Office of Financial Assistance

Please select one of the topics below or scroll down to find the information you need.

 

Loan Resource Center Low Interest/No Interest Private Loans B-on-Time Loans
Loan Assistance Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Alternative Loans
Borrowing Responsibly Federal Gradate PLUS Loan Stafford Entrance Counseling
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan

State Alternative Loan

Stafford Exit Counseling
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Federal Perkins Loan Repaying Your Student Loans
Stafford Loan Limits Ralston and Nursing Loans Special Programs for Loan Repayment

 

Loan Resource Center

Do you already have college loans and want more information on how to manage them effectively? The National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project is a free resource for borrowers, their families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers. If you already have student loans and want to know more about your options and rights, visit the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Site.

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Loan Assistance

Loans are an option for you and/or your parents when other financial resources are not enough to cover your entire cost of education.  It's important to know about the different types of loans that are available to make an informed decision about what will be best to help you and/or your family cover the cost of attending the University of the Incarnate Word.

Please research your loan options carefully before making a choice of a loan program to pursue, and remember - we are here to help you in any way we can.  If you would like us to look over a loan application before it's submitted, or before you sign the promissory note, to make sure you understand what you are signing, please contact us or stop by our office.

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Borrowing Responsibly

The UIW Office of Financial Assistance recommends that you utilize loan options in the following order, depending upon eligibility for the loan and funding availability (click on the links below to see full program descriptions):

1. Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans (limits)

2. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (limits)

3. Low Interest/Zero Interest Loans (from private foundations/trusts)

4. Federal Parent PLUS or Graduate PLUS Loans or State Alternative Loan (College Access Loan)

5. Federal Perkins Loans

6. Texas B-on-Time Loan (renewal students only)

7. Alternative Loans

8. Lender List for Stafford Loans and Private Loans.

After you've reviewed the various loan options, we suggest you take a look at Borrowing Responsibly - an online workshop for new borrowers.  Students taking out Stafford loans for the first time with UIW will need to complete the Stafford Entrance Counseling requirement; and graduating students will need to complete the Stafford Exit Counseling requirements.  New graduates should also review the various Loan Repayment Programs that are available to assist in paying off student loans.

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Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan

Subsidized Stafford Loans are made available to students through a partnership arrangement involving schools, lenders, guarantors, and the federal and state governments.

*Interest rates will drop to 5.6% on loans with a first disbursement after July 1, 2009 and for the 2009-2010 academic year. Rates will continue to change yearly for new loans made on or after July 1 of each year based on Federal Legislation.

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Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan:

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are made available to students through a partnership arrangement involving schools, lenders, guarantors, and the federal and state governments.

*The interest rate will NOT drop for Unsubsidized Stafford Loans -- only Subsidized loans were affected by Federal legislation for the 2008-09 academic year.  The interest rate, however, may change (higher or lower) dependent upon further legislation; and will be updated when/if information is made available by the Department of Education.

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Stafford Loan Limits

Annual Borrower Limits

Borrower's Grade Level

Dependent Students *
Subsidized + Unsubsidized

Independent Students **
Subsidized + Unsubsidized

Freshman (0-31 credits)

$5,500 (not to exceed $3,500 from Subsidized funds)

$9,500 (not to exceed $3,500 from Subsidized funds)

Sophomore (32-63 credits)

$6,500 (not to exceed $4,500 from Subsidized funds)

$10,500 (not to exceed $4,500 from Subsidized funds)

Junior and Senior (64+)

$7,500 (not to exceed $5,500 from Subsidized funds)

$12,500 (not to exceed $5,500 from Subsidized funds)

Graduate Students (Master's and Ph.D. programs)

n/a

$20,500 (not to exceed $8,500 from Subsidized funds)

Professional Students in the School of Optometry
n/a $40,500 (not to exceed $8,500 from Subsidized funds)
Professional Students in the School of Pharmacy
n/a $33,000 (not to exceed $8,500 from Subsidized funds)

*For dependent students whose parents cannot borrow under the Federal PLUS Program, the amount a student can borrow under the unsubsidized program is the same as for an independent student.

**Independent students who are not eligible for a full subsidized federal Stafford loan may borrow their remaining subsidized eligibility under the unsubsidized program.

 

The maximum outstanding total Stafford loan debt allowed is:

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Low Interest/Zero Interest Loans through Private Foundations/Trusts

American Pharmaceutical Association Auxiliary (Irene A. Parks Loan Fund)

Attn:  Peggy Gawronski

305 W. Old Middle Creek

Prestonburg, Kentucky 41653

(606) 886-0249

The Nettie Mae Millhollon Educational Trust

P.O. Box 643

Stanton, Texas 79782

(432) 756-2261

millhollon@millhollon.com

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The Bill Raskob Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 507

Crownsville, Maryland  21032-0507

(410) 923-9123

ed@billraskob.org

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The Evaee c. Scwarz Charitable Trust

4265 San Felipe, Ste. 1100

Houston, TX 77027-2913

(713) 960-6616

pfs@privatefoundationservices.com

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The Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation

c/o The Frost Bank - Trust Department

PO Box 8210

Galveston, Texas 77553-8210

(409) 770-5665

Class Ranking Minimum SAT Minimum ACT
Top 10% of Class any score any score
Top 15% of Class 1500 22
Second Quarter 1650 25
Third & Fourth Quarter 1800 27

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PEO International

Adrienne Russell

arussell@sunshinecottage.org

peointernational.org

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The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation

1250 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. 810

San Antonio, Texas 78209-1539

mspf@mspf.org

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The Hattie M. Strong Foundation

1620 Eye Street, N.W., Ste. 700
Washington, DC. 20006-4005

(202) 331-1619

hmsf@hmstrongfoundation.org

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Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student (PLUS):

How do you apply?
Parents can apply for a PLUS loan online using Loans by Web by logging in, clicking on "Complete a Loan Award" and choosing "Option 2 - Complete a loan request."  The parent borrower must consent to a credit check (which will be conducted by the lender) as part of the application process.

