Stafford Loans and Plus Loans are the only federal funds that can be used by students studying at a ‘foreign school’. Pell Grants and Perkins Loans are not available for study outside the USA. We can also certify private loan applications from lenders offering loans to US students studying overseas.
Stafford Loans
Stafford Loan amounts are fixed by the US government and may be made as subsidised and/or unsubsidised loans.
- Subsidised loan is based on financial need - the amount you might be eligible for depends upon your Student Aid Index (SAI). The US government pays the interest on this loan while you are at university at least half time, for the six month grace period after you leave university or drop below half-time enrolment or if you qualify for deferment.
- Unsubsidised loan is not based on financial need. You are responsible for paying the interest from the time the money is disbursed. The interest may be paid as it comes due or it may be postponed and allowed to accumulate while you are at university, during any authorised period of deferment and for the six month grace period after you leave university or drop below half-time enrolment (see above). If payments are postponed the interest accrues and accumulates and is added to your principal loan amount.
Graduate Plus loan for graduate students (Beginning 1 July 2026, available only to students eligible under the interim exception to the new loan limits – see below)
This loan is not based on financial need. Graduate students are eligible for this loan if they are undertaking postgraduate courses and they meet certain credit guidelines, and they are eligible under the interim exception for the new loan limits (see below). Students must apply for the maximum Stafford loan before taking out a Graduate Plus loan, however both applications can be made at the same time. The university can certify up to the full Cost of Attendance – minus any other financial aid.
Parent Plus loans for undergraduate students
Parents can take out a Plus loan to pay for your education if you are a dependent undergraduate enrolled at least half time. They must also meet certain credit guidelines. Interest is charged from the date of the first disbursement until the loan is paid in full. Beginning 1 July 2026, the total amount of all Direct Plus loans that all parents may borrow on behalf of each dependent student for any academic year of study may not exceed $20,000 minus other financial aid or $65,000 in aggregate (per dependent student).
The university can certify up to the full Cost of Attendance – minus any other financial aid received for the student - if the student is eligible under the interim exception for the new loan limits (see below).
More information about all of these loans is available at the .
Private Loans
Private loans are currently available through and . We are also happy to process loans from other private lenders willing to offer funding for students to study at a ‘foreign school’.
Interim exception to the new loan limits
The interim exception to the new loan limits will apply to students who are enrolled in a course of study at a school and have received a loan (or a parent borrowed a loan on the student’s behalf) as of 30 June 2026, for the applicable course of study, for the lesser of:
- Three academic years or
- The difference between the total published length of the course the borrower is enrolled in and the period of the course the borrower has already completed.