Federal Student Loans
The maximum amount a student may borrow is based on the program of study and demonstrated financial need. If the allowable cost of education exceeds the maximum Direct Loan eligibility, the student may borrow from the Graduate PLUS Loan. Entrance counseling is required for both Federal Direct Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans.
Types of Federal Loan Programs
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan - Learn more »
As of July 1, 2012 the federal government removed the interest-free subsidy on the subsidized Direct Loan for graduate students.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan - Learn more »
A non-need based loan where the student is responsible for all interest which accrues from the day of disbursement (view interest rate chart). A loan fee of approximately 1% will be deducted from the loan prior to disbursement. Repayment begins 6 months after graduation. These funds must be repaid.
Federal Graduate PLUS Loan - Learn more »
A credit-based, non-need loan where the student is responsible for all interest which accrues from the day of disbursement (view interest rate chart). A loan fee of approximately 4% will be deducted from the loan prior to disbursement. The maximum amount cannot exceed the approved cost of education (including all other aid) for the loan period. Repayment begins immediately following graduation. These funds must be repaid.
Discontinuation of the Federal Perkins Loan Program
The Federal Perkins Loan program will be discontinued for new borrowers starting Oct 1st, 2015. Currently enrolled NUHS students may continue to receive Perkins loans under the following conditions:
- A Perkins Loan disbursement was received on or before June 30, 2015, and
- A student is enrolled in the same academic program for which they received their last Perkins Loan disbursement.
Please note that students who received a first Perkins Loan disbursement after June 30, 2015 and prior to October 1, 2015 will not be eligible for further Perkins Loan disbursements beyond the 2015-2016 award year.
More Information
View the current federal loan interest rates »
Most loan and scholarship programs require students to maintain standards of satisfactory academic progress.
Allowable Loan Maximums – DC
| Loan Program | Maximum Per Period |
| Federal Direct Subsidized | $0 |
| Federal Direct Unsubsidized | $31,611 |
| Academic Period Maximum | $31,611 |
| Graduate PLUS | no maximum* |
Note: A period is two trimesters.
* The maximum Graduate PLUS Loan (including any other financial aid) cannot exceed the approved budget for the loan period.
Aggregate Direct Loan Maximums – DC
| Loan Program | Maximum |
| Federal Direct Subsidized | $65,500 |
| Federal Direct Unsubsidized | $158,500 |
| Aggregate Maximum | $224,000 |
Florida DC Students
Doctor of Chiropractic students enrolled at our Florida site are eligible for financial aid under the same guidelines as DC students enrolled at our Lombard campus. All financial aid programs for NUHS students are administered through the Lombard campus, and Florida DC students may utilize the same online resources to begin their financial aid application process.