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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Scholarships and funding

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US Loans Terms and Conditions

The regulations below apply to the US Direct Loan program at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê

Please Note:

These restrictions do not apply to private US student loansÌý(e.g. Sallie Mae Smart Option Loans).Ìý PleaseÌýsee our page on Veterans Benefits and private loans.

The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Student Funding Office is responsible for implementing the US Student Financial Aid regulations and all decisions about whether you and your programme are eligible are made solely by the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Student Funding Office and communicated directly to you. Funding can be withdrawn at any time if it contravenes federal regulations.

Programmes ineligible for US federal loans

Most degree programmes at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê are eligible for Direct Loans, however, some are not.Ìý

Ineligible programmes include:Ìý

  • all non-degree programmes (e.g. Graduate Diploma, PGCE)
  • Foundation courses, including the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate
  • programmes with any element of distance learning
  • programmes based in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Medical School
  • programmes based at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê East, Here East or Canary Wharf*
  • programmes which include an internship period that is not an assessed, credited and/or compulsory part of the programme
  • most programmes with a significant taught element offered at non-Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê sites (e.g. Anna Freud centre)
  • someÌýprogrammesÌýinvolving study outside the UK for a portion of the programme (e.g. study abroad year as part of an undergraduate programme) - check with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Student Funding Office

*Ìý Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê has applied to makeÌýthese locationsÌýeligible forÌýDirect loans for 2024/25, but we are unable to provide a timeline for this nor provide guarantees

A list of currently ineligible courses can be found in the document below:

Please note that this list is continually updated, and that if your programme is not on this list, but falls into one of the ineligible categories above, you will be ineligible for loans. If you would like to discuss your programme,Ìýplease emailÌýus-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk.

Study in the US

Any student on a programme based in the USÌýwill not be eligible for Direct Loans, unless the total number of credits taken in the US is noÌýmore than 25% of the total programme credits.

Graduate research (PhD) students on study leave based in the USÌýmay beÌýeligible for Direct Loans if the duration is no more than 25% of the total programme.ÌýPhD students can spend a year in the USÌýwhilst in CRS (i.e. writing up), provided they have not previously carried out any study in the US.

Distance learning

Students on a course which has any element offered as "distance learning" will not be eligible to receive federal loans or Veterans Affairs benefits (i.e. G.I. Bill). Examples of distance learning are where your enrolment status is "Distance learning", "Non-resident" or "Mixed Mode".ÌýÌý

Study at another institution

If your programme at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê includes more than 25% of study atÌýan institution outside Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê which is not certified by the US Department of Education to offer Direct Loans your entire programme is ineligible for Direct Loans.Ìý Examples of courses that may be ineligible for funding:

  • MSc Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice
  • MPlan City Planning (depending on where you spend your termÌýabroad)
  • IMESS: International Masters in Economy, State & Society (depending on where you spend your year abroad)

Counselling

Entrance and Exit CounselingÌýmust be completed at the appropriate times. All new students who have not received a Direct Loan must complete entrance counseling prior to any funds being requested from the U.S. Department of Education. All final-year students must complete exit counseling in their last term at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê. If students withdraw early from their programme, they must complete exit counseling and any unearned funding must be repaid to the USÌýDepartment of Education.

Course Duration

Undergraduate students must complete their programme within a time frame of no longer than 150% of the published length of the course, and postgraduate students within a timeframe in accordance with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê’s Academic regulations. We will be unable to certify a loan for a longer period, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Review

You must be in good standing and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) each payment periodÌýaccording to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê's Academic Regulations. A Satisfactory Academic Progress review form must be completed and returned by your academic tutor at the end of each payment period. The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê SAP Policy is available below:Ìý

Ìý

Changes to Enrolment Status

If there are any changes to your enrolment status (e.g. if you withdraw or interrupt), thisÌýÌýwill affect your loan eligibility and we will need to re-calculate your Cost of Attendance based on your new student status. If you withdraw early from your programme you must complete and any unearned funding must be returned to the U.S. Department of Education according to their guidelines. The policy on returning US loan funds is available here.

Ìý

If you interrupt for more than 180 days we must report you as being withdrawn for US Loans purposes. If you subsequently return to your course,Ìýyour loan canÌýbe reinstated from that point.Ìý

Additional Funding

Students are required to inform the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Student Funding Office of any additional institutional funding (expected or received) before and after their student loan entitlement is calculated. This includes scholarships, grants or bursaries but excludes your own funds or gifts/loans from family. Please email us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk with any such information.

Borrowers' Right to Cancel

Students will be notified by email around 30 days before each loan disbursement is requested, and will have 14 days to change/cancel any expected loan disbursements. After this period has expired students will be responsible for returning any unwanted funds directly to either the USÌýDepartment of Education or the Loan Servicer.

Other:

  • Subsidised and Unsubsidised Direct loansÌýare subject toÌýlifetime limits. Taking out a Direct loan now mayÌýimpact your eligibility for taking out loans in the future. Visit theÌý for more information about lifetime limits.
  • It is important that you understand yourÌýloan repayment obligations. Please visit theÌýÌýfor more information.Ìý
  • Direct loans are subject toÌýinterest charges. Visit the for furtherÌýinformation.
  • Most students complete their studies on a full-time basis, but some are able to switch to half-time.Ìý Half-time enrolment means you are studying at a rate that will result in a completion of the degree in twice the time of a full-time enrolee. You will still be able to receive directÌýloans (pro rata), and remain inÌýdeferment on previous loans -Ìýhowever, dropping below half-time enrolment means you will no longer be eligible for further loans or continued deferment of previous loans.
  • It isÌýimportant that you contact the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Student Funding team at us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.ukÌýif you are considering withdrawing from your studies or changingÌýyour course/study mode.Ìý

If you have any questions about any of the above, you can contact us at us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk