Financing

The Federal Student Loan program provides need-based, long-term, low-interest loans to eligible students.

• Student borrowers must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, they must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree seeking program, and they must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually.
• Origination fee: 1.057% for loans with a first disbursement on or after Oct. 1, 2020.
• Fixed interest rate: 6.533% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2024.
• Disbursed in two equal installments (typically mid-August and mid-January), applied to outstanding charges first; any remaining balance refunded to the borrower.
• Repayment: Six-month grace period after graduation or dropping below half-time; 10-year standard repayment term with no prepayment penalties.
• See the Federal Student Aid website for additional information.

To apply: 

• Complete DePauw's online loan request form.
• Sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN).
• Complete Entrance Counseling.

Under this federally guaranteed, non-need-based loan program, parents may borrow up to the total amount of education costs less any financial aid.

• Origination fee: 4.228% for loans with a first disbursement on or after Oct. 1, 2020.
• Fixed interest rate: 9.08% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2024.
• Interest accrual begins at disbursement.
• Repayment begins 60 days after disbursement with deferment of principal possible.
• To avoid having the credit check expire before the loan is disbursed, wait until after June 1 to apply each year.
• See the Federal Student Aid website for additional information.

To apply:

• Step 1: Complete the FAFSA
  If not already complete, the student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

• Step 2: Request the loan
  The parent who is borrowing should use their FSA ID to log in at Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan and complete the Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan steps.
  Parent borrowers must pass a basic credit check, with results available immediately. If credit is approved, borrowers will receive instructions for completing a PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note. If credit is not approved, parents may choose to not pursue the loan, obtain an endorser, or appeal the credit decision. Applicants with an adverse credit history who obtain a valid endorser or successfully document extenuating circumstances will be required to complete PLUS Loan Counseling.

• Step 3: PLUS counseling (if required)
  PLUS borrowers with adverse credit who decide to pursue a PLUS with an endorser or through an appeal to the Department of Education are required to complete PLUS Counseling. The PLUS Counseling must be completed within 30 days and will only be valid for the duration of the credit check. The parent who is borrowing should use their FSA ID to log in at Complete PLUS Credit Counseling and complete the PLUS Loan Credit Counseling steps.

• Step 4: Sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  Parents borrowing for new students and first-time parent borrowers of returning students should complete the Federal Direct Parent Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Parents. The parent can electronically sign the MPN using their FSA ID. If the parent previously borrowed a Federal Direct PLUS Loan for the student, they do not need to complete the Master Promissory Note again. The exception is for PLUS borrowers who went through an appeal process due to adverse credit or the use of an endorser.

Private student loans can help bridge the gap between federal aid and your educational costs. These loans are offered by banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, with terms and conditions that vary by lender.

• Terms and conditions of federal loans may be more favorable than those offered by private lenders, and we recommend considering federal loan programs before borrowing a private loan.

• Eligibility: The school must certify enrollment based on cost minus other aid, with borrower and co-borrower meeting lender's creditworthiness criteria.

• Interest Rates and Fees: Rates vary by loan type, lender and credit history, with options for fixed or variable terms and typically higher rates without a co-borrower.

• Repayment: Typically deferred until six months after dropping below half-time enrollment, with interest accruing during school and some lenders requiring in-school interest-only payments.

• Self-Certification Form: Required for all private loan borrowers, provided by and submitted directly to the lender.

• Lenders: DePauw will process private loans from any lending institution. We are not permitted to recommend or endorse any lender; we encourage you to compare lenders and loan terms to select the lender that best fits your needs.

 FASTChoice is a private loan selection tool that helps parents and students make a wise choice regarding borrowing private loans. FASTChoice allows you to compare lender rates, terms, and benefits.

The following lenders are not available on FASTChoice and have been used previously by DePauw students and parents: Bank of North Dakota; MPOWER Financing; Purdue Credit Bureau.

Need-based institutional loans, funded by DePauw alumni and friends, provide financial assistance to qualified domestic and international students, with award amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and typically limited to $2,000, based on availability and eligibility determined by the Financial Aid Office.

• 5% interest rate; requires a co-signer
• Offered through financial aid notification letter
• DePauw Loan Application required to initiate process, shared via email
• Promissory note and related documents provided by Financial Aid Office
• Funds credited after all documents are completed and returned

DePauw's monthly plan offers a convenient, interest-free option for managing educational expenses throughout the academic year.

The payment plan allows students or payers to pay for semester charges over four months for the first semester and four months for the second semester. Student must enroll each semester.

See full details here.