Loans

How to Apply

• To apply for a federal student loan, start by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The institution will use the information from your FAFSA to determine your eligibility and send you a financial aid offer that may include federal loans. Award letters will be sent to the students UTPB email address.

Requirements

Pre-disbursement

• Enrolled at least half time
• Meeting SAP
• A note will be placed on your To Do List on MyUTPB if additional steps are required before disbursement.
• If you are a new borrower at UTPB (including transfer students), you must complete Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
• If you are a new borrower at UTPB (including transfer students), you must complete Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note.
  * A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is generally valid for up to 10 years, in some circumstances a new one is required annually.

Post-disbursement

• Each Federal Direct Loan borrower at UTPB is required to complete Student Exit Counseling shortly before completing a degree, leaving UTPB (i.e., withdrawing, graduation) or ceasing half-time enrollment.

Award Amount/Acceptance

• The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan amount is based on established financial need.
• The annual limit cannot exceed UTPB Cost of Attendance minus the other financial aid you receive.
• You can accept your loan offers via your student portal. Click here for step by step instructions.
• You don't have to accept the entire loan offer right away; you can borrow less and request more later if circumstances require it. Refer to step 6 of our How to Accept Aid page.
• Loan amounts are awarded on an annual basis and will be evenly divided between the fall and spring semesters.
  Example: $5,500 Annual = $2,750 Fall semester + $2,750 Spring semester
• If you accept your maximum annual loan amount during the Fall and
  Spring semester you will not have loan eligibility for the Summer semester.
  
  *Loans must be accepted BEFORE the last day of the semester in order for disbursement to occur.

Disbursement

• Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be less than the amount you accepted.
  Example: $2,750 Accepted amount (Fall Only) - $29 (origination fee) = $2,721 Disbursed amount
• Federal Regulations state financial aid must wait until 10 days before the start of each long semester to begin disbursing money to pay your account if your file is complete. Student Accounting will begin the refund process once funds have been released to your account starting the first day of class each semester.
• For summer, loan funds will be released in one disbursement on the 1st class day of the session in which you establish half-time attendance.

Adjustments

• Loan amounts will be prorated based on enrollment status. Enrollment below full-time results in reduced eligibility. Enrollment status is based on the number of Course Program of Study (CPoS) hours in which the student is enrolled.
• The loan amount you receive must be based on the number of hours in which you are enrolled and have begun attendance as of the 12th class day of each term. Therefore, after initial disbursement of your funds, subsequent changes may be made to the amount through the 12th class day based on your actual enrollment.
• Students can use the loan change request form(refer to loan section of our financial aid forms library) to make changes to their Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, or Alternative Loans, including canceling, adjusting, or reinstating them.
• Graduation proration- Please note that applying for graduation may affect your financial aid eligibility. If you are an undergraduate student, federal regulations require the Financial Aid Office to review your record and prorate your federal loans based on your enrollment during your final term.

Repayment

• Federal student loans have many repayment options.
• On March 10, 2026, a court order ended the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The U.S. Department of Education will contact impacted borrowers, who can explore and apply for other repayment plans. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov/courtactions.
• If you receive disbursements on new loans or on a new consolidation loan on or after July 1, 2026, then you won’t have access to the IBR, ICR, and PAYE Plans even if you were previously enrolled in those plans.
• New repayment plans have been established for borrowers who receive loans on or after July 1, 2026.
• Calculate Your Federal Student Loan Repayment Options with Loan Simulator.
• If you receive a federal student loan, you will be required to repay that loan with interest.

How to apply

• To apply for a federal student loan, start by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The institution will use the information from your FAFSA to determine your eligibility and send you a financial aid offer that may include federal loans. Award letters will be sent to the students UTPB email address.

Requirements

Pre-disbursement

• Enrolled at least half time
• Meeting SAP
• A note will be placed on your To Do List on MyUTPB if additional steps are required before disbursement.
• If you are a new borrower at UTPB (including transfer students), you must complete Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
• If you are a new borrower at UTPB (including transfer students), you must complete Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note.
  * A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is generally valid for up to 10 years, in some circumstances a new one is required annually.

Post-disbursement

• Each Federal Direct Loan borrower at UTPB is required to complete Student Exit Counseling shortly before completing a degree, leaving UTPB (i.e., withdrawing, graduation) or ceasing half-time enrollment.

Award Amount/Acceptance

• The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan amount is based on established financial need.
• The annual limit cannot exceed UTPB Cost of Attendance minus the other financial aid you receive.
• You can accept your loan offers via your student portal. Click here for step by step instructions.
• You don't have to accept the entire loan offer right away; you can borrow less and request more later if circumstances require it. Refer to step 6 of our How to Accept Aid page.
• Loan amounts are awarded on an annual basis and will be evenly divided between the fall and spring semesters.
  Example: $7,000 Annual = $3,500 Fall semester + $3,500 Spring semester
• If you accept your maximum annual loan amount during the Fall and
  Spring semester you will not have loan eligibility for the Summer semester.
  
  *Loans must be accepted BEFORE the last day of the semester in order for disbursement to occur.

Disbursement

• Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be less than the amount you accepted.
  Example: $3,500 Accepted amount (Fall Only) - $36 (origination fee) = $3,464 Disbursed amount
• Federal Regulations state financial aid must wait until 10 days before the start of each long semester to begin disbursing money to pay your account if your file is complete. Student Accounting will begin the refund process once funds have been released to your account starting the first day of class each semester.
• For summer, loan funds will be released in one disbursement on the 1st class day of the session in which you establish half-time attendance.

Adjustments

• Loan amounts will be prorated based on enrollment status. Enrollment below full-time results in reduced eligibility. Enrollment status is based on the number of Course Program of Study (CPoS) hours in which the student is enrolled.
• The loan amount you receive must be based on the number of hours in which you are enrolled and have begun attendance as of the 12th class day of each term. Therefore, after initial disbursement of your funds, subsequent changes may be made to the amount through the 12th class day based on your actual enrollment.
• Students can use the loan change request form(refer to loan section of our financial aid forms library) to make changes to their Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, or Alternative Loans, including canceling, adjusting, or reinstating them.
• Graduation proration- Please note that applying for graduation may affect your financial aid eligibility. If you are an undergraduate student, federal regulations require the Financial Aid Office to review your record and prorate your federal loans based on your enrollment during your final term.

Repayment

• Federal student loans have many repayment options.
• On March 10, 2026, a court order ended the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The U.S. Department of Education will contact impacted borrowers, who can explore and apply for other repayment plans. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov/courtactions.
• If you receive disbursements on new loans or on a new consolidation loan on or after July 1, 2026, then you won’t have access to the IBR, ICR, and PAYE Plans even if you were previously enrolled in those plans.
• New repayment plans have been established for borrowers who receive loans on or after July 1, 2026.
• Calculate Your Federal Student Loan Repayment Options with Loan Simulator.
• If you receive a federal student loan, you will be required to repay that loan with interest.

How to apply

• Student must have FAFSA on file
• The entire Direct PLUS Loan Application process must be completed in a single session by the parent. It takes approximately 20 minutes to apply for a parent PLUS loan using the online application.
• The Parent applying for a loan will need a verified FSA ID, the requested loan amount, the student's school name, student and parent personal information,m and employer details. 

Requirements

• Enrolled at least half time
• Meeting SAP
• Eligible parents include: A biological parent, a legal adoptive parent of the student or the spouse of the student's biological or legal adoptive parent (the student's stepparent).
• Applicants will be required to go through a credit check. 
• If you are a new borrower at UTPB, you must complete a Direct PLUS Loan MPN.
  * A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is generally valid for up to 10 years, in some circumstances a new one is required annually.

Award Amount/Acceptance

• The school you select will use the information collected including requested award amount and determine your eligibility for a Direct PLUS Loan.
• Please ensure the student checks their email regularly, as our loan officer may request further information to complete the processing.
• The loan officer will determine eligibility and update the student’s awards to include the PLUS loan amount. An updated award letter will be sent to the students UTPB email address. No action is required in the student portal.
• The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is available to parents of undergraduate, dependent students and is not based on established financial need.
• The annual limit cannot exceed UTPB Cost of Attendance minus the other financial aid you receive.
  *Loans must be accepted BEFORE the last day of the semester in order for disbursement to occur.

Disbursement

• Federal Regulations state financial aid must wait until 10 days before the start of each long semester to begin disbursing money to pay your account if your file is complete. Student Accounting will begin the refund process starting the first day of class once funds have been released to your account.
• If all requirements have been completed, processing of the loan will take 5-7 business days.

Adjustments

• If you wish to make an adjustment to the loan, please email loans@utpb.edu.

Repayment

• Federal student loans have many repayment options.
• On March 10, 2026, a court order ended the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The U.S. Department of Education will contact impacted borrowers, who can explore and apply for other repayment plans. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov/courtactions.
• If you receive disbursements on new loans or on a new consolidation loan on or after July 1, 2026, then you won’t have access to the IBR, ICR, and PAYE Plans even if you were previously enrolled in those plans.
• New repayment plans have been established for borrowers who receive loans on or after July 1, 2026.
• Calculate Your Federal Student Loan Repayment Options with Loan Simulator.

How to apply

• Graduate PLUS Loans will no longer be available to new borrowers starting July 1, 2026.
• Legacy Provision: Borrowers who received a Federal Direct Loan before July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a program of study, may continue borrowing under the Graduate PLUS program for up to three academic years or the remainder of their expected time to credential, whichever is less. To remain eligible for Legacy Provision status, borrowers must remain enrolled in the same program of study.
• Student must have FAFSA on file
• The entire Direct PLUS Loan Application process must be completed in a single session by the student. It takes approximately 20 minutes to apply for a grad PLUS loan using the online application.
• The student applying for a loan will need a verified FSA ID, the requested loan amount, their schools name, personal information, and employer details. 

Requirements

• Enrolled at least half time
• Meeting SAP
• You must be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• You cannot have an adverse credit history, unless you qualify under special circumstances.
• You also need to meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
• Applicants will be required to go through a credit check. 
• If you are a new borrower at UTPB (including transfer students), you must complete Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
• If you are a new borrower at UTPB, you must complete a Direct PLUS Loan MPN.
  * A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is generally valid for up to 10 years, in some circumstances a new one is required annually.

Award Amount/Acceptance

• The school you select will use the information collected including requested award amount and determine your eligibility for a Direct PLUS Loan.
• Please ensure the student checks their email regularly, as our loan officer may request further information to complete the processing.
• The loan officer will determine eligibility and update the student’s awards to include the PLUS loan amount. An updated award letter will be sent to the students UTPB email address. No action is required in the student portal.
• The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is available to parents of undergraduate, dependent students and is not based on established financial need.
• The annual limit cannot exceed UTPB Cost of Attendance minus the other financial aid you receive.
  *Loans must be accepted BEFORE the last day of the semester in order for disbursement to occur.

Disbursement

• Federal Regulations state financial aid must wait until 10 days before the start of each long semester to begin disbursing money to pay your account if your file is complete. Student Accounting will begin the refund process starting the first day of class once funds have been released to your account.
• If all requirements have been completed, processing of the loan will take 5-7 business days.

Adjustments

• If you wish to make an adjustment to the loan, please email loans@utpb.edu.

Repayment

• Federal student loans have many repayment options.
• On March 10, 2026, a court order ended the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The U.S. Department of Education will contact impacted borrowers, who can explore and apply for other repayment plans. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov/courtactions.
• If you receive disbursements on new loans or on a new consolidation loan on or after July 1, 2026, then you won’t have access to the IBR, ICR, and PAYE Plans even if you were previously enrolled in those plans.
• New repayment plans have been established for borrowers who receive loans on or after July 1, 2026.
• Calculate Your Federal Student Loan Repayment Options with Loan Simulator.

How to apply

• Start by researching student loan lenders that you might be interested in or browse available options here.
• View your available options, and compare their private loan terms and features.
• Once you've made your choice, go to each lender's website to apply directly.

Requirements

• No FAFSA required
• Requirements vary by lender, see lenders website for additional details

Award Amount/Acceptance

• If the amount requested is approved by the lender then the institution will be notified and we will post the award. No further action is needed on the student portal.
• Please ensure the student checks their email regularly, as our loan officer may request further information to complete the processing.
• The loan officer will determine eligibility and update the student’s awards to include the Private loan amount. An updated award letter will be sent to the students UTPB email.
• The Loan is a credit-based loan available to students and is not based on established financial need.
• The annual limit cannot exceed UTPB Cost of Attendance minus the other financial aid you receive.

Disbursement

• If all requirements have been completed, processing of the loan will take 10 business days.

Adjustments

• Contact lender for options

Repayment

• Repayment options vary by lender, see lenders website for additional details.
  
  
  

If you are a Teacher

You may be eligible for Teacher Loan Forgiveness of up to $17,500 if

• you teach full time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency, and
• you have a Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan.

If you are a Government Employee

You may be able to receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if

• you work in federal, state, local, or tribal government (including the military and AmeriCorps), and
• you have a Direct Loan.*

If you Work for a Nonprofit

You may be able to receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if

• you’re employed by a qualifying not-for-profit organization, and
• you have a Direct Loan.*

If You’re a Nurse, Doctor, or Other Medical Professional

You may be able to receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if

• you’re employed by a qualifying not-for-profit organization, and
• you have a Direct Loan.*

If you have a Disability

You may qualify for a total and permanent disability discharge of your federal student loans and/or your Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant* service obligation if

• you’re totally and permanently disabled, and
• you have a Direct Loan, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan, or Perkins Loan.

If You Repay Your Loans Under an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan

You may be eligible for income-driven repayment (IDR) loan forgiveness if you’ve have been in repayment for 20 or 25 years.

Browse Available options

If you are a Mental Health Professional

You may be eligible for Mental Health Forgiveness between $10,000 and $160,000 if

• you are a qualified mental health professional practicing in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA) and providing services to recipients under a medical assistance program.

If you are a Math or Science Teacher

You may be eligible for Math and Science Forgiveness up to $10,000 if

• you are a math or science teacher who has graduated with a bachelors or masters degree in math or science.

You may be eligible for Nursing Faculty Forgiveness up to $7,000 per year if

• you hold a masters or doctoral degree in nursing and serve as faculty at an eligible institution of higher education.

You may be eligible for Peace officer Forgiveness up to $4,000 per year if

• you are a full-time officer appointed on or after September 1, 2019.

You may be eligible for Physician Forgiveness starting at $30,000 if

• you are a physician practicing medicine in a Health Professional Shortage Area and you provide health care services to recipients under a medical assistance program.

You may be eligible for Nurse Forgiveness between $5,000 and $16,000 per year if

• you are a licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse, pr advanced practice registered nurse working in a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area.

You may be eligible for Teach for Texas Forgiveness up to $2,500 per year if

• you are a teacher in a field/community designated as having a critical shortage of teachers.