Student Loans
As a GCU student, you have a few loan programs available to help cover the cost of your education. Federal loans generally carry lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms than private loans, so it's worth understanding your federal options first.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans — Undergraduate
Low-interest loans administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Before your loan disburses, you must complete Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
There are two types:
Subsidized — Awarded based on financial need. The federal government pays the interest while you're enrolled at least half-time, during your grace period, and during any deferment. You generally cannot receive subsidized loans for more than 150% of your program's published length.
Unsubsidized — Available to students who don't qualify for a subsidized loan, or who qualify for only a partial amount. You're responsible for all interest that accrues, starting from disbursement — though you can choose to make interest payments while enrolled, or let interest accrue and be added to your principal later.
How much can you borrow? It depends on your year in school, your dependency status, and financial need:
| Year in School | Dependent Student (Total) | Independent Student (Total) |
|---|---|---|
| First year | $5,500 (up to $3,500 subsidized) | $9,500 (up to $3,500 subsidized) |
| Second year | $6,500 (up to $4,500 subsidized) | $10,500 (up to $4,500 subsidized) |
| Third year and beyond | $7,500 (up to $5,500 subsidized) | $12,500 (up to $5,500 subsidized) |
You can't borrow more than your cost of attendance, minus any Pell Grant and other aid you're receiving — so your actual eligibility may be less than the maximum shown above.
Lifetime aggregate limits:
- Dependent undergraduate student: $31,000 total (no more than $23,000 subsidized)
- Independent undergraduate student: $57,500 total (no more than $23,000 subsidized)
Federal Direct Stafford Loans — Graduate
Graduate Stafford Loans are unsubsidized only — you're responsible for all accruing interest.
Important: federal graduate loan limits changed as of July 1, 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). For most graduate programs (master's-level, including GCU's programs), the annual limit is $20,500 per year, with a $100,000 aggregate limit for graduate borrowing. Combined with any undergraduate Stafford borrowing, your total lifetime federal loan limit is $257,500.
To be eligible for federal Stafford Loans, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be enrolled at least half-time
- Be pursuing a degree or certificate
- File the FAFSA
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan — Important Change
As of July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS Loan program has been discontinued for new borrowers, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). If you're a new graduate student who has not previously borrowed a Grad PLUS or other federal Direct Loan for your current program, this loan is no longer available to you — your federal borrowing options are limited to the Direct Stafford Loan amounts described above.
If you already had a Direct Loan (Grad PLUS or otherwise) disbursed for your current program before July 1, 2026, you may be grandfathered into the previous Grad PLUS rules for up to three additional academic years, or until you complete your current program — whichever comes first. If you change programs, withdraw, or complete your program, this grandfathering ends and the new rules apply going forward.
Given this change, graduate students should plan early: explore Graduate Assistantships, scholarships, and grants first, and treat federal Stafford loans as your primary federal borrowing option. Private/alternative loans (see below) may be necessary to cover any remaining gap.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid to understand exactly where you stand under these new rules.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan — Important Change
As of July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS Loans are capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 total (lifetime) per child, also under the OBBBA — a significant change from the previous rule, which allowed parents to borrow up to the student's full cost of attendance. This cap applies across all parents borrowing on a student's behalf; a family cannot exceed $20,000/year or $65,000 lifetime per child regardless of how many parents contribute.
Like the Grad PLUS Loan, Parent PLUS is credit-based.
Private & Alternative Loans
If federal aid and scholarships don't fully cover your costs, private (alternative) loans from banks and other lenders can help fill the gap. These loans aren't based on financial need, typically require a credit check (or a creditworthy cosigner), and generally carry less favorable terms than federal loans — consider them only after you've explored every federal option first.
Financial Aid Staff
-
Manisha Anand 732-987-2274
Title: Assistant Director of Financial Aid
- [email protected]
- Scully Registration and Finance Center
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Bernard Gajano 732-987-2230
Title: Director of Financial Aid
- [email protected]
- Scully Registration and Finance Center
-
Edward Machnicki 732-987-2257
Title: Senior Financial Aid Counselor
- [email protected]
- Scully Registration and Finance Center
-
Austin Whitehurst 732-987-2746
Title: Financial Aid Counselor
- [email protected]
- Scully Registration and Finance Center
