UBC is an approved Title IV institution, which means that UBC students from the US can access Direct Loans.
However, because UBC is considered a foreign school, students are not eligible for Pell Grants and Perkins Loans.
At UBC, the FAFSA Direct Loan program includes Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans, as well as Parent and Grad Plus loans.
Students may receive either Direct Subsidized and/or Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Maximum funding amounts depend on whether you're considered to be a dependent or independent student.
Are based on financial need.
Financial need is determined by the Expected Family Contribution from your FAFSA report.
The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan while you are in school at least half-time and throughout your grace period.
For study periods beginning after July 1, 2012, graduate students are no longer eligible for Direct Subsidized loan funding.
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Automatic deferrals: If you apply for Direct Loans at least 4 weeks before the start of school and are eligible for funding to pay your tuition and fees, you will automatically be granted a tuition deferral. Eligible graduate and undergraduate students will have fees deferred for one month after the tuition fee deadline in September or January. Deferrals don't apply to registration deposits.
Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS loans both require a credit check by the US Federal Government. Interest is charged on the dates the funds are provided. PLUS loans have a higher interest rate than Direct Loans and interest accrues during your course of study.
Parent Plus loans can help parents pay the educational expenses of dependent children studying at the undergraduate level. Financial need, as indicated in The Expected Family Contribution from your FAFSA report, does not factor into eligibility for a Plus Loan.
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Graduate Plus loans are a good option for graduate students if they are applying for maximum Direct Unsubsidized funding, have reached their annual limit of $20,500, and/or have reached their lifetime limit and require further financial aid.
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UBC can provide Direct Loan funding to students who meet the basic eligibility requirements. If you're a dual Canadian/American citizen, you may also be eligible to apply for Canada Student Loans through your home province. The exception to this is if you have any residency affiliation, through you or your parents, to the province of Ontario. In this situation, please contact your Enrolment Services Advisor for more information.
In addition to your personal eligibility requirements, there are additional program requirements that you must meet in order to receive (and maintain) your loan funding while at UBC:
You must:
*If you're considering going on Co-op or Exchange in the US, please connect with an Enrolment Services Professional to understand how this will affect your future Direct Loan eligibility. Co-ops and exchanges in the US are not eligible for the Direct Loan program and you may need to apply for Sallie Mae Smart Option loans.
You must:
*If you're considering going on Co-op or Exchange in the US, please connect with an Enrolment Services Professional to understand how this will affect your future Direct Loan eligibility. Co-ops and exchanges in the US are not eligible for the Direct Loan program and you may need to apply for Sallie Mae Smart Option loans.
For further information, visit the US Loans FAQ page.
If you take any Distance Education and/or an online course as a part of a credential, you will be ineligible for US Direct Loan funding for the duration of your program.
You can apply for a Direct Loan and submit a US Loan Request form anytime up to 2 weeks before the end of your study session. However, if you want to make sure your funding is available for the start of the term*, you have to apply early.
We recommend that you apply for your loan at least 4 weeks before the start of the term. If you follow this suggested timeline, you will qualify for a one-month tuition deferral and you will usually receive your funding in the first week of school.
If you apply after the suggested 4 week timeline you will not qualify for a tuition deferral, and your fee must be paid in full by the payment due date. Any late payment may result in a financial hold being applied to your tuition account. Visit Paying tuition for details.
*If you are applying for funding for both tuition and living costs we recommend that you set up direct deposit on your Student Service Centre. This feature requires a Canadian bank account, but will allow the loan amount that exceeds your tuition fees to be deposited directly into your bank account.
| October | FAFSA opens for next academic year |
|---|---|
| June - July | Winter Session Registration opens |
| UBC starts to process Winter Session US loan applications — you must be registered to receive an assessment letter | |
| August | Tuition deferrals are applied for students who submitted a complete US loan application at least 4 weeks before the start of school |
| September |
First week of Term 1 classes |
| First loan disbursement for the Winter Session appears on Student Service Centre (SSC) | |
| January |
First week of Term 2 classes |
| Second loan disbursement for Winter Session appears on Student Service Centre (SSC) |
| March |
Summer Session Registration opens |
|---|---|
| April | Tuition deferrals are applied for students who submitted a complete US loan application at least 4 weeks before the start of school |
| May | First week of summer session term 1 |
| Summer Session loan disbursement appears on Student Service Centre (SSC) | |
| July | First week of summer session term 2 |
If you want to know what you may be eligible for in financial aid for the upcoming session, you can request a financial aid estimate. This is a good option to help you plan in advance, as your assessment letter won't be available until 2-3 months before the session starts.
If you would like an estimate outside of the upcoming session, please email usloans.inquiry@ubc.ca.
Applying for a US loan at UBC is different than for students attending school in the US.
When you complete your FAFSA online, the Department of Education will indicate that they'll notify your university of your application. As a foreign school, UBC does not receive these notifications.
UBC will not be aware of your FAFSA application until we receive your submission through the US Loan Request Form below.
Submit your application to Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
UBC's school code: G08369
UBC is not notified when you submit your FAFSA application. Please email usloans.inquiry@ubc.ca when you make changes to your FAFSA application.
Submit your UBC application through the Online US Loan Request Form
If you are going to apply for Plus Loans, complete your application at studentloans.gov. There are separate tabs for Graduate students and Parents.
If you are applying for Parent Plus funding, have your parent(s) complete the Agreement to Release Funds form.
Fill out a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentloans.gov for each type of loan you wish to receive. There are separate MPNs for Direct Subsidized/Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Parent/Grad Plus Loans.
If this is your first Direct Loans application at UBC, complete an Entrance Counselling session at studentloans.gov.
Verify your email information: Log in to the Student Service Centre (SSC) account and make sure UBC has your current email address by selecting Personal Info > Contact Summary. All US loan updates and information will be emailed to you at this email address.
Find out more about how your funding amount is assessed. If you have questions about your funding eligibility or assessment, please contact an Enrolment Services Advisor.
Co-op is a great way to gain work experience as you study. Most co-op courses arranged through your undergraduate program are eligible for direct loan funding.
If you're considering doing your Co-op in the US, please connect with an Enrolment Services Advisor first to fully understand the financial implications for your future Direct Loan eligibility. Co-op terms in the US are not eligible for the Direct Loan program and you'll become ineligible for future direct loan funding.
Graduate students should check with an ES Advisor to confirm if their co-op is eligible.
Go Global offers many opportunities for students to spend a term or entire year studying abroad.
If you're eligible for US loans and considering going on exchange, contact an advisor first to fully understand the financial implications for your future Direct Loan eligibility. Make sure to check the US Federal School Code Search (under Foreign Country) to confirm that your partner university is also eligible to provide Title IV funds.
Find your advisor's contact information on the Student Service Centre (SSC) under Personal Info > UBC Contacts
Telephone: 604 822 9836
Toll-free: 1 877 272 1422
Web: UBC VancouverUBC OkanaganDon't have an advisor?Prospective students
