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The regulations below apply to the US Direct Loan program at UCL
Programmes ineligible for US federal loans
Most degree programmes at UCL are eligible for Direct Loans, however, some are not.
Ineligible programmes include:
- all non-degree programmes (e.g. Graduate Diploma, PGCE)
- Foundation courses, including the UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate
- programmes with any element of distance learning
- programmes based in the UCL Medical School
- programmes based at UCL East or Here East*
- programmes which include an internship period that is not an assessed, credited and/or compulsory part of the programme
- most programmes with a taught element offered at non-UCL sites (e.g. Anna Freud centre)
- some programmes involving study outside the UK for a portion of the programme (e.g. study abroad year as part of an undergraduate programme) - check with UCL Student Funding Office
* UCL is working to make UCL East and Here East programmes eligible for Direct loans for 2024/25, but we are unable to provide a timeline for this nor provide guarantees
A list of currently ineligible courses can be found in the document below:
Please note that this list is continually updated, and that if your programme is not on this list, but falls into one of the ineligible categories above, you will be ineligible for loans. If you would like to discuss your programme, please email us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk.
Study in the US
Any student on a programme based in the US will not be eligible for Direct Loans, unless the total number of credits taken in the US is no more than 25% of the total programme credits.
Graduate research (PhD) students on study leave based in the US may be eligible for Direct Loans if the duration is no more than 25% of the total programme. PhD students can spend a year in the US whilst in CRS (i.e. writing up), provided they have not previously carried out any study in the US.
Distance learning
Students on a course which has any element offered as "distance learning" will not be eligible to receive federal loans or Veterans Affairs benefits (i.e. G.I. Bill). Examples of distance learning are where your enrolment status is "Distance learning", "Non-resident" or "Mixed Mode".
Study at another institution
If your programme at UCL includes more than 25% of study at an institution outside UCL which is not certified by the US Department of Education to offer Direct Loans your entire programme is ineligible for Direct Loans. Examples of courses that may be ineligible for funding:
- MSc Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice
- MPlan City Planning
- IMESS: International Masters in Economy, State & Society (depending on where you spend your year abroad)
Course Duration
Undergraduate students must complete their programme within a time frame of no longer than 150% of the published length of the course, and postgraduate students within a timeframe in accordance with UCL’s Academic regulations. We will be unable to certify a loan for a longer period, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Review
You must be in good standing and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) each payment period according to UCL's Academic Regulations. A Satisfactory Academic Progress review form must be completed and returned by your academic tutor at the end of each payment period. The UCL SAP Policy is available below:
Changes to Enrolment Status
If there are any changes to your enrolment status (e.g. if you withdraw or interrupt) you must immediately inform the UCL Student Funding Office directly. This will affect your loan eligibility and we will need to re-calculate your Cost of Attendance based on your new student status. If you withdraw early from your programme you must complete exit counseling and any unearned funding must be returned to the U.S. Department of Education according to their guidelines. The policy on returning US loan funds is available here.
If you interrupt for more than 180 days we must report you as being withdrawn for US Loans purposes. If you subsequently return to your course, your loan can be reinstated from that point.
Additional Funding
Students are required to inform the UCL Student Funding Office of any additional institutional funding (expected or received) before and after their student loan entitlement is calculated. This includes scholarships, grants or bursaries but excludes your own funds or gifts/loans from family. Please email us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk with any such information.
Borrowers' Right to Cancel
Students will be notified by email around 30 days before each loan disbursement is requested, and will have 14 days to change/cancel any expected loan disbursements. After this period has expired students will be responsible for returning any unwanted funds directly to either the US Department of Education or the Loan Servicer.
Other:
- Subsidised and Unsubsidised Direct loans are subject to lifetime limits. Taking out a Direct loan now may impact your eligibility for taking out loans in the future. Visit the Student Aid Website for more information about lifetime limits.
- It is important that you understand your loan repayment obligations. Please visit the Student Aid Webpage on Repayment Plans for more information.
- Direct loans are subject to interest charges. Visit the Student Aid Webpage on Interest Rates for further information.
- Most students complete their studies on a full-time basis, but some are able to switch to half-time. Half-time enrolment means you are studying at a rate that will result in a completion of the degree in twice the time of a full-time enrolee. You will still be able to receive direct loans (pro rata), and remain in deferment on previous loans - however, dropping below half-time enrolment means you will no longer be eligible for further loans or continued deferment of previous loans.
- It is important that you contact the UCL Student Funding team at us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk if you are considering withdrawing from your studies or changing your course/study mode.
If you have any questions about any of the above, you can contact us at us-cdn-loans@ucl.ac.uk