All Youngstown State University students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be awarded the Federal Direct Loan based on grade level upon date of aid packaging. YSU awards student loans after eligibility for grants, scholarships and Federal Work-Study (FWS) is considered and student loans must be repaid.
Youngstown State University participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program. Stafford loan disbursements will be funded directly through the Department of Education; there is no involvement from third party lenders or guarantors.
View our debt management page to research ways to limit your debt, manage your student loans and plan for repayment. Default aversion and financial literacy programs are also provided.
Recent Federal Loan Changes
Interest Rates: Undergraduates will borrow at a fixed rate of 6.53% for 2024-2025 (effective July 1 on both subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans), graduate students at 8.08% (unsubsidized Stafford loans only), and Parent and Grad PLUS loan borrowers at 9.08%
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Information
Subsidized Stafford Loan - A subsidized loan is awarded based on financial need. Student borrowers are not required to pay the interest that accrues while enrolled in school. The federal government pays the interest for subsidized loans for students that are enrolled at least half-time. Graduate students are not eligible for Subsidized Stafford Loans.
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan - An unsubsidized loan is not awarded based on financial need. Student borrowers are charged interest while in school. The borrower may choose to have the interest payment deferred while in school. If the borrower selects to defer interest payments while in school, at repayment, the amount owed will be increased by the interest that has accrued. If the borrower chooses to pay the interest while in school, the borrower will need to contact their servicer to set up payment arrangements.
Half-time enrollment is a requirement to secure Stafford funding. Repayment of Federal Direct Stafford loans begins six months after graduation, or when enrollment drops below half-time.
| Loan Limits | Dependent Undergraduates |
Independent Undergraduates |
Graduate Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year (Freshman) |
$5,500 max $3,500 of this amount may be subsidized loans |
$9,500 max $3,500 of this amount may be subsidized loans |
|
| 2nd year (Sophomore) |
$6,500 max $4,500 of this amount may be subsidized loans |
$10,500 max $4,500 of this amount may be subsidized loans |
|
| 3rd & 4th year (Junior and Senior) |
$7,500 max $5,500 of this amount may be subsidized loans |
$12,500 max $5,500 of this amount may be subsidized loans |
|
| Graduates | $20,500 Max *$0 of this amount may be in subsidized loans *as of July 1, 2012 |
||
| Aggregate Loan Limits for life of student's education | $31,000 max $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans |
$57,500 max $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans |
$138,500 max $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate debt limit includes Stafford Loans received for undergraduate study. |
First-time Stafford loan borrowers at YSU must sign a Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note and complete Federal Entrance Loan Counseling. Both of these requirements can be completed at Studentaid.gov. Studentaid.gov is also the site that students will complete Exit Loan Counseling upon graduation, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment.
Eligible students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and cannot be in default on any Title IV aid. Click for more information on Federal Stafford Loans from the Department of Education.
YSU Student Loan Code of Conduct
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Federal PLUS loans enable parents of dependent students with good credit histories to borrow funds to help pay for their child's college education. This federally funded loan has a fixed interest rate, currently set at 9.08% (2024-2025). Repayment of the Federal PLUS Loan generally begins sixty days after the final loan disbursement for each academic year. A PLUS denial is a denied credit check; students whose parent's credit check is denied are eligible for an additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Click for more information on a Federal PLUS Loan from the Department of Education.
The Department of Education's PLUS Application site combines the YSU PLUS Loan Request and Direct Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note under one process. To electronically sign the Direct PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN), the parent must have an FSA ID. If the parent does not have an FSA ID click here to request an FSAID.
Apply through the Department of Education's Federal Direct Parent PLUS site to apply now. The parent is the borrower and must provide their information during the log-in process.
Federal Grad PLUS Loan Information
Grad PLUS Loans are federal loans that graduate and professional students with good credit history may borrow to help pay educational expenses. This federally funded loan has a fixed interest rate, currently set at 9.08%. Half-time enrollment is a requirement. Click for more information on Federal Grad PLUS loan from the Department of Education.
Grad PLUS Application at studentaid.gov
Federal Links
Please note: All first-time loan borrowers are required to complete BOTH Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note. Additionally, graduating seniors, or students ending their enrollment, are required to complete Exit Loan Counseling.
Students may review their borrowing history and obtain loan servicer contact information by logging into studentaid.gov.