US financial aid: information and how to apply

An overview of various loans available to US students and how to apply for them.

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Federal Student Aid

If you are a US citizen or eligible non-US citizen and have firmly accepted an unconditional offer to commence study on an eligible program at University of Sheffield, you may be able to receive US Federal Student Aid from the US Department of Education.

The University of Sheffield participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Programme. You can find out more about the loans programme from their website.

Federal Student Aid website

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid, you must meet all of the criteria below:

You are an American national or permanently reside in America.
You have accepted an offer to study at the University of Sheffield for the following academic year.
You can evidence achievement of a high school diploma or equivalent qualification.
You are not in default on a previous educational loan.
You complete entrance counselling and Master Promissory Notes (where applicable).
You maintain satisfactory academic progress.
You are studying an eligible course (refer to the list below for ineligible courses).

Programmes that are not eligible to receive Federal Student Aid at the University of Sheffield

Specific programmes within the Faculty of Health, including MBChB and BDS, or any course with clinical modules. If your programme is within this faculty, we will review the eligibility once you have submitted an application.
Foundation years, this is either as a standalone year or as part of an undergraduate degree. The remainder of the undergraduate programme may be eligible for Federal Student Aid. Contact us for further information about this.
Certificate and diploma degrees
First-professional degrees
Programmes of either distance learning or remote location mode of attendance
Programmes for which any portion is provided by an institution/entity that is not eligible to participate in Title IV Programmes.
Programmes that include a period of study abroad; this includes conducting any study within the USA
Programmes off campus, ie attending City College in Thessaloniki, Sofia and Tirana
Programmes at Sheffield International College or the English Language Teaching Centre
Visiting and exchange students or students on an Erasmus/Study Abroad programme (you should apply for funds through your home institution)
Programmes that include Erasmus/Study Abroad (contact us to check this as some may be eligible)
Programmes run by the University of Law at the University of Sheffield campus, such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC)
Programmes that include placement years and internships
Programmes classified as non-degree
Apprenticeship programmes

A full list of eligibility criteria can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

Students cannot access Federal Pell Grants at University of Sheffield.

If you are not eligible for Federal Loans, you may be eligible to apply for a private loan.

How much can you borrow (Cost of Attendance)?

For each new academic year, we develop a list of estimated student expenses that we anticipate students will need to cover for their chosen programs of study: this is known as a Cost of Attendance (COA).

The COA is calculated by adding your tuition fee and estimated living costs together. We include:

Direct educational costs, such as your tuition fees, course materials, and resource costs
Indirect maintenance costs, such as your living expenses (including accommodation and food), international and local transportation, and miscellaneous expenses

We then deduct any scholarships or other fee reductions, known as Other Financial Assistance (OFA), and the Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS).

Federal Aid - Calculating Your Package Entitlement (PDF, 108KB)

We use the COA to support the calculation of your loan entitlement.

Whilst there may be slight variations according to individual needs, we expect your COA to be in line with our estimates. We have a duty to ensure that students only borrow what is required for educational purposes.

Loan disbursements

US regulations require us to disburse your loan in multiple instalments. Your disbursement schedule is dependent upon your level and programme of study.

At each disbursement, funds will be deposited into your university fee account, and we will deduct any monies owed to us (for example, tuition fees or accommodation fees). You will then receive any remaining monies in your personal bank account within 14 days.

We will notify you of each individual disbursement and provide you with the option of cancelling your loan should you wish.

US Direct Federal Loan types and limits

Loan types

University of Sheffield is certified to distribute the following Direct Federal Loans offered by the US Department of Education:

Direct Subsidised Loans
Direct Unsubsidised Loans
Direct Plus Loans

Question	Direct Subsidised	Direct Unsubsidised	Direct PLUS
Who can get the loan?	Undergraduate students with a financial need	Undergraduate and graduate students. You don’t have to demonstrate financial need.	Parents of undergraduates or graduates
How much can I borrow?	We calculate this using your COA, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and other financial assistance you may be receiving	We calculate this using your COA and other financial assistance you may be receiving	We calculate this using your COA and other financial assistance you may be receiving
Who pays the interest?	US Department of Education if you meet relevant conditions	You (the student) are responsible for paying interest during all periods	The borrower is responsible for paying the interest during all periods
Is there a loan fee?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Is there a credit check completed?	No	No	Yes

Loan limits

There are limits on the amount of subsidised and unsubsidised loans that you may be eligible to receive. The limits are based upon factors including your status (dependent or independent), the level of your study, and your financial need.

