Close
We begin processing loans for the new academic year in May. The loan approval process can take up to 3 weeks, or longer if there are difficulties with your application.
We will be able to start processing your loan after all the steps below have been completed.
1. Check your eligibility
Read the Terms & Conditions tab to ensure you and your course are eligible.
2. Complete Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
You will need to complete the FAFSA, which can be done online through the FAFSA website. You will need UCL’s Federal School Code G06695 (or 00669500) to complete the application. After the U.S. Department of Education processes your FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). Please retain the FSS for your records and be prepared to provide it to us if we ask.
3. Complete your PLUS loan application (if applicable)
If you are intending to apply for a PLUS loan in addition to the Subsidized and/or Unsubsidised loan, you will need to complete a separate application through Student Aid's website.
4. Complete your Master Promissory Notes
Each year a Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be completed for the Direct Subsidised/Unsubsidised Loan and another separate MPN for the Direct PLUS Loan. MPNs completed for other schools and previous school years are invalid. Please complete the MPN(s) electronically via the Student Aid website.
5. Entrance Counseling
You must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling the first time you take out a Direct Loan at a new institution. You can complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically via the Student Aid website.
6. Complete UCL's Cost of Attendance sheet
When we receive your FAFSA Submission Summary, we will contact you to complete a Cost of Attendance calculator form, or you can send it to us at us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk in advance:
7. Wait for a loan approval email from UCL
After we receive your Cost of Attendance sheet, we will check that you have completed all prior steps and contact you by email confirming the loans available to you. We will then, if you request it, issue you with a Notification of Student Loans letter, which has been approved by the UK Border Agency as proof of student funding for visa purposes. You may wish to check with the UK Border Agency whether you are a "low risk" applicant and so may not be required to provide evidence of adequate funding on applying for your visa.