United States Department of Education - Family Federal Education Loan Program (FFELP)

What this loan gives you

This is a US federal student loan, not a grant. You are borrowing money to study at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) in England, and you will repay it later with interest. AUB participates in the US Department of Education’s ‘Direct Loans’ programme. Eligible American students can apply for Stafford loans (in the student’s name) and PLUS loans (in a parent’s name). The amount of the loan is based on AUB’s annual study costs. These include direct costs such as tuition fees, books and materials, as well as indirect costs such as accommodation, travel, your UK visa and the international health surcharge. The funds are paid out in equal instalments at the start of each semester, approximately one week after lectures begin.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security number.
• Where you study: You are studying at AUB in the UK on a bachelor’s (BA), master’s or doctoral programme. Distance-learning programmes, diploma and certificate courses are not permitted, nor are programmes that include a period of study in the USA.
• Enrolment: You are enrolled or admitted to the AUB and are studying on at least a part-time basis.
• Residence: You will be living in the UK for the duration of your studies.
• School: You have a school-leaving certificate.
• Academic progress: You meet the AUB’s guidelines on satisfactory academic progress, i.e. you have passed a sufficient number of examinations each year.
• Loan record: You are not in arrears with a previous student loan, you have no repayment obligation in respect of an adjusted federal grant, and you are complying with the upper limits for federal loans.
• Field of study: Each module of a recognised AUB degree programme.

How to apply

Each year, you should submit the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) online and enter AUB’s institution code: G35894. AUB will then send you a document detailing the costs of study, along with a financial aid offer, which you must sign and return. Anyone taking out a Stafford loan for the first time must attend an induction session and sign a Master Promissory Note (your repayment undertaking) every year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a prize that you win by competing against others. It is a loan available to any US student who meets the federal eligibility criteria and is offered a place on an eligible course at AUB. If you meet the criteria, the funding is available to you, but bear in mind that this is borrowed money which you will have to repay with interest. You should also budget for upfront costs, as you will need to pay the tuition fee deposit, visa fees, health insurance surcharge and travel expenses out of your own pocket before the first instalment arrives.