Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is available to undergraduate students and is based on demonstrated financial need.

At least halftime enrollment (6 hours for undergraduate) is required to receive a federal student loan.

As of Fall 2026, Federal Direct Student Loans for students enrolled less than full-time will be prorated based on actual enrollment. Please see Financial Aid Updates - Fall 2026 for additional details. Note: At least halftime enrollment is still required.

The annual limit cannot exceed UNT Cost of Attendance minus the other financial aid you receive.

New student loan borrowers must complete the following additional steps before their loan may be credited to their student account:

Complete loan entrance counseling at Entrance Counseling | Federal Student Aid.
Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at Completing a Master Promissory Note | Federal Student Aid.

The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan:

while you are in school at least half-time,
for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period), and
during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).

Each Federal Direct Loan borrower at UNT is required to complete Student Exit Counseling shortly before completing a degree, leaving UNT (i.e., withdrawing, graduation) or ceasing half-time enrollment. Details regarding Federal Direct Loan repayment plans can be found at Repayment Plans | Federal Student Aid.

Additional info from StudentAid.gov

Loan FAQs

You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Monitor your MyUNT To Do List for updates and requirements. Once you are awarded, you must accept your loan awards via MyUNT.

Yes. This can be done on StudentAid.gov. You will need your FSA ID and enter University of North Texas as a school to receive the results.

Yes. You will receive correspondence and payment information from both the Department of Education and your prior lender or servicer.

More information can be found on Direct Loan Deferment and Forbearance.

More information can be found on Direct Loan Consolidation.

Loan borrowers are required to complete Student Exit Counseling shortly before completing a degree, leaving UNT (i.e., withdrawing, graduation) or ceasing half-time enrollment. Be sure to select the University of North Texas as a school to receive notification of completion.

For undergraduate students only, you and your parents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once the parent loan is awarded and accepted, the parent borrower must log onto StudentAid.gov to submit the Direct Parent PLUS Request.

The Department of Education will run a credit history check to determine eligibility for a Federal Direct PLUS loan. The department will provide additional information to parents about other options (i.e. pursue a co-signer/endorser or appeal the denial) if there is adverse credit history. UNT will process all denials received, regardless of which option is chosen. The PLUS Denial - Additional Unsubsidized Loan Request Form will be added to the student's To Do List via MyUNT once the denial has been processed.

The Master Promissory Note is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the Department. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).

An origination fee is used by the federal government to offset the administrative costs of the loan. Origination fees are charged as the loan is disbursed.

The interest rates for federal student loans can be found at Federal Student Aid.

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