US Federal loans
This page provides information on applying for a US federal loan to support you while studying at the University.
Looking down the High Street. Credit: Ruoyi Wang / Graduate Photography Competition
Overview
The following information covers US federal loans for new and continuing students. The loan types, borrowing limits and eligibility criteria are set by the US Department of Education and any changes are beyond the University's control.
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into US law, resulting in significant changes to federal student aid programs. Throughout this page you will see that some sections have been divided as follows:
- OBBBA regulations which apply if you will be starting a new course at Oxford for the 2026-27 academic year, or are a current student who didn't receive a federal loan for your course before 1 July 2026.
- Grandfathered regulations which are likely to apply if you were enrolled in a course at Oxford before 1 July 2026, and received a federal loan for that course before this date. The grandfathered regulations will apply for either a further three academic years, or until the expected end of the course, whichever is less. Note that the expected end of the course is the minimum amount of time needed to complete the course as advertised on the admissions website. Enrolment on the same course must be maintained to qualify, and once grandfathering is broken student's will be subject to the OBBBA regulations.
Important disclaimer: The information contained on this page is provided by the University of Oxford's US loans team to help support students considering applying for US federal loans. Although this information is provided in good faith, it may be subject to change based on updates to the US government regulations.
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet all of the criteria listed to be eligible for US federal loans
How much can I borrow?
The type of loan and the amount you may be able to borrow is dependent on when you enrolled in your course at Oxford, and whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student.
Applying under OBBBA regulations
Process if you will be starting a new course at Oxford for the 2026-27 academic year, or are a current student who didn't receive a federal loan for your course before 1 July 2026
Applying under grandfathered regulations
Process if you were enrolled in a course at Oxford before 1 July 2026, and received a federal loan for that course before this date
Receiving and managing your US federal loan
Payment of federal loans are made in equal termly instalments by bank transfer to your college. The US Department of Education stipulates that loans must be paid in equal instalments. Although it is standard practice to invoice students for all fees at the beginning of the academic year, special dispensation is made for federal loan takers and your college will normally arrange for your fees to be paid in termly instalments that correlate with your US loan payments.
You must be fully enrolled before your funds can be requested from the US. If you have not completed your enrolment in time at the start of term your loan payment will be postponed to the next scheduled adhoc disbursement date. Further information on enrolment can be found on the Guide to registration webpage.
Frequently asked questions
Changes affecting your loan
You must contact us ([email protected]) if any of the below occur or may occur. Contact us immediately and in advance of the change where possible.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
To be eligible for US federal student loans, a student must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP). To assess SAP you will be sent a form for your supervisor to complete confirming you have made satisfactory academic progress for your course. For courses lasting 12 months or less SAP will be evaluated once per term; for those on programmes lasting more than 12 months SAP will be evaluated in Trinity term. Please note that your form must be returned by the deadline given, otherwise it may cause any upcoming disbursements to be postponed until such time as your SAP form has been completed. More information on SAP can be found on our consumer information and policies page.
Repayment and deferment
Repayment of your federal loan is arranged directly through your loan servicer. We recommend you keep in contact with your loan servicer to ensure your loan repayment information is up-to-date. You must notify them of:
- Anything that affects your ability to repay your loan;
- Any changes in your status, including course completion or if you do not enrol for the period covered by your loan; and
- Any changes to your personal details, such as name, address, phone number.
Your student loan must be repaid and you risk going into default if you do not make repayments as required by your loan servicer. Federal Student Aid offers guidance on understanding repayments and default.
| Loan type | How do repayments work? | When do repayments start? |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized | No interest or payments required as long as you are enrolled on an eligible course at least half-time. | Usually six months (known as the 'grace period') after your course finishes or you become less than half-time. |
| Direct Unsubsidized | No payments required as long as you are enrolled on an eligible course at least half-time. Interest accrues whilst you are studying. | Usually six months (known as the 'grace period') after your course finishes or you become less than half-time. |
| Graduate PLUS or Parent PLUS | No payments required as long as the student is enrolled on an eligible course at least half-time. Interest accrues whilst studying. | Repayment period begins on the date of the final disbursement. Unless you receive a deferment or forbearance, the first payment will be due within 60 days of the final disbursement date. |
Information on making an early repayment to your loan servicer can also be found on the Receiving your loan section of this page.
Deferring your US federal loan
Current loan takers
If you are taking US federal loans at Oxford in the current academic year, we will automatically report your enrolment on NSLDS so that repayment of previous US student loans can be deferred.
Non-loan takers
If you are not taking US federal loans in the current academic year, please complete the NSLDS deferment request form if you would like the US loans team to report your enrolment on NSLDS. If you are a new student you will be unable to complete this form until you have been provided with your Single Sign On (SSO) account details by Oxford, and you must be showing as enrolled on the student system before we can add you to NSLDS.
Federal loan servicers are required by federal law to use NSLDS and enrolment information is sent to them on a weekly basis. NSLDS is also accessed by the US Department of Education to obtain student enrolment information. Your NSLDS record will be updated and checked every two months.
If you have previously borrowed a loan through a private lender that does not use NSLDS and would like us to complete a paper deferment form, please email the US loans team with a copy of the required form, ensuring you have first completed any sections to be filled out by the borrower.
Students enrolled on part time courses will usually need to be enrolled at a half time pace or greater to qualify for deferment with most loan servicers. If you are less than half time and are unsure as to whether you are eligible to defer your previous loans, by having your enrolment reported in NSLDS, we would recommend reaching out to your loan servicer for guidance.
