Graduate Student Loans

Graduate Student Loans

Graduate students who are matriculated in a degree or certification program may be eligible for federal loans. To be eligible for a Direct Federal Student Loan, a graduate student must either be matriculated in a degree program or enrolled in a certificate program by the first day of the term in which they intend to use their student aid, and must be enrolled for at least six credits. In addition, a student seeking a Direct Federal Loan for a summer term must have received such student aid in either the prior spring or fall term. They must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for Direct Stafford Loans.

In addition to completing the FAFSA for the appropriate year, the student must:

  1. Enroll as a matriculated student in a degree or certification program on at least a half-time basis (a minimum of six credits in the fall, six credits in the spring and a minimum of six credits between Summer I and Summer II)
  2. Maintain satisfactory progress toward the completion of a degree or certification program
  3. Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, or eligible non-citizen
  4. Not be in default of any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the Perkins Loan Program, the Stafford Student Loan Program, the Direct Federal Student Loan Program, or the PLUS/SLS Program
  5. Not owe a refund on a previous Pell or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
  6. Show need of financial assistance as demonstrated in the completed Financial Aid Application
  7. Meet all other requirements of the federal financial aid programs

Non-matriculated students are not eligible to receive federal or state financial aid or loans, but may apply for certain private education student loans. Please feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional information at 201-200-3173 or finaid@njcu.edu.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program enables graduate students to borrow long-term, low-interest loans to finance their education. The Borrower is responsible for all interest, must be enrolled at least half-time (5 credits) a semester, and financial need is not required to receive the loan.

A graduate student may borrow up $20,500 annually in an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, depending on the cost of education. Visit for the latest information on interest rates.