Student Loans

Subsidized loans from the U.S. Department of Education are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need based their FAFSA results.

No interest accrues while enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) or during deferment periods.

Graduate students are not eligible for subsidized loans.

Subsidized Loan Eligibility Criteria

• Submit the FAFSA annually and have a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).
• Enrolled in at least 6 semester-based credits as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Meet all other federal aid eligibility requirements.

Learn more at StudentAid.gov.

Unsubsidized loans from the U.S. Department of Education are available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students who complete the FAFSA.

• Financial need is not required to qualify.
• Interest begins accruing immediately upon loan disbursement.
• Interest is charged while enrolled in school and during deferment periods.
• Students are strongly encouraged to pay interest while in school to reduce overall costs.
• If the interest is unpaid, it is automatically deferred until graduation and is added to the loan balance when repayment begins.

Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility Criteria

• Submit the FAFSA annually and have a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).
• Be a degree seeking undergraduate, graduate or professional student.
• Enrolled at least:
  • 6 semester-based credits (undergraduate)
  • 5 semester-based credits (graduate/professional)
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Meet all other federal aid eligibility requirements.

Learn more at StudentAid.gov.

From the U.S. Department of Education, the Parent PLUS loan is a federal loan available to the parent or legal guardian of a dependent undergraduate student who has submitted a FAFSA.

The Parent PLUS loan is an additional funding option for parents seeking to help with their student's educational expenses that are not covered by other aid.

Parent PLUS Loan Application

When applying, parents/guardians can:

• Authorize UND to use loan funds for additional educational expenses after tuition, fees, room and meal plans have been paid. You are not required to provide this authorization.
• Designate who receives any credit balance — the student or the parent.
• Request a deferment while the student is in school.
• Request an additional 6-month deferment after the student drops below half-time enrollment. 

Parent PLUS Loan Eligibility Criteria

• Complete the FAFSA and have a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).
• Student must be a degree-seeking undergraduate enrolled at least half time (6 credits).
• Parent (natural, adoptive or legal guardians) may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid the student is receiving.
• Parent must not have an adverse credit history.
• The application will not be processed if the parent has a security freeze on their credit file.
• Requires a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
• Meet all other federal aid eligibility requirements.

Learn more at StudentAid.gov.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed on July 4, 2025, has set a $20,000 annual cap on the Federal Parent PLUS Loan program, effective July 1, 2026. Students needing additional funding to help pay for their educational costs are encouraged to explore private educational loan options.

The Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal loan from the U.S. Department of Education for graduate and professional students who need additional funding beyond other financial aid. Students may borrow up to their Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid received.

Graduate PLUS Loan Application

When applying, students can authorize UND to use loan funds for additional educational expenses after tuition, fees, room and meal plans have been paid.

You are not required to provide this authorization.

Graduate PLUS Eligibility Criteria

• Complete the FAFSA and have a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).
• Be a degree-seeking graduate or professional student enrolled at least half time (5 credits).
• May borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus other aid.
• Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
• Meet all other federal aid eligibility requirements.

Learn more and apply at StudentAid.gov. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed on July 4, 2025, will sunset the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program, effective July 1, 2026. Graduate students needing additional funding are encouraged to explore private educational loan options.

The Federal Nursing Loan is a low-interest (5%) federal loan available to undergraduate nursing students who demonstrate financial need.

• Eligible students will receive a Federal Nursing Loan as part of their financial aid offer.
• No interest accrues while the student is enrolled at least half time (6+ credits).
• Repayment begins nine months after graduation or withdrawal from college.

Federal Nursing Loan Eligibility Criteria

• Submit FAFSA and have a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be admitted to the BSN program (pre-nursing majors are not eligible).
• Be enrolled at least half-time (6+ credits).
• Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Truth in Lending documents.
• Meet all other federal aid eligibility requirements.

Private student loans are nonfederal loans offered by banks, credit unions, state agencies or schools to help cover educational expenses at UND.

• Private loans require a separate application and often require a co-signer.
• Compare different lenders to find the best rates and terms by using the FastChoice tool. 
• Note: FastChoice is not a lender and not all private loan providers are listed.

compare Loans with FASTchoice

UND offers Short-Term Loans (STLs) to assist students with temporary financial needs. These loans are administered by the Office of Student Finance and cannot be used to pay past-due balances.

Short-Term Loan Guidelines

• All STLs are charged a $5 processing fee.
• Students must be registered for the term in which they are applying.
• Students must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan.
• Applications must be submitted before the last day of the term.
• Funds are disbursed on or after the first day of class for the term requested.
• Students may have only one outstanding STL at a time.
• The loan amount is charged to the student's account.
• Loans must be repaid within 30 days to UND One-Stop Student Services.

Application Process

To apply for a STL:

1. Log into Campus Connection.
2. Click the "UND eForms" tile.
3. Select "Student Finance."
4. Select "Short Term Loan Application."

The Master Promissory Note is a legal agreement in which you promise to repay your loan(s), including any accrued interest and fees, to the U.S. Department of Education. It also outlines the terms and conditions of your loan(s).

MPN Validity & Process

• UND participates in the multi-year MPN process, meaning you only need to complete one MPN per federal loan type borrowed (e.g., Direct Loan, Nursing Loan, etc.).
• The MPN remains valid for 10 years, unless you file for bankruptcy.
• If you sign the MPN but do not borrow within 12 months, you must complete a new MPN.

Federal Direct, Direct PLUS or GradPLUS Loans

If you're borrowing one of these loans for the first time, you must complete your MPN.

MASTER PROMISSORY NOTE

Federal Nursing Loan

If you're borrowing one of these loans for the first time at UND, sign your online Electronic Promissory Note through ECSI. Please note that UND is listed as part of the North Dakota University System.

NURSING PROMISSORY NOTE

You must complete Entrance Loan Counseling before any federal loan funds will be released to you. Complete your required counseling for the federal loan(s) you've accepted:

• Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
• Parent PLUS Loan Entrance Loan Counseling (Required for some families under new regulations.)

Enrollment Criteria

You must complete Exit Loan Counseling if you:

• Drop below half-time enrollment.
• Withdraw from UND.
• Are in your last semester of enrollment at UND.

Exit Loan Counseling

Complete Exit Loan Counseling for the loan(s) you have taken out:

• Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and/or GradPLUS
• Federal Nursing Loan
• Federal TEACH Grant

If you have taken out a Medical Loan at UND, contact the Medical School Financial Aid Office directly to complete your Exit Loan Counseling.

The North Dakota Health Service Corps provides financial support to selected healthcare providers who work with underserved communities and populations in North Dakota.

North Dakota Healthcare Professionals Loan Replayment Program

Loan consolidation allows you to combine multiple student loans into a single new loan, resulting in one monthly payment.

Keep in mind, consolidation will likely increase your total borrowing costs. Before consolidating, contact your student loan lender for complete details on available consolidation programs.

Federal Loan Consolidation

• Learn more about federal loan consolidation through the U.S. Department of Education.
• If you're unsure of your loan servicer, visit StudentAid.gov for assistance.

Federal Loan Consolidation Application

Private Loan Consolidation

Use the FastChoice tool to compare consolidation lenders for private student loans.

FASTCHOICE Private LOAN CONSOLIDATION

Refer to the U.S. Department of Education's Guide to Defaulted Student Loans for borrowers whose federal loans are in default status.