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Office of Financial Aid

FEDERAL LOANS

The IIT Downtown Campus (DTC) Office of Financial Aid participates in a number of major loan programs sponsored by the federal government.

Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
The federal government offers these loans to eligible students through participating banks, credit unions, and savings and loan institutions. Graduate students may apply for up to $20,500 per academic year, of which $8,500 may be subsidized (the federal government pays the interest while the student is in school and during grace periods and eligible deferment periods) if the student qualifies on the basis of need.

The student will be responsible for in-school interest on any unsubsidized portion borrowed. Students may borrow up to a combined aggregate maximum of $138,500 for both undergraduate and graduate loans through this program.

The interest rate for these loans is fixed at 6.8%. Interest on a subsidized loan does not begin to accrue until six months after the student ceases at least half-time enrollment, at which time repayment of principal and interest begins.

For the 2008-2009 academic year, Federal Stafford loans will be processed with the lender that was selected for the current (2007-08) year and will be for the amounts that are accepted throuh the myIIT portal. If you wish to select a different lender, complete a new Master Promissory Note with the lender of your choice and immediately notify the Financial Aid Office via e-mail.

First time IIT(DTC) borrowers should review the Federal Stafford Loan Comparison Chart, select one of the lenders, and complete their on-line application.

Federal Perkins Loan
Perkins Loans will be awarded based on student's submission of the FAFSA prior to March 15, 2008 and demonstrated need.

The Financial Aid Office will award up to $3,000 per academic year to all eligible law, business and MPA students. Students who visit at another law school are not eligible for a Perkins loan. Students who receive full tution scholarship or tutiiton remission are not eligilble for a Perkins Loan.

The interest rate on these loans is 5% and does not begin to accrue until six to nine months after the recipient ceases to attend at least half time. Loans range from $1,500 to $3,000 per year, to an aggregate maximum of $30,000, including undergraduate study. The minimum repayment rate on these loans is $40 per month, but may be more in order to meet the 10-year maximum repayment requirement.

Repayment commences nine months (six months for students who have outstanding balances on NDSL/Perkins Loans prior to 1987) after the borrower ceases to attend at least half time.

The following students are not eligible to receive the Perkins loan:
• Students who are visiting another law school not paying IIT tuition
• Honors Scholars
• Students receiving full tuition scholarships
• IIT Staff who receive tuition remission. The following important information is for financial aid recipients. It is important to read the entire message to understand your financial aid options. If you do not receive financial aid, and do not have any interest in receiving financial aid, please disregard this message.

Federal Graduate Plus Loan
The Graduate PLUS Loan is be beneficial for students who need additional aid beyond the Federal Stafford and/or Perkins Loan. Previously, the only option available to these students was a private loan. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5%. The standard repayment period is 10 years. Borrowers may be able to extend the repayment period to as long as 25 depending total student loan debt amounts. Students must meet federal credit criteria to qualify.

Unlike undergraduate PLUS loans, where the borrower is the student’s parent, Graduate PLUS loans allow only the student to be the borrower. The primary reason why this loan is more beneficial than private loans is the fixed interest rate.

First time IIT(DTC) borrowers should review the Federal Graduate Plus Loan Comparison Chart, select one of the lenders, and complete their on-line application.

If you decide to apply for the private loan instead of the Graduate PLUS Loan, You must do the following:

Notify the Office of Financial Aid via email at finaid@kentlaw.edu or finaid@stuart.iit.edu. Apply with your lender. Once your private loan is approved and completed with your lender, the Office of Financial Aid will be notified electronically to complete the school certification request. If you choose to use a private loan instead of the Graduate Plus Loan and do not notify our office of your decision, we will not certify the private loan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


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