Federal loans for US undergraduate and postgraduate students.
St Mary’s University, Twickenham participates in the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Federal Direct Loans are low-interest loans to help undergraduate and graduate students pay for their education.
As a student studying at a foreign institution, you are eligible for a Direct Subsidised and a Direct Unsubsidised loan, as well as a Direct PLUS loan. There are a number of things you must consider if deciding to study at a foreign school that affect the loans and grants you can receive. For more information on these loans, including the maximum amount you can borrow and related interest rates please check the Federal Student Aid website.
The enactment of the OBBBA Bill
The OBBBA Bill was enacted on 4 July 2025 and will change how much funding students can borrow through federal loans. These changes will take effect on 1 July 2026 and apply to students who begin their course after this date. For live updates, please visit the studentaid.gov website. Students already enrolled and receiving federal loans during the 2025-26 academic year may continue borrowing under the previous “Legacy” regulations for up to three years or for the remaining length of their programme, whichever is shorter. Note: Graduate students starting a course after 1 July 2026 will no longer be eligible for Parent PLUS Loans.To remain eligible for this transitional arrangement, students must maintain continuous study. If a student applies for a different type of loan after 1 July 2026, they will be subject to the new loan limits and regulations.
The application process
Please note: St Mary’s cannot begin processing applications for the 2026/27 academic year until March 2026.
You may complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before that date. We will not be able to originate your loan until we have all the necessary elements.
- St Mary's school code: G41437
The loan application checklist provides a summary of the steps involved in applying for federal loans. The application process involves filling out the forms detailed below, every year of your studies:
- Completed FAFSA form (your loan eligibility will be assessed in the first instance by checking if you meet all of the criteria)
- Cost of Attendance
- Master Promissory Note (separate ones for both unsub/sub and Plus)
- Entrance Counselling (if borrowing for the first time)
- Credit Check for Parent Plus Loan or Plus loan if applicable (see eligibility and if you come under legacy)
Before applying for your loan and submitting your documents, please read the information below carefully. If your submission is incomplete, our Federal Aid Office will require a new submission.
Dependent students
- First year undergraduate annual loan limit: $5,500
No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans
- Second year undergraduate annual loan limit: $6,500
No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans
- Third year undergraduate annual loan limit: $7,500
No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans
- Graduate professional students annual loan limit: N/A
All graduate and professional students are considered independent
Independant students
- First year undergraduate annual loan limit: $9,500
No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans
- Second year undergraduate annual loan limit: $10,500
No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans
- Third year undergraduate annual loan limit: $12,500
No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans
- Graduate professional students annual loan limit: $20,500
All graduate and professional students are considered independent
From 1 July 2026, new Parent PLUS Loan borrowers can borrow up to $20,000 per year, with a maximum total of $65,000 per dependent student.
If a borrower wishes to access additional funding beyond these amounts, they may consider a private loan. However, the total combined funding cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
- First year undergraduate annual loan limit: $5,500. No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans. Parent PLUS Loan borrowers can borrow up to $20,000
- Second year undergraduate annual loan limit: $6,500. No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans. Parent PLUS Loan borrowers can borrow up to $20,000
- Third year undergraduate annual loan limit: $7,500. No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans. Parent PLUS Loan borrowers can borrow up to $20,000
- Graduate professional students annual loan limit: N/A. All graduate and professional students are considered independent
Independent students
- First year undergraduate annual loan limit: $9,500. No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans.
- Second year undergraduate annual loan limit: $10,500. No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans
- Third year undergraduate annual loan limit: $12,500. No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidised loans.
