Financial Aid for US Students

Considering studying at Oxford University as a US student? It's an exciting prospect, and understanding how financial aid works is a crucial step. This guide is designed to help you navigate the process of securing US federal loans for your studies at Oxford. We'll break down the eligibility requirements, application steps, and important considerations to ensure a smooth journey. While the US Department of Education ultimately determines loan eligibility and amounts, we're here to provide clarity and support every step of the way. For detailed information on scholarships and funding options, visit our complete guide on how to get a scholarship at Oxford University.

Your Application Journey

Applying for financial aid can seem daunting, but we're here to simplify it. The first and most important step for all students, whether you're new to Oxford or continuing your studies, is to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025/26 academic year. It's crucial to submit this as early as possible, as the process can take up to five weeks. Any complexities with your application might extend this timeline, so timely and accurate submission is key.

If you're a January or September starter and are submitting a late application, please email us so we can be aware of your situation. You can find specific application deadlines under Question 2 of our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Our School Code for FAFSA applications is G20879. You'll find more detailed information about this and other requirements from the Federal Student Aid department in the 'How do I apply?' section below.

Important Notes for New and Continuing Students:

• New Students: Your application can only move forward once your offer from Oxford Brookes University is unconditional. At this point, we'll ask you to complete the Oxford Brookes University US Loan Information Form. If the only remaining condition for your offer is a deposit payment, please email us, and we'll work with the Admissions office to waive this condition.
• Continuing Students: Your application can progress once you've received your semester 2 results and met our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. Once these are confirmed, please complete the Oxford Brookes University US Loan Information Form.

We may reach out to you for additional information, so please respond to our emails promptly. If you're ever unsure about what we need, don't hesitate to check with us.

When to Apply and What to Expect

For the 2025/26 academic year, loan applications are now open, and we strongly recommend applying as soon as you can. For detailed instructions on how to complete your application, please refer to the 'How to Apply' section on this page. The loan approval process typically takes up to four weeks, though it could take longer if there are any issues with your application.

To ensure your application is processed in time for the first disbursement in Michaelmas term 2025, we advise submitting it by Friday, August 15, 2025, at the very latest. Applications received after this date will still be processed as quickly as possible, but we cannot guarantee they will be ready for the earliest disbursement. In such cases, your first installment will be scheduled for the next available disbursement date within the Michaelmas term.

If your application includes requests for additional funds, such as fieldwork costs, or requires a decision under the professional judgment policy, submitting your loan application early is even more critical. Once your loan is processed and approved, we will confirm the disbursement date for your first installment.

Looking ahead, applications for the 2026/27 academic year will open in May 2025.

Can I Apply for My US Federal Loan Mid-Year?

Yes, you can apply for a loan during the academic year. However, you must submit your application with enough time for us to complete processing and disburse the funds before your academic year ends (for undergraduates, this is typically June). Please also be aware that the US Department of Education has its own FAFSA submission deadline, which you must meet.

Exploring Other Funding Avenues

Beyond federal loans, several other funding options are available to US students:

Scholarships

We encourage you to explore scholarship opportunities. You can find comprehensive information on our Oxford Funding and External Funding pages.

Private Loans

If you're considering a private US student loan, please visit our dedicated private loans page for more information.

US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Funding

Oxford University is equipped to process applications for US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, often known as the GI Bill or Post 9/11 Bill. We can complete and submit certificates of enrollment directly to the VA. For more details, please refer to our US Department of Veterans Affairs funding information page.

Are You Eligible for US Federal Loans?

To qualify for US federal loans, you must meet specific criteria set by the US Department of Education, which are detailed on the Federal Student Aid website. It's important to note that these eligibility criteria, along with the types of loans available and the amounts you can borrow, can change at the Department of Education's discretion and are beyond the University's control. We highly recommend checking the Federal Student Aid website for the most current eligibility requirements.

In addition to the federal criteria, you must also:

• Be enrolled at least half-time for the entire duration of your Oxford course.
• Be studying an eligible, degree-bearing course.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout your studies.
• With very few exceptions, undertake your study or research within the UK.

We can only approve loans for students who meet all these criteria.

Understanding Enrollment Requirements

You must remain enrolled on at least a half-time basis for the entire length of your Oxford course. We can only request your loan funds from the US if you are enrolled a minimum of seven calendar days before each disbursement date. More information about enrollment is available on our Guide to Registration page.

If there are any changes to your enrollment status, course, or college, you must email the US loans team immediately and review the information in the 'Receiving Your Loan' section. Please be aware that you cannot receive a US federal loan at Oxford if you are simultaneously enrolled and taking a federal loan at another institution.