Dependent undergraduate

Year of study	Maximum loan
1st year	$5,500 (of which a maximum of $3,500 may be subsidised)
2nd year	$6,500 (of which a maximum of $4,500 may be subsidised)
3rd year onwards	$7,500 (of which a maximum of $5,500 may be subsidised)

Total aggregate (amount you may borrow per programme of study) = $31,000

Independent undergraduate (including dependent undergraduates whose parents are denied a PLUS Loan)

Year of study	Maximum loan
1st year	$9,500 (of which a maximum of $3,500 may be subsidised)
2nd year	$10,500 (of which a maximum of $4,500 may be subsidised)
3rd year onwards	$12,500 (of which a maximum of $5,500 may be subsidised)

Total aggregate (amount you may borrow per programme of study) = $57,500

Postgraduates

Year of study	Maximum loan
Per year of study	$20,500

Total aggregate (amount you may borrow per programme of study) = $138,500

Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

How to apply for Federal Student Aid

Applications for the 2025-26 academic year are open from 7 April 2025; details on how to apply for the 2025-26 academic year are shown below.

1. Apply to FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for your loans.

Create an account on the Federal Student Aid website to produce a Federal Student Aid ID.
Gather the documents required.
If you're determined to be a dependent, your parents will need to provide information on your application.
Inform them that you intend to study at the University of Sheffield with the School Code G08398/00839800.
Inform us that you have submitted your FAFSA by emailing usloans@sheffield.ac.uk and providing your full name and University applicant number.

2. You will receive a FAFSA Submittal Summary (FSS).

Once you have submitted your application for FAFSA, you will receive an email confirming submission and details of your estimated Federal Student Aid.
This notification will include estimated Federal Pell Grant, minimum available Direct Loans, and Average Work Study at the University of Sheffield. Students cannot access Federal Pell Grants and Average Work Study at the University of Sheffield.
Your FSS will provide your Student Aid Index (SAI) and also may detail any actions needed to further your application.

In the UK, we are only able to offer the Direct Loan Funding. If you have any questions, contact us.

3. Resolve application queries (if required).

If there are outstanding actions against your application, we may contact you. You will need to work with us to resolve these.
You may need to provide additional evidence to support your application.
Our staff who manage Federal Student Aid within the Student Funding Team will support this.

4. You will receive a Funding Package Notification Letter.

We will access your FAFSA via the US Federal Loan system. We will calculate your Cost of Attendance, indicating the funding package available to you, and send this, along with a Funding Package Notification Letter, where you will need to confirm the level of funding you require.
The letter will include an overview of how we have calculated your Cost of Attendance (COA) in order to determine your loan amounts.

5. Complete and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

We cannot disburse any loan until this is completed.

This is a legal document where you promise to repay any loans to the US Department of Education.
If you are accepting a PLUS loan as well as a subsidised or unsubsidised loan, you need to complete a MPN for each.

6. You may be required to complete entrance counselling.

If applicable to you, we cannot disburse any loan until this is completed.

First time borrowers are required to complete entrance counselling for each type of loan, eg subsidised loans, unsubsidised loans, and Direct PLUS Loans. This ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan.
Where applicable, this is a Federal Government requirement.

7. If applicable, apply for a PLUS loan.

Your application for a PLUS loan is not complete until you have submitted your application and received confirmation from them via email of approval and that your Credit Check has been completed.

8. Return the Funding Notification Letter accepting your funding offer and receive your funding confirmation.

Once you have completed all of the steps above, review the information and loan amounts offered. Send us a signed copy of your Funding Notification Letter accepting your funding offer.
We will then process your loan application within 10-15 working days of receiving your signed Funding Package Notification Letter and all documents required.
You will then be issued with your Official Loan Letter confirming your eligibility for loans: this document may be required for visa purposes.

To ensure your funds are in place for September 2025, we must be able to access your FAFSA by August 2025. You can still apply after this date; however, there may be a delay in processing your application and your funds may not be available for the start of your course.

It is important to ensure that you have funds in place to support your travel and living costs before you receive your first loan payment: undergraduate students' funding will not be released until 30 days after registration, so you will require funding to cover living costs during this period.
UK bank details must be added to your University MUSE account before and funds can be disbursed.
The exchange rate used to calculate your funding package can be found on your Cost of Attendance calculation. The rate used allows for exchange rate fluctuations. Funds are disbursed from your University account at the current rate.

Applying for additional funds

If you experience a change of circumstances during your studies, you may be able to apply for additional funds within the total amount shown on your Cost of Attendance.

The deadline to apply for Federal Student Aid for the 2025-26 academic year is Friday 29 May 2026.

US Federal Student Aid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a FAFSA?

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid which you need to complete. This application is the only way that your eligibility for Federal Student Aid Programs can be assessed. Before completing your FAFSA, you should ensure that you have all the relevant information and documentation to hand.

Support and advice for this can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

What is the Federal School Code?

Each institution involved in disbursement of Federal Loans has a unique code. You will need to use this code to search for and add an institution into your application. This ensures that the institution receives your processed application data to allow an assessment of your eligibility for loan types and amounts. Our University of Sheffield school code is: G08398/00839800.

What happens once I complete the FAFSA?