- Graduate professional students annual loan limit: $20,500. All graduate and professional students are considered independent. Parent PLUS Loans are not available to non-Legacy students
| Aggregate Limits: |
Subsidized |
Unsubsidized and Subsidized (combined) |
PLUS |
| Undergraduate - Dependent |
23000 |
31000 |
No aggregate max |
| Undergraduate - Independent |
23000 |
57500 |
|
| Postgraduate (includes undergraduate amounts) |
65500 |
138500 |
|
| Aggregate Limits: |
Base level (Subsidized/Unsubsidized) |
Graduate Unsubsidized |
Graduate and Undergraduate combined maximum |
| Undergraduate - Dependent |
31,000 of which no more than 23,000 subsidized |
|
131,000 |
| Undergraduate - Independent |
$57,500 of which no more than 23,000 subsidized |
|
157,500 |
| Postgraduate (excluding undergraduate amounts) |
|
100,000 |
|
Foreign institutions who participate in the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program must adhere to specific regulations on loan eligibility. Unfortunately, we cannot process loans for the following courses or student types, which are ineligible for Title IV funding:
- Courses offered through distance learning
- Non-degree programmes, including two-year FdA programmes, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates, including the PGCE
- Four-year undergraduate courses with a placement year
- Programmes offered at St Mary’s Edinburgh location
- Incoming study abroad programmes. Incoming study abroad students should apply for funding through their home institution. Title IV recipients who want to participate in an outgoing study abroad programme for one semester as part of their St Mary’s degree should contact federalaid@stmarys.ac.uk to ask about their Title IV funding eligibility.
- Mature students without a secondary school completion credential or its equivalent.
To remain eligible for federal aid once you commence study, you must:
- Be enrolled and continue to be enrolled at least half-time. Part-time study is not permitted.
- Be a US Citizen or an Eligible non-citizen
- Possess a valid US Social Security Number
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Not exceed your aggregate loan limits – continuing students will be assessed annually.
All of the information on this page forms part of our consumer information. Please see the information below for further information useful to students receiving Title IV funding.
Student Financial Aid information
Please see other sections of this page for all terms and conditions relating to Title IV US Federal Aid, including the application process, an application checklist, eligibility requirements, loan terms, entrance counselling, exit counselling, how aid is disbursed, your rights and responsibilities, Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and links to loan information published by the US Department of Education.
You will find additional scholarship and funding information on our international scholarships and funding page.
Cost of Attendance
Our tuition fees page has full details of our fee rates for international students, while our budgeting and cost of living information will help you plan for other essential costs like accommodation, food, transportation and academic supplies.
2026/27 Cost of attendance for the Title IV students
| St Mary's University, Twickenham Cost of Attendance |
Undergraduate |
Postgraduate |
| Tuition (up to) |
£18,180 |
£22,400 |
| Housing (on campus) |
£9,813 |
£15,341 |
| Food |
£804 |
£3,240 |
| Course materials/Personal |
£3,987 |
£5,054 |
| Flights x2 |
£1,977 |
£1,977 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) |
£776 |
£776 |
| Student Visa fee |
£524 |
£524 |
| Average loan fees (Legacy) |
£1,400 |
£1,744 |
| Transport |
£1,846 |
£2,136 |
| Total |
£39,007 |
|
£53,192 |
|
| Estimated Exchange Rate ( USD to GBP) |
1.39 |
|
Refund Policy
Refunds are governed by St Mary’s Tuition Fee Refund Policy.
Requirements and Procedures for Official Withdrawal from the University
Applications to withdraw, transfer from or take a leave of absence from St Mary’s are submitted through the Student Portal. The policies governing all of these procedures, as well as the University’s Academic Regulations, are available on our Registry pages.
Student disciplinary procedures and complaints
Our student disciplinary procedures and complaints procedures are available on our website. The Students’ Union can also support students with disciplinary procedures and complaints.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Please see the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for details of SAP requirements for students with Title IV funding. Students must submit their Satisfactory Academic Progress Form in line with published deadlines.
Return of Title IV Funds Policy
The Return of Title IV Funds Policy explains the procedures St Mary’s follows when Title IV students cease their enrolment prior to the end of a payment period.
Accrediting agencies and government bodies
St Mary’s University is recognised as a degree-awarding body and is listed in the Education (Recognised Bodies) (England) Order 2020.
Academic programmes at the institution
For information the programmes of study available, please see our Study at St Mary’s University page. Please note that not all programmes of study are eligible for Title IV funding.
Ineligible programmes
The following programmes are ineligible for Title IV funding at St Mary’s:
- Courses offered through distance learning
- Non-degree programmes, including two-year FdA programmes, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates, including the PGCE
- Four-year undergraduate courses with a placement year
- Programmes offered at St Mary’s Edinburgh location
- Incoming study abroad programmes.
Incoming study abroad students should apply for funding through their home institution. Title IV recipients who want to participate in an outgoing study abroad programme for one semester as part of their St Mary’s degree should contact federalaid@stmarys.ac.uk to ask about their Title IV funding eligibility.
