{"id":2711,"date":"2017-03-24T17:20:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T21:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/md\/studentaffairs\/financial-aid\/loans\/medical-school-loans\/federal-loans\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T09:28:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T14:28:21","slug":"federal-loans","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/md\/financial-aid\/types-of-aid\/loans\/federal-loans\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Loans"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Department of Education<\/a> offers several federal student loan options to help medical students finance their education. These loan programs are primarily authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA).<\/p>\n

NOTE: Be sure to always go through ConnectCarolina<\/a> to complete forms and applications pertaining to loans \u2014 this is very important, as it is how we keep your records (and your to-do list) up-to-date and accurate.<\/p>\n

Direct Unsubsidized Loans (Stafford Loans)<\/h2>\n

You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement, and repayment typically begins six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment.<\/p>\n

Legacy Borrower<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>If you have borrowed loans during the 2025-26 Aid Year,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prior to July 1, 2026<\/span><\/span>, you are considered a \u201clegacy\u201d borrower<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Therefore, you are still eligible to receive Graduate Plus loans<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Your full eligibility will include\u00a0<\/span>$40,500<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Unsubsidized Stafford loan<\/strong> and a Graduate Plus loan, up to your cost of attendance. You can continue to borrow from the program for three academic years, or the\u00a0<\/span>remainder<\/span>\u00a0expected time to credential, whichever is less.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Borrower<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 If you did not borrow any loans during the 2025-26 Aid Year,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prior to July 1, 2026<\/span><\/span>, you are considered a \u201cnew\u201d borrower<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>You will no longer be eligible to receive Graduate Plus loans. Your full eligibility will only include $50,000 per aid year in the Unsubsidized Stafford loan<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Direct Subsidized & Direct Unsubsidized Loans Website<\/a><\/p>\n

Direct PLUS Loans (Graduate PLUS Loans)<\/h2>\n

You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible. These loans are available to graduate and professional students to cover education expenses not met by other financial aid. Graduate PLUS loans require a credit check and may require a co-signer if you have adverse credit history. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement, and repayment typically begins six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment.<\/p>\n

Legacy Borrower<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>If you have borrowed loans during the 2025-26 Aid Year,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prior to July 1, 2026<\/span><\/span>, you are considered a \u201clegacy\u201d borrower<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Therefore, you are still eligible to receive Graduate Plus loans<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Your full eligibility will include\u00a0<\/span>$40,500<\/span>\u00a0Unsubsidized Stafford loan and a Graduate Plus loan, up to your cost of attendance. You can continue to borrow from the program for three academic years, or the\u00a0<\/span>remainder<\/span>\u00a0expected time to credential, whichever is less.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Borrower<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 If you did not borrow any loans during the 2025-26 Aid Year,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prior to July 1, 2026<\/span><\/span>, you are considered a \u201cnew\u201d borrower<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>You will no longer be eligible to receive Graduate Plus loans<\/strong>. Your full eligibility will only include $50,000 per aid year in the Unsubsidized Stafford loan<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PLUS Loan for Parents and Graduate and Professional Students Website<\/a><\/p>\n

HRSA Primary Care Loans (PCL)<\/h2>\n

These loans are offered to students who commit to primary care practice. They have lower interest rates and extended repayment terms. Eligibility is based on financial need, and the applicant must submit both FAFSA and the Primary Care Loan application.<\/p>\n

Medical students interested in primary care are eligible for the HRSA PCL program. The PCL offers a 5 percent interest rate to students who agree to train and practice in primary care until the loans are paid off (capped at 10 years). Students who fail to complete the service requirement will revert to a
\n7 percent interest rate.<\/p>\n

Primary Care Loans (PCL) Website<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Department of Education offers several federal student loan options to help medical students finance their education. These loan programs are primarily authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA). 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