US Government Direct Lending Program

Student Eligibility:

1) US Citizens and Permanent residents of the United States enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with a course load that is considered to be at least half time by Western University standards. Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

2) Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue their annual eligibility for US Loans. 

3) Students cannot be enrolled in any course that is delivered online or through distance education while studying at Western.  If you are registered in even one course that is an online or distance studies course, you will NOT be eligible for Direct loan funding for the entire study period.   All of the courses you are registered in at Western MUST be in-person classroom interaction.  We strongly encourage all students to carefully choose their courses to ensure their enrollment meets the United States Department of Education legislation. 

4) Students must be registered in main campus courses to be eligible for Direct loan funding. Students registered in any course offered by our affiliated University colleges’ (King’s, Huron or Brescia) will not be eligible to receive Direct loan funding for the entire study period.

5) If you are participating in a formal exchange program through Western University, the following criteria must be met for funding consideration:

• you must be paying tuition to Western
• the school you are attending can't be located in the United States
• the school must participate in the Direct lending program

Please see here for a list of eligible institutions: https://finaid.org/fafsa/tiv/

6) If you have been approved by your Faculty to take courses through a Letter of Permission and you are concurrently taking courses at Western, the following criteria must be met for funding consideration:

• the school you are attending can't be located in the United States
• the school must participate in the Direct lending program

Please see here for a list of eligible institutions: https://finaid.org/fafsa/tiv/

7) Dual citizens who have the ability to apply to Title IV funding or OSAP/Other government aid may only access one program at a time. Students are not permitted to have Title IV and OSAP or other government aid in the same academic year

The following programs/affiliates are not eligible for US Department of Education funding:

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Western Continuing Studies
• Kings University College
• Brescia University College
• Huron University College

Parent PLUS loan eligibility:

To apply for and receive Parent Plus funding under the Direct Loan program, you must be the student’s biological or adoptive parent. The student must be a dependent of the parent applying.  “Dependent” means the individual is under 24 years of age, unmarried with no legal dependents at the time you apply.  In order to receive a parent PLUS loan the student must complete the FAFSA.

Step 1: Application

To apply for US Student Loans complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at the FAFSA website. The Federal School code for Western University is G08446.

Step 2: Go to studentloans.gov

On this website students/parents can:

• View their loan documents
• Complete Entrance and Exit Counseling
• Sign their Master Promissory Note
• Complete PLUS Request process
• Endorse PLUS loans

All first time borrowers of Stafford or Grad PLUS loans must complete entrance counseling before funding can be released. The U.S. Department of Education also requires all students to participate in Exit Counseling shortly before they graduate, withdraw or cease to be enrolled at least half time.

Students and parents borrowing funds through a Parent PLUS loan must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before funding can be released. The MPN must be e-signed on an annual basis when attending a post-secondary institution outside of the US.

Step 3: Forms

You will also need to complete all relevant forms and submit them to Student Financial Aid. Please include your student number and email the completed forms to contact@uwo.ca.

1. Information Form
2. Credit Balances
3. Parent PLUS funding credit balances

The Student Budget

Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The budget includes the actual cost of tuition and fees, a standard cost for rent and living costs as well as allowances for the average cost of books, supplies and/or computer, personal expenses and transportation. The budget is used to determine financial aid eligibility in each school year and are reviewed and adjusted on a yearly basis.

If your actual costs for books/supplies or transportation are significantly higher than the budget allowance, you may speak with a Financial Aid Officer directly and prepare any documentation regarding your actual costs for further consideration.

Sample Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance – Undergraduate (September – April – two terms)
Tuition and Fees	Based on program cost (see fee schedule)
Computer Allowance	$500
Books and Supplies	$1026 **
Relocation Allowance (first year only)	$1000
Return Transportation Home	$500
Living Allowance (rent, utilities, food)	$8808

**varies based on program

Cost of Attendance – Graduate  (September – December  - one term example)
Tuition and Fees	Based on program cost (see fee schedule)
Computer Allowance	$500
Books and Supplies	$1104*
Relocation Allowance (first year only)	$1000
Return Transportation Home	$250
Living Allowance (rent, utilities, food)	$5520

 *While every effort has been made to ensure the above cost of attendance is compete and accurae, Western University reserves the right to make adjustments as required.

