all funds are disbursed each year.

Private (Alternative) Loans

Numerous banks offer private educational loan programs to further assist students with college expenses. All private educational loan programs are based on creditworthiness. These loans may require a credit-worthy cosigner for approval of loans.

To help you with a private lender search, Gonzaga has compiled a comprehensive list of lenders. Each of these lenders has disbursed at least one private loan to Gonzaga University students within the last three academic years. You may select ANY lender you wish (whether it is on the list or not) without penalty. Please contact Gonzaga with any questions you may have about federal or private loan processes.

Your lender may offer a type of private educational loan through their website that does not require school certification. Borrowing this type of private educational loan may have a serious negative impact on your existing financial aid package. Please contact your financial aid counselor before borrowing one of these loans.

Review lenders that have helped Gonzaga students in the last three years.