Upon completion of your application, you will receive a Federal Submittal Summary (FSS), which lists the data that you inputted at application and provides any Other Financial Assistance (OFA) used to determine eligibility for needs-based financial aid. You must ensure that you check the details on your FSS. It is important that you view the comments section which will identify any errors needing to be resolved to further your application. For further information on the process, refer to 'How to apply for Federal Student Aid'.

Will I be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant?

You will not be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant if you study at University of Sheffield because these are not available at foreign schools.

When will you assess my application?

We will start processing applications for the new academic year from 7 April 2025 and will aim to notify applicants of eligibility and calculated loan entitlements via email within 20 working days at the latest.

For in-year applications, we aim to process your application within 10-15 days of receiving an application (although this may take longer during busy departmental periods).

Who do I contact at University of Sheffield to discuss Federal Student Aid?

Federal Student Aid sits within the Student Funding Team in the University’s Student Registry Team. You can contact staff via usloans@sheffield.ac.uk.

Do I have to reapply for Federal Aid each year?

Yes, you will need to complete a new FAFSA for each new year of your study.

What is a Cost of Attendance (COA)?

For each new academic year, we develop a list of estimated student expenses that we anticipate students will need to cover for their chosen programs of study: this is known as a Cost of Attendance.

Refer to ‘How much can you borrow (Cost of Attendance)?’ for more information.

Why do I need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN)?

Your MPN is a legally binding document which the US Department of Education requires you to sign to confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions of your loan.

As the University of Sheffield is classed as a foreign school, you are required to sign a new MPN for each loan you have borrowed, for each academic year of study.

What is entrance counselling?

If you are a first-time borrower of subsidised/unsubsidised and PLUS Direct Loans, you are legally required to complete entrance counselling. This process is not as daunting as it sounds, it is in place to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions linked to your loan.

What is exit counselling?

The US Department of Education requires Federal Loan borrowers to complete exit counselling by the time you graduate (or alternatively drop below ‘half time’ or withdraw) from the University of Sheffield.

What if I am assessed as not eligible for Federal Student Aid?

If you are not eligible for Federal Student Aid, you may be eligible for a private loan to support your studies. Taking out a private loan is entirely your decision and we recommend you consider your options and research terms, interest rates and other details carefully before making your decision.

Private loans

As far as the University is aware, there are only two private lenders that make loans available to US students completing a degree at a UK institution. These private loans are available from Sallie Mae Student Loans or Earnest Student Loans.

Further information about the loans are available from their websites:

Sallie Mae Student Loans website

Earnest Student Loans website

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for these loans via the University of Sheffield you must meet both of the criteria below:

You have submitted an application with either Sallie Mae Student Loans or Earnest Student Loans and have been approved for funding.
You have accepted an offer to study at the University of Sheffield for the next academic year.

How to apply for private loans

1. Once you have received an offer to study with ourselves, you should email usloans@sheffield.ac.uk. Within 7-10 working days of our team receiving your email, we will calculate a provisional Cost of Attendance document indicating the funding package available to you.

2. This document should be used to apply to either Sallie Mae or Earnest Student Loans for your loans and inform them that you intend to study at the University of Sheffield. If the school code is required, use either G08398/00839800. Use the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form (PDF, 186KB).

3. Upon receiving confirmation from your chosen lender, we will confirm your Cost of Attendance, indicating the funding package available to you, and send this, along with a Funding Package Notification Letter, where you will need to confirm the level of funding you require. Once you have completed this, return via email to usloans@sheffield.ac.uk.

4. We will then process your loan application within 10-15 working days of receiving your Funding Package Notification Letter and issue your Official Loan Letter confirming your eligibility package for loans.

We are unable to certify the details of your private loan until you register for the academic year 2025-26.
UK bank details must be added to your University MUSE account before and funds can be disbursed.
The exchange rate used to calculate your funding package can be found on your Cost of Attendance calculation. The rate used allows for exchange rate fluctuations. Funds are disbursed from your University account at the current rate.

Additional information and consumer disclosures

Consumer disclosures

Information and forms you may need during your studies if you are in receipt of a US loan can be found on our web page.

US financial aid: consumer information

In-School Deferment

If you are in receipt of Federal Loans whilst you are studying at the University, we are required to report your registration status with the National Student Loan Data System for Students (NSLDS) every 60 days.

If you are not in receipt of loans but require your registration status to be reported for loan deferment purposes, contact us to request this.

In-School Deferment Request Form

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To comply with US Loan Federal Regulations the University is required to confirm your attendance and progression on your course twice per academic year.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Taking a leave of absence or withdrawing from the University

Information is available about taking a leave of absence, withdrawing, and Title IV.

University policies

Contact us

US financial aid sits within the Student Funding Team in the University’s Student Registry Team.

For questions about US financial aid, get in touch via usloans@sheffield.ac.uk.