Government Loans for United States (US) Citizens

Types of Loans

Note: US Pell Grants are not available to students attending foreign schools.

Eligibility

• US citizens or permanent residents who are registered full-time (nine or more credits per term) in a degree-granting program are eligible, excluding the following: 
  • Students registered in medicine, dentistry and nursing programs are not eligible.
  • Students registered in Open Studies, certificate, diploma or continuing education courses are not eligible.
  • Students who have been admitted to the University of Alberta under a non-matriculated (mature) student stream are not eligible.
  • Students taking courses through St. Joseph’s College, St. Stephen’s College or online courses are not eligible.
• Other situations may be deemed ineligible by the US Department of Education.
• Students who wish to study abroad must study at a US loan eligible institution outside of the US.

Note: Canadian/US dual citizens should consult with our loan experts before applying for loans.

Changes to U.S. student loans

Please note that starting for the Fall 2026 term, there are changes to how U.S. student loans will be administered. The complete explanation of updates and changes can be found in this announcement from Federal Student Aid, however some of the key highlights include:

• The removal of Direct PLUS Loans for graduate borrowers.
• A total amount limit (all subsidized and unsubsidized loans) of $100,000 USD for graduate students.
• An annual limit of $20,000 USD in Parent PLUS funding (per student).
• A total amount limit of $65,000 USD of Parent PLUS funding on behalf of each eligible student.
• A lifetime maximum loan limit of $257,500 USD for all student borrowers (including subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans and PLUS loans regardless of any loans that have been paid back or discharged). 

There are exceptions to the changes listed above if you are a continuing borrower with the University of Alberta in the same program both before and after July 1, 2026. The full details of this exception are included in the linked announcement from Federal Student Aid. If there are any questions about the impact(s) of this update, please connect with us at usloans@ualberta.ca.

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Loan Amounts and Limits

For all students (undergraduate and graduate/professional), the US Direct Loan Program has annual, as well as, lifetime loan limits that vary based on:

• Grade level
• Status (dependent or independent)
• Loan type: need-based (subsidized) or non-need based (unsubsidized and PLUS)
• Cost of attendance (student cannot borrow more than this amount)

Annual Limits

Graduate/Professional

A graduate/professional student can borrow up to the cost of attendance or up to the specified loan limit (whichever comes first). The annual unsubsidized Direct Loan limit is $20,500 USD.

Undergraduate Dependent Student

An undergraduate's dependent status is determined by information on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The student can borrow up to the cost of attendance or up to the specified loan limit (whichever comes first).

The loan is divided into two amounts:

• Base amount: Subsidized and/or unsubsidized (determined by the loan calculation: cost of attendance minus expected family contribution and financial aid received)
• Unsubsidized amount: A standard amount of $2,000 USD is available to all dependent undergraduate students. If the parent of a dependent undergraduate is denied a Parent PLUS Loan, the student is eligible for an additional unsubsidized loan amount that increases the annual loan limit.

Undergraduate Independent Student

An undergraduate's independent status is determined by information on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The student can borrow up to the cost of attendance or up to the specified loan limit (whichever comes first).

The loan is divided into two amounts:

• Base amount: Subsidized and/or unsubsidized (determined by the loan calculation: cost of attendance minus expected family contribution and financial aid received)
• Unsubsidized amount: Based on year of study (see chart below)

How to Apply

The application process and documentation required varies according to the type of loan you are applying for.

Direct Loan

1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the applicable academic year. The University of Alberta's federal code is: G08362.
2. E-sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). This must be done annually.
3. Grant the University of Alberta consent to view your FAFSA application via email usloans@ualberta.ca.
4. The University of Alberta will request further information to start the assessment of your student loan application.

Note: First-time student borrowers of Direct Loans will also be required to complete US Department of Education entrance counseling. If entrance counseling is not completed, loans are not disbursed.

Direct PLUS Loan

Grad PLUS Loan

Please note that this loan is no longer available to new borrowers beginning July 2026.

1. Graduate students can apply for a Grad PLUS Loan only if they have already applied for the maximum amount of unsubsidized Direct Loan for which they are eligible.
2. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the applicable academic year. The University of Alberta's federal code is: G08362.
3. E-sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). This must be done annually.
4. Complete a loan application to authorize a credit check and confirm with the University of Alberta your intent to receive a US government loan.

Parent PLUS Loan

1. The student's loan(s) and the Parent PLUS Loan application(s) may be submitted concurrently.
2. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the applicable academic year. The University of Alberta's federal code is: G08362.
3. E-sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). This must be done annually.
4. Complete a loan application to authorize a credit check and confirm with the University of Alberta your intent to receive a US government loan.

Loan Deadlines

All steps in the application process must be completed by June 1 in order to ensure funds are available for the fall term fee payment deadline or December 1 for students registering in the winter term.

Late applications are processed on a rolling basis and there is no guarantee funds will be disbursed by the fee payment deadlines.

By US Department of Education regulations, a US Loan (subsidized, unsubsidized, or Grad / Parent PLUS) cannot be originated after the student's study period end date.

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Receiving Your Loan

Once the loan has been assessed, you will receive a letter confirming your loan amount. You must accept or decline the loan amount, or request a different amount, by providing a written letter to an advisor in the Student Service Centre or by email to usloans@ualberta.ca. This must be done at least 10 days prior to the first disbursement date listed.

The loan funds are disbursed to your student account in Canadian funds on the scheduled disbursement dates. The disbursement schedule for most students is two equal instalments:

• Fall term: September (October for first time borrowers)
• Winter term: January (all borrowers)

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Deferring Your Existing US Government Loan(s)

Student registration is reported to the US Department of Education through the National Student Loan Data Service (NSLDS). Loan repayment for previous and current loans is deferred for full-time students. Students can verify the status of their loans and request a deferment on the NSLDS website.

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Regulations for US Federal Student Aid Recipients

• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements
• Withdrawal / Refund Policy
• USDL Consumer Information

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US Department of Veterans Affairs Funding Recipients

• Refund Policy