Helping graduate students pay for college
Graduate loan applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those applications submitted by May 1 for fall/spring or March 1 for summer financial aid. Once you have a financial aid award available, you may view it on Self-Service. Students must reapply for financial aid each year. The priority date for summer applications is March 1. The priority date for fall/spring applications is May 1.
Students who apply for loans late may need to pay for tuition temporarily (i.e., credit card) until the loan is processed. Students may then request a refund check from the Student Accounts Office after the loan has been applied to his/her account and after attending the first class session.
To estimate repayment amounts for your loans, go to the Federal Student Aid Repayment Estimator
How To Apply
Step 1.
Be accepted for admission to a degree-granting or licensure program and intend to enroll at least half-time. Note: Graduate Licensure Students (superintendent, principal, school nurse or other administrative licensure) are eligible for private education loans only. For more private loan information, follow the “Additional Loan Resources” at the bottom of this page.
Step 2.
Complete the appropriate Ashland University Financial Aid Application(s) below. The summer application should be submitted by March 1 prior to summer. Fall/spring applications should be submitted by May 1 prior to fall.
- 2021 Summer Financial Aid Application (submit only if attending in the Summer term and you need financial aid)
- 2021-22 Fall/Spring Financial Aid Application (Graduate/Seminary/Bachelor's Plus)
- Note: Graduate Licensure Students (superintendent, principal, school nurse or other administrative licensure) are eligible for private education loans only. Do not complete either of these applications.
Step 3.
File a FAFSA with Ashland University’s school code of 003012
Step 4.
For new Federal Direct Loan borrowers, complete Direct Loan Master Promissory Note for your “Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan.” Log in with your FAFSA PIN to proceed.
Step 5.
If you do not have outstanding Federal Direct Loans, complete Loan Entrance Counseling.
Additional Loan Resources
If you need funding in addition to or do not qualify for Federal Direct Loans, you can apply for one of the following. NOTE: Approval for these additional loan resources is credit-based.
Private Education Alternative Loan
You will need to choose a lender and apply with that lender for the loan. Ashland University has provided a Private Loan Comparison List through FASTChoice for your review, but you may select any lender you wish.You are not required to choose a lender from the list and are encouraged to apply with other lenders if you would like.
Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
Master’s and Doctoral degree-seeking students who have exhausted their Federal Direct Loan eligibility and still have room to borrow up to the cost of attendance may apply for a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan. To apply, follow these steps at studentaid.gov after "Signing In" with your FSAID:
- Every year, click the drop-down that says "Apply for Aid," and choose "Apply for a Grad PLUS Loan" to request the dollar amount of your loan and have a credit check completed. Remember to factor in the loan fee the government deducts from your loan when requesting the amount. To view the current fee percentage, click here.
- For new Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers, also click the drop-down that says "Complete Aid Process," and choose "MPN for Graduate/Professional Students" at studentaid.gov and "Complete Loan Entrance Counseling."
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Parents of dependent Bachelor’s Plus students who have exhausted their Federal Direct Loan eligibility and who are enrolled at least half-time may apply for a Federal Parent PLUS Loan. To apply, follow these steps at studentaid.gov after "Signing In" with your FSAID:
- Every year, click the drop-down that says "Apply for Aid," and choose "Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan" to request the dollar amount of your loan and have a credit check completed. Remember to factor in the loan fee the government deducts from your loan when requesting the amount. To view the current fee percentage, click here.
- For new Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan borrowers, also click the drop-down that says "Complete Aid Process," and choose "MPN for Parents" at studentaid.gov.