Federal Direct Loans

The Direct Loan program is provided and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Student loan borrowing cannot exceed the cost of attendance, nor may the student borrow over the annual and lifetime aggregates that are set for Direct Loans by the U.S. Department of Education. The type of loan offered is based upon the results of the FAFSA.

Loan Type Origination Fees Interest Rate
Undergraduate Subsidized Direct Loan 1.057% 5.50%
Undergraduate Unsubsidized Direct Loan 1.057% 5.50%
Graduate Unsubsidized Direct Loan 1.057% 7.05%
Direct PLUS Loans (Parent & Graduate) 4.228% 8.05%

The table above refers to origination fees on loans disbursed on or after 10/01/2020-10/01/2024 and interest rates on loans first disbursed on or after 07/01/2023-07/01/2024.

Origination fees are fees assessed by lenders to help offset the cost of processing the loan. The origination fee is assessed on each loan disbursement. Origination fees are subject to change under the regulations set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Interest rates are amounts charged to a borrower for the privilege of using the lender’s money. The interest is calculated as a percentage of the principal balance of the loan. Interest rates are subject to change under the regulations set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Direct Loan Processing

Students must complete the following steps to accept a Direct Loan:

Step 1:  Accept or Reject the Direct Loan

  • On the A&M-San Antonio homepage, www.tamusa.edu, hover over the Quick Links, and select JagWire.
  • Log in using the Windows Domain account.
  • Select Paying for College.
  • In the Financial Aid Steps section, select Review/Accept Terms & Conditions and Award.
  • Select the appropriate Aid Year and submit.
  • Select the Accept Award Offer tab and finalize award decision.

Step 2:  Complete Entrance Counseling (All new borrowers) 

  • Visit www.studentaid.gov
  • Sign in and select Complete Counseling.
  • In the Entrance Counseling section, select Start.

Step 3:  Complete Electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) (All borrowers)

  • Visit www.studentaid.gov
  • Sign in and select Complete Master Promissory Note.
  • Select Texas A&M University-San Antonio as your school.
  • The Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships will receive electronic confirmation when the student has completed Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note.

Federal Direct Loan Limits

Annual and lifetime (total debt) limits for subsidized and unsubsidized student loans are mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. The amounts include the outstanding principal balance on the loan(s) and not interest or other charges incurred.

Semester Subsidized Loan Additional Unsubsidized
Dependent Undergraduate Students
Freshman $3,500 $2,000
Sophomore $4,500 $2,000
Junior/ Senior $5,500 $2,000
Maximum Total Debt1 $31,000 ($23,000 may be Subsidized)
Independent Undergraduate Students
Freshman $3,500 $6,000
Sophomore $4,500 $6,000
Junio/Senior $5,500 $7,000
Maximum Total Debt1 $57,500 ($23,000 may be Subsidized)
Graduate/Professional Students
Unsubsidized Loan $20,500/Academic Year
Maximum Total Debt1,2,3 $138,500 ($65,500 may be Subsidized)
1

All “Maximum Total Debt” amounts include both Direct and FFELP subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

2

The graduate total debt limit includes subsidized and unsubsidized student loans received during undergraduate study.

3

As of Fall 2012, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are no longer offered to Graduate Students due to changes in Federal Regulations.

Direct Loan Exit Counseling

Upon withdrawing, graduating, dropping below half-time, or simply not returning to A&M-San Antonio, students will be sent information on how to complete Exit Counseling. Upