Federal Student Loans
Important Links:
If you have not already done so, please do the following:
1. Complete your financial aid file. You can check your financial aid status by logging into Self-Service.
2. Make sure your current Major and Educational Objective are on file at Admissions and Records. You can update your major and educational objective by submitting the Update Student Data form in the Admissions and Records forms web page.
Deadlines to submit a loan request
Fall 2023: December 01, 2023 (ATTENDING Fall only)
Spring 2024: May 10, 2024
Select 2023-24 Direct Loan Request
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
Cuyamaca College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program by
offering subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Student Loans (Direct Loans). Direct Loans
- subsidized or unsubsidized, are low-interest rate loans made to students by the
federal government.
Direct Subsidized Loan: These loans are available to students who demonstrate financial need. The federal
government pays the interest on this loan while you are in college and during deferment
periods.
Direct Unsubsidized Loan: These loans are available to all eligible students and are not based on financial
need. You are responsible for all interest payments (or capitalization of interest)
from the date the loan is disbursed.
The interest rate: The interest rate for subsidized loan is fixed at 5.50% for loans disbursed from July
1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
The loan amounts: Grade level one students (freshman) may borrow a base amount of $3,500 (subsidized
and/or unsubsidized); Grade level two students (sophomores) may borrow a base amount
of $4,500 (subsidized and/or unsubsidized) per academic year. Loan amounts for one
semester only are one-half (1/2) the maximum yearly loan amount not to exceed need
or cost of attendance.
To request a subsidized or unsubsidized loan, you must first apply for federal financial aid via the FAFSA. All first-time borrowers requesting a loan must complete ❝Loan Entrance Counseling❞.
All borrowers must complete the "Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement " before the processing of the loan. All borrowers must complete the ❝Loan Exit Counseling❞ when you cease to be enrolled, graduate or drop below 1/2 time enrollment.
The deadline to submit a Federal Direct Student Loan request is December 01, 2023 for the Fall 2023 semester, and May 10, 2024 for the Spring 2024 semester. Tuition payments will not be deferred for Federal Direct Student Loans. Funds will be disbursed a minimum of 30 days after the start of the semester for first-time borrowers.
Time Limitation on Direct Subsidized Loan Eligibility: for First Time Borrowers on or after July 1, 2013.
Payment of principal (the amount borrowed) will not be required while you are enrolled at least half-time. Regular monthly payments on the principal (the amount borrowed) will begin six months after you leave school, drop below half-time status, or graduate. The 6-month Grace Period no longer applies to the interest rate for Subsidized Stafford Direct loans. Interest on Subsidized Direct Loans begins accruing immediately when the student is no longer enrolled at least ½-time. It may take up to ten years to repay the loan(s).
Deferment is available while enrolled at least half-time (6 or more units). Once the initial grace period ends and repayment begins, deferment for resumption of study requires half-time enrollment. Units cannot be combined between two colleges for deferment purposes.
The following examples show typical monthly payments and total interest charges for 6.80% loans of varying amounts, with typical repayment periods:
| Typical Loan Repayment Plan | ||||
| Total Loan Deb | Number of Payments | Monthly Payment | Interest Charges | Total Repaid |
| $3,500 | $90 | $50 | $971 | $4,471 |
| $6,500 | $120 | $75 | $2,467 | $8,967 |
| $10,500 | $120 | $121 | $4,000 | $14,500 |
| $20,000 | $120 | $230 | $7,619 | $27,619 |
Loan Default
If you have defaulted on a student loan, you have some options. Depending on which
one you chose you may regain your eligibility for financial aid, improve your credit
and in some cases remove the default status from your credit report.
For more detailed information on all of your student loan options, including repayment and consolidation, please visit Department of Education at Student Loan web page.
*Cuyamaca College Financial Aid Office does not guarantee the accuracy of translated text through Google Translate. If the information you are translating is not clear, please return to the home page of Cuyamaca College Financial Aid and Scholarships, click "Contact Us," and call for assistance, or email your question to the appropriate Advisor. Cuyamaca College Financial Aid Office disclaims and will not accept any liability for any problems caused by the use of the Google Translate feature.
Cuyamaca College's
FY2018 Cohort Default Rate*: 10.1%
The FY2018 National Cohort Default Rate for 2-3 Year Public Institutions: 11.5%
*This is the most recent official rate through September 2021.
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