**varies based on program

Cost of Attendance - Professional Undergraduates and Dentistry Students

Tuition fees vary based on the year you are in the program.  Please check our Fees Schedule for tuition costs related to your year.  Additional costs such as Association fees, club fees, computer costs and examination fees may be included in your total cost of attendance.

Spouse and Children:

Living costs of family members must be covered by the student and spouse and will not be included in the financial needs assessment.   Financial aid, however, can help cover reasonable child care costs for children 12 and under and younger for the period when the student is enrolled and the spouse is working outside the home or also in school full time.   If this situation is applicable please speak with a Financial Aid officer directly for review.

Single Parents:

Single parents are expected to support children through earnings, savings, child support etc.  In some cases where these funds are not available consideration may be given to include some dependent costs in the budget.  Documentation may be required to support the additional costs.

Exceptions to the Standard Budget:

Living in Residence:

Students living in residence may have higher living and food costs than associated with the standard student budget.  For those students living in residence with a meal plan we will increase your monthly living costs accordingly.  You may need to notify our office to confirm your living arrangement.

Additional Housing Allowance:

Students who pay more in rent and utility costs can request a budget increase provided documentation to validate these costs is submitted.  Additionally, the student may be asked to present a reason why less costly housing is not an option.  Determined on a case by case basis.

Transportation

Students may request exceptional expenses related to the maintenance of their vehicle.  Routine maintenance is not considered in this review.  Please contact Student Financial Aid to discuss this directly for a review.

Medical and Dental Expenses:

US Students are insured under the University Health Insurance Plan: https://westernusc.ca/services/health-plan/.    These plans do not cover all related Medical expenses.  In cases where UHIP does not cover the full cost of a medically required treatment these costs may be considered.  Cosmetic or elective procedures will not be considered.

Computer Purchase

A standard budget exists for computer related expenses (not necessarily the purchase of a computer).  Printers, software etc, may be considered additional costs for the budget.  Appropriate documentation must be submitted and reviewed as reasonable.

License and Professional Fee Expenses:

For those students who require their first professional exam or certifications, the fees will be considered as part of the budget.

Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling

All students who are borrowing a Federal Direct Loan for the first time from the University of Western Ontario must complete an online Entrance Counseling Session before any Federal Direct Loan funding can be disbursed. 

Entrance Counseling provides you (the borrower) with your rights and responsibilities before you borrow a Federal Direct Loan.  It covers information regarding the types of loans you may be eligible to receive, funding loan limits, repayment information, consequences of defaulting on your loan and also provides information concerning the use of your Master Promissory Note. 

To ensure that you are completing the application process correctly, the session is available online at studentloans.gov.

Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling

If you have received a Federal Direct Loan at The University of Western Ontario and you have:

1) Withdrawn from all classes at Western

2) You have dropped courses and are registered in less than half time and will remain registered in less than half time studies until you complete your degree

3) You are graduating from Western or in your last full time term at Western

Student Financial Aid at Western will email you directly should any of these circumstances occur in order that you complete the online Exit Counseling Session. To access the online Exit Counseling session, you will need your FAFSA PIN number. 

Exit Counseling provides you with information pertaining to your responsibilities as you start to repay your Federal Direct Loan and review your repayment options. 

You may complete your Exit Counseling online at studentloans.gov

If you require your Direct Loan funding to pay your tuition, please apply and submit all required documentation a minimum of 8 weeks prior to your tuition due date.  Students who submit a late application may be subject to late payment penalties.

Disclosure of late fees can be found under the Fees Schedule.