Before Applying
Please have the following information available:

Lender Choice
You will be asked to pick a lender to fund your PLUS loan. Some lenders offer borrowing incentives, such as rebates on the principal loan balance or opportunities for interest rate reductions. Visit your preferred lender's website for more information.  You are not restricted by any lender list or guarantor agency choice.  The Office of Financial Assistance will not refuse to certify a loan through any lender chosen by the parent.  You may review our list of lenders here:  LENDER LIST.

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Federal Graduate PLUS Loan:

How do you apply?
Students can apply for a Grad. PLUS loan online using Loans by Web . The student borrower must consent to a credit check (which will be conducted by the lender) as part of the application process.

Before Applying
Please have the following information available:

Lender Choice
You will be asked to pick a lender to fund your Grad. PLUS loan. Some lenders offer borrowing incentives, such as rebates on the principal loan balance or opportunities for interest rate reductions. Visit your preferred lender's website for more information.  You are not restricted by any lender list or guarantor agency choice.  The Office of Financial Assistance will not refuse to certify a loan through any lender chosen by the student.  You may review our list of lenders here:  LENDER LIST.

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State Alternative Loan (College Access Loan)

 

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Federal Perkins Loan

There is a small amount of campus loan funding available to students with no other option. Funding is limited and students must demonstrate need based on FAFSA results to be considered. Since funding is limited, students on the waiting list are not guaranteed assistance through these loan programs. In addition, these funds are for billed expenses only and can not to be used as a refund.

To be considered you must:

Federal Perkins Loan Information:

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Federal Nursing and Ralston Loans  

Students accepted into the UIW School of Nursing may apply for these need-based loans. Loan amounts will range from $2500-$4000. Funding is limited, and priority will be given to students that are enrolled full-time in the nursing program.

You may contact the OFA at finaid@uiwtx.edu or (210) 829-6008 to see if you are eligible.

Federal Nursing and Ralston Loan Information:

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B on Time Loan 

The State of Texas is providing limited funding for new B-on-Time Loans for 2009-10.  In order to qualify, students must:

If you are interested in this loan, contact Cristen Alicea at gimenez@uiwtx.edu or call 210-805-1238.

If you're graduating and will qualify to have this loan forgiven, download and complete the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's B-on-Time Loan Forgiveness Verification Worksheet.

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Alternative Loans

If you need additional funds to meet your education costs, alternative loans may be an option for you.  Alternative loans are private loans made through private lending institutions (banks, credit unions or other, private educational lenders). These loans are not part of the federal government loan programs – they are credit-based and may require a cosigner. Alternative loans are generally more expensive than federal government guaranteed loans and should only be used when all other options have been exhausted.

Research all possibilities for scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal loan programs before borrowing from an alternative loan program. If you determine you need an alternative loan, research lenders carefully before making a decision.  Interest rates will vary based upon lender and credit eligibility. Students who qualify without a cosigner may still want to add a cosigner to their loan in order to secure a lower interest rate and/or lower origination fees. School-certified alternative loans will usually have better interest and repayment terms than non-school-certified loans.

You are not required to use the lenders on the UIW lender list. Lender choice is up to you. Some lenders offer borrowing incentives, such as rebates on the principal loan balance or opportunities for interest rate reductions. Visit your lender's website for more information. Choose the loan that best suits your needs and remember to borrow only what you need.

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Stafford Entrance Loan Counseling

We require all students that receive loans to complete the Entrance Loan Counseling Session. This on-line loan counseling session is designed to help the borrower understand his/her rights and responsibilities as they pertain to loan borrowing.  The Stafford Entrance Loan Counseling session must be completed before any loan funds may be disbursed to the student’s account.

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Stafford Exit Loan Counseling

Stafford Exit Loan counseling is required for all graduating students that have received loan funds while attending UIW.  A hold will be placed on the student’s graduation if this requirement is not satisfied.

The Office of Financial Assistance at UIW will receive e-mail confirmation once you complete the session.

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Repaying Your Student Loans

Any funds you borrow must be repaid.  Repayment terms vary depending on the type of loan the student has; and the terms the student agreed upon at the time the loan was initiated.  In general, students who have federal loans (Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Nursing Loans Ralston Loans or Graduate PLUS Loans) and parents who have federal loans (PLUS Loans) will enter a repayment status at the point either (a) the student's enrollment drops below half-time in any given semester, (b) the student leaves school, or (c) the student graduates. 

Deferment or forbearance options for federal loans may be available depending on the student's or parent's individual circumstances and the terms of the loan.  To find out if you qualify, contact your lender.  If you need contact information or if you are uncertain who currently holds your loans, you can obtain this information from the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

**You will need your FAFSA PIN to log into the NSLDS site.  If you have misplaced your PIN, you can obtain a duplicate PIN by going to http://www.pin.ed.gov.)

Students and parents who have private loans, regardless of source, should visit with their lender regarding specific repayment requirements; and additional options (such as deferment or forbearance) if payment cannot be made at the time it is due.

If you want to learn more about your options and rights, visit the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Site

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Loan Repayment Programs

Loan Repayment Programs (LRP's) are programs sponsored by national, state and local governments, and some private organizations, where professionals (teachers, nurses, etc.) are recruited to practice in designated professional shortage areas. Participants may be provided with living stipends and funds to repay educational loans. Most contracts require a 2 to 4 year commitment, but individual program information should be consulted. Benefits may also include tax relief, scholarship opportunities and in the case of the military programs, enlistment as an officer in the Armed Forces.

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