Right to review educational records, data protection and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not apply in the UK. Instead, the UK has a similar piece of legislation called the Data Protection Act (DPA). Please see our Data Protection Policy for details of how St Mary’s complies with the DPA to protect your personal data.
Services and facilities for students with disabilities
St Mary’s Wellbeing Team provides support and advice for students with disabilities.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
We will confirm your attendance online through the National Student Loan Data System as required by US Federal regulations.
Retention rates
Retention rates for all UK universities are published by HESA.
Careers and employability
For information on our diverse community, and to see how to get involved in our EDI efforts, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page.
Textbooks
Please see the Moodle page for each of your modules to see what textbooks will be required. In most cases, readings and textbooks will be available for you to borrow in the Library. You can search the Library’s catalogue using Summon. Availability of resources is governed by our University Resource List Policy.
Copyright infringement and peer to peer file sharing
Please see the Library’s information on copyright, licencing and associated issues.
Fire safety
The University’s health and safety team publishes information on fire safety management.
Attendance monitoring
The University uses an electronic attendance monitoring system. Our Attendance Monitoring Policy sets out required attendance levels and the procedures followed when they are not met.
Drug and alcohol misuse
Please see the University’s Student Disciplinary Procedures for information on offences related to drug and alcohol use. Please be aware that under the US Higher Education Act, students may become ineligible for US Federal Aid upon conviction of any offence involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs while receiving Title IV funding, including US Federal Direct Loans and US Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Please see the FAFSA website for full details.
Once your FAFSA application has been processed you will be emailed a copy of your FSS. Please review this information carefully and ensure that it includes a Student Aid Index (SAI) and the details of any previous loans.
Things to look out for in your FSS:
- Any missing information or comments stating further information is required; you'll need to make corrections and re-submit your application.
- If there is an error on your FSS further information will be required; check the comment codes and make any necessary corrections.
- In some cases we may need to ask you to provide documentary evidence, for example we may ask you for proof of US citizenship.
Loan repayment
Information on repaying your student loans can be found on the Student Aid website.
For US Federal Aid, St Mary’s University deems you ‘graduated’ once you stop attending full-time study. Therefore, you will be registered as a ‘graduated student’ and your loans will enter into repayment when you finish attending full-time classes.
Satisfactory academic progress
You will have to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and remain in at least half-time study throughout the course of your programme to remain eligible for federal loans. The University will check your progress twice a year, before each disbursement, through the completion of a Satisfactory Academic Progress form. Please make sure to check the St Mary's SAP Policy.
Change in student status
If you withdraw, graduate or drop below half-time study you will no longer be eligible for further federal loans at St Mary's University. This will mean that your federal loans will enter into repayment and any remaining disbursements will have to be cancelled (if applicable). You may need to return a portion of your unearned loan.
Exit counselling
If you withdraw, graduate or drop below half-time study you will need to complete exit counselling, which can be found on the Student Loans website.
Origination fees for loans disbursed
- Direct Stafford loan (sub/ unsub): 1.057%
- Direct Parent Plus: 4.228%
- Direct Graduate Plus: 4.228%
September 2026/27 intake
- Disbursement one: 2 October 2026
- Disbursement two: 12 February 2027
- Disbursement three: 4 June 2027
September PhD 2025/26 intake
- Disbursement one: 2 October 2026
- Disbursement two: 10 April 2027
January 2025/26 intake
- Disbursement two: 12 February 2027
- Disbursement three: 4 June 2027
- Disbursement three: 1 October 2027
The disbursement date is not the date that you will have access to your loan. The disbursement date is the day that the loan will be added to your student ledger to cover the costs for tuition and where appropriate accommodation. If there is a cash excess/ refund, this will be paid to you 10 days after the disbursement date.
Please note: You must ensure that you have enough funds to cover your expenses for the first 4-6 weeks of the semester before your loan is paid to you. You must be fully registered and present on campus before your loans can be drawn down. If you late are in arriving and/or completing your registration, your loan will be delayed. Please bear this in mind.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this webpage is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, US Department of Education regulations are subject to change and St Mary’s University cannot be held responsible for any changes that may adversely affect your eligibility for federal loans.
This section also contains important consumer information for US students, that we are required to disclose.