If you have questions about your eligibility for a tuition deferral please submit a Virtual Helpline – US Loans here: https://studentservices.uwo.ca/callBack/

After you have completed all of the steps listed under the “How to Apply” tab above, you can expect the following:

• Within 4-6 weeks of applying, you will receive an email from our office detailing your entitlement. You are required to respond to this email and either accept or decline the funding.
• If you accept the funding, you will be emailed within two weeks with details of your disbursement(s) date(s). Disbursements occur once per term of study. In the event that you are retroactively applying for funding (for example, you are applying in the winter term for both fall and winter consideration), you will only be issued one disbursement of funding.
• Funding will be deposited to your statement of account (located on the student center) up to two weeks AFTER your noted disbursement date.
• If the deposit of your loan funding results in a credit balance you will be issued a refund via direct deposit. You can expect the refund to be issued to you within 3-5 business days of the credit appearing on your account.

IMPORTANT: You must have a Canadian bank account and be enrolled in direct deposit to receive a refund.

• • Undergraduate students can enroll in direct deposit through their student center by clicking “enroll in direct deposit” on the bottom left-hand side.
  • Graduate students will be issued a refund to the account that they have set up through Human Resources. If you have not set up your banking information with Human Resources please arrange to do so immediately.

STUDENTS WITH A FUNDING DISBURSEMENT FROM A PARENT PLUS LOAN:

In order to have the credit balance that resulted from a Parent Plus loan refunded to you, the student, the following Authorization form must be completed by the parent receiving the loan.

STUDENTS REQUESTING TRANSFER OF CREDITS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS:

Credit balances on a student account can be sent to another department toward outstanding fees on your behalf.  Please complete the following Authorization form in order for this transfer to occur

STUDENTS WITH A FUNDING DISBURSEMENT FROM A PARENT PLUS LOAN:

In order to have the credit balance that resulted from a Parent Plus loan refunded to you, the student, the following Authorization form must be completed by the parent receiving the loan.

STUDENTS REQUESTING TRANSFER OF CREDITS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS:

Credit balances on a student account can be sent to another department toward outstanding fees on your behalf.  Please complete the following Authorization form in order for this transfer to occur

Please view the Western University Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Direct loan recipients.  If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the Student Financial Aid office.

If you withdraw please note the following:

1) You must notify Student Financial Aid of any course loads adjustments immediately. You can do this by submitting a Virtual Helpline – US Loans here: https://studentservices.uwo.ca/callBack/

2) Refer to the Western University Return to Title IV Funds Policy.

3) Complete exit counselling. Online exit counseling can be accessed here: https://studentaid.gov/

4) Pay any outstanding tuition and housing fees, which can be viewed on your statement of account via the student center

5) Ensure your contact information on student center is up to date

If you believe you have an exceptional circumstance that you would like to discuss with Financial Aid, please submit a Virtual Helpline – US Loans here: https://studentservices.uwo.ca/callBack/.

Reasons that may warrant a review of your situation include:

• Failure to meet academic progress requirements
• Cost of attendance
• Exceptional expenses
• Estimated family contribution
• Dependent status

To ensure your loans remain in good standing with the US Department of Education, It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities regarding loan repayment.

For more information on loan repayment, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment

To determine who your loan servicer is, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers

To view current interest rates, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates

The following provides you the consumer with further information as required by the US Department of Education. Students must have a high school diploma to be eligible for funding consideration.  Non-degree programs, as well as joint or other programs at Brescia, King's and Huron, Medicine, Nursing, Western Continuing Studies, EMBA and Executive Education programs offered through Ivey, are not eligible programs for Title IV students.

• Western University Code of Student Conduct
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WHAT EVERY STUDENT BORROWER NEEDS TO KNOW.

Before you borrow please read this. If you have already borrowed on a student loan pay particular attention to this Q&A as it will provide valuable information and hopefully keep you out of any legal issue’s concerning your student loan. This Q&A will help answer most of your questions and give you resources to assist you while in school, during a leave of absence/withdrawal and after completion of your program.