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Stafford Loans

Federal Stafford Loans are low-interest loans backed by the Federal Government. For students who must borrow to supplement personal and family savings, Stafford Loans have a fixed 5.498% interest rate for the 2023-2024 academic year.

There are two types of Stafford Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized.

  • Subsidized loans are preferable because the government pays all the interest while you are enrolled in school at least half-time and for a six-month grace period after students graduate or discontinue.
  • Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest 60 days after disbursement. Students may choose to make monthly payments on unsubsidized loans while they are in school.

Eligibility

  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen.
  • Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
  • Be admitted to BYU–Hawaii as a regular student in a degree-seeking undergraduate program, teacher certification, or required re-certification, or taking prerequisite courses for admission to a graduate degree-seeking program (for a current or future enrollment during the academic year).
  • Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
  • Be awarded by your last day of eligible enrollment and not have exceeded federal loan limits.
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant.

HOW TO APPLY?

  1. Complete your FAFSA application! For unsubsidized Stafford Loans, please submit an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Request Form.
  2. Complete verification, if selected.
  3. Complete a Master Promissory Note.
  4. Complete an Entrance Counseling.
  5. Review financial aid award letter.

Federal aid tutorials are available on the FAFSA page.

Please note, Stafford Loans by default are disbursed to a student's account over three (3) semesters. Students may be asked to provide proof of citizenship.

Loan Default Rate

BYU–Hawaii is required to publish the institution's loan cohort default rate (CDR) for federal loans.
The current institutional default rate is 0%.