Chicago-Kent College of Law:  Home Page Chicago-Kent College of Law:  Home Page    



 

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 Depart of Educatiosn Direct Loan Program. 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.

Federal Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins loan is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. IIT strongly encourages all students who wish to be considered for the Federal Perkins to submit the FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education by the March 15 deadline. The Financial Aid Office will award up to $3,000 per academic year to all eligible law, business and MPA students. These funds are limited and awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

The interest rate of the Federal Perkins Loan is 5 percent. Repayment begins and interest begins to accrue nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at halftime. 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. Students are eligible for a variety of deferment benefits associated with the Perkins loan.

For borrowers of Federal Perkins, the Student Loan Office generates Institutional Master Promissory Notes, which are different from other Master Promissory Notes. The promissory note is distributed by the Student Loan Office on Main Campus.

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.

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% for loans under the FFEL Program and 7.9% under the Direct Loan program. 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.

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


 

 

  Webmail Login              Updated February 12, 2010    Office of Public Affairs     Contact Us