Federal Direct Loan
Federal Direct Loans are Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans that eligible students may borrow from the US Department of Education to help cover the cost of your education.
The maximum amount per year of the Federal Direct loan is determined by your grade level and FAFSA dependency status.
| First Year | $5,500; up to $3,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
| Sophomore | $6,500; up to $4,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
| Junior | $7,500; up to $5,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
| Senior | $7,500; up to $5,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
Classification and Direct Student Loan amounts for Independent (as determined by FAFSA) students:
| First Year | $9,500; up to $3,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
| Sophomore | $10,500; up to $4,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
| Junior | $12,500; up to $5,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
| Senior | $12,500; up to $5,500 may be subsidized dependent on financial need as determined by FAFSA |
Students with a change in classification during the academic year may contact the financial aid office to determine eligibility for additional Direct Student loan funds based on their new classification.
Students whose parent(s) do not qualify for a PLUS loan may be eligible for an additional $4,000 (first year and sophomore) or $5,000 (junior and senior) in unsubsidized Direct Student loan.
- Subsidized Federal Direct Loans do not accrue interest while in school.
- Repayment begins after you stop attending school or graduate.
- You can choose to make interest payments on Unsubsidized loans while attending TCU.
| First disbursed on or after July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024 | 5.50% |
| First disbursed on or after July 1, 2022, and before July 1, 2023 | 4.99% |
| First disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2020 | 1.057% |
Borrowers must complete the required Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) online.
Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note Instructions
Visit studentaid.gov
1. Select the In School tab
- Under Popular Topics choose "Complete a Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note/MPN)"
2. Choose the Direct Loan MPN you are required to complete. For incoming and returning undergraduates choose, "I'm an Undergraduate Student" and Log in to Start.
- To log in, use student FSA ID and password assigned when FAFSA was completed.
- If you do not have an FSA ID, choose "Create an Account" and follow the directions.
- DO NOT sign in with the parents' username and password. The Direct Student Loan will not fund with the parent showing as the borrower.
- Answer each section.
- Select Texas Christian University in the school section.
- Submit
3. First time borrowers are required to complete Loan Entrance Counseling.
- Go back to the In School tab
- Choose "Complete Loan Entrance Counseling"
- Choose your student level.
- If you have logged out, log back in using your student FSA ID and password.
- Answer each question.
- Submit.
Watch your TCU email account for important financial aid notifications.
If you are a graduate student and plan to borrow a Direct Unsubsidized Loan and/or a Federal Graduate PLUS loan, please review the Graduate/Professional Student loan and the Federal Graduate PLUS loan information.