Ineligible Courses: What You Need to Know

There are certain courses for which the University cannot offer federal loan funds. However, students on these ineligible courses may still be eligible for a private loan. The following types of courses are generally not eligible for federal loans:

• Any non-degree bearing course, such as undergraduate or graduate certificates and diplomas.
• Courses that are less than half-time.
• Courses involving study outside of the UK for more than 25% of the overall course duration (please check with the US loans team if this applies to you).
• Courses involving distance learning and/or online elements (with some exceptions – please check with the US loans team).
• Medical training courses.
• Summer school courses.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy applies to all students receiving federal loans at Oxford, including Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Grad PLUS, and Parent PLUS loans. You can find full details of the SAP process and procedures for failing to meet SAP requirements in our SAP policy, available on our Consumer Information and Policies page.

Studying or Researching Outside the UK

Federal regulations may allow students receiving US federal loans to undertake up to 25% of their program of study in the United States or at institutions outside the US through a written agreement. The US loans team will need to assess the eligibility of your chosen institution or entity to ensure it meets the regulatory conditions. If you plan to undertake any periods of study or research away from Oxford, or a placement or internship during your course, please email the US loans team before applying for your loan so we can assess your eligibility.

What US Federal Loans Can I Borrow?

The type of loan and the amount you can borrow depend on whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student. In addition to the information below, you must complete the federal Cost of Attendance (COA) form to determine the specific amounts you are eligible to borrow for the academic year. Your COA represents the estimated costs of completing your study at Oxford for one academic year. You can find the COA forms in the 'How to Apply' section.

Loan Types for Graduate Students

Loan Types for Undergraduate Students

Before you apply for a federal loan, you'll need to determine if you are a dependent or an independent student. This will determine which loan types and amounts you are eligible for. You can find definitions to help you determine your status on the Federal Student Aid website. If you have unusual circumstances and need advice, please email the US loans team.

*Some courses are not eligible for federal loans. More information is available in the 'Eligibility' section.

**Origination fees, default fees, and interest rates are subject to change. The rates for 2025-26 are as shown at the time of publication. For the latest information on interest rates and fees, please see the Federal Student Aid website.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for US Federal Student Loans

We can only begin processing your loan once we receive your Cost of Attendance (COA) form and all the steps outlined below are complete.

1Confirm Your Eligibility

Before anything else, please make sure you've thoroughly read the information in our 'Eligibility' section. If you have any questions about your course's eligibility, don't hesitate to contact the US loans team. Also, before moving to the next step, check our 'How Much' section to understand which loan types you might be eligible for as an undergraduate or graduate student.

2Note Your College Code

Your unique college code is essential for this process. If you haven't yet been allocated a college place, please hold off on starting your US loan application. You'll find a list of college codes available.

3Complete Your FAFSA

Head over to the Federal Student Aid website to complete your FAFSA. This is a crucial step you'll need to repeat every year you wish to take out a federal loan. The FAFSA serves as the loan application for Unsubsidized (for both undergraduates and graduates) and/or Subsidized (for undergraduates only) loan takers. There's no separate application needed for these loan types beyond the FAFSA.

4Complete Your PLUS Loan Application (If Applicable)

If you plan to apply for a PLUS loan in addition to your Unsubsidized and/or Subsidized loan (or if your parent will be applying for a Parent PLUS loan), you (or your parent) will need to complete a PLUS loan application on StudentLoans.gov. Here are the direct links:

• Graduate PLUS loan application
• Parent PLUS loan application

5Complete Your Loan Agreement (MPN) for Each Loan Type

You'll need to complete your Master Promissory Notes (MPNs) on the Federal Student Aid website. Since Oxford is a foreign school, new MPNs must be completed every year you apply for a federal loan. You must complete an MPN for each type of loan you are taking. For example:

• Undergraduates: Complete an MPN for the Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. If applicable, your parent should complete a separate MPN for the Parent PLUS loan.
• Graduates: Complete up to two MPNs – one for the Unsubsidized loan and one for the Grad PLUS loan.

6Complete Entrance Counseling

Entrance counseling is required for each loan type you are taking. The entrance counseling link on the Federal Student Aid website will fulfill the counseling requirements for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans.

You can skip this step if you've already completed entrance counseling that covers all the above loan types at a previous institution or in a prior year of study.

7Complete Oxford's Cost of Attendance (COA) Form

Before you start filling out your COA form, here are some crucial points to remember:

• Complete Previous Steps First: Make sure you have completed Steps 1 through 6 above before you begin your COA.
• No Saving Progress: The COA form cannot save your progress, so ensure you have all necessary information ready before starting.