Steps to Borrow a Federal Direct Student Loan

The student will log into their MyLongwood portal to accept the Federal Direct Student Loan.

First-time student borrowers will need to visit the Federal Student Aid website and login with their FSA ID and 

 To start select Complete Aid Process – Complete Entrance Counseling – Start.


Loan Amounts

The maximum Federal Direct Loan a student may borrow is based on his/her year in school and dependency status, as determined by the FAFSA. If you demonstrate financial need a portion of the totals for undergraduate students may be subsidized.

Year in SchoolDependent StudentIndependent Student
Freshman $5,500 $9,500
Sophomore $6,500 $10,500
Junior $7,500 $12,500
Senior $7,500 $12,500

*Students may not receive Direct Subsidized Loans for more than 150% of the published length of their program.

*Federal Direct Loans are subject to lifetime borrowing limits, typically referred to as “Aggregate Loan Limits”. If the total loan amount you borrow over the course of your education reaches the aggregate loan limit, you are not eligible to receive additional loans.

Learn more about Aggregate Loan Limits.


Interest Rates

Interest Rates for Direct Loans First Disbursed on or After July 1, 2024, and Before July 1, 2025
Loan Type Borrower Type Fixed Interest Rate
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans Undergraduate 6.53%
Direct PLUS Loans Parents and Graduate or Professional Students

9.08%

All interest rates shown in the chart above are fixed rates that will not change for the life of the loan.


Loan Fees

Direct loans have loan fees that will be deducted prior to disbursement. The percentage varies depending on when the loan is first disbursed.

Loan fees are updated by the U.S. Department of Education on July 1 of each year.

Loan Fees for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans
First Disbursement DateLoan Fee
On or after Oct. 1, 2019, and before Oct. 1, 2020 1.059%
On or after Oct. 1, 2020, and before Oct. 1, 2021 1.057%
Loan Fees for Direct PLUS Loans (parent or graduate)
First Disbursement DateLoan Fee
On or after Oct. 1, 2019, and before Oct. 1, 2020 4.236%
On or after Oct. 1, 2020, and before Oct. 1, 2021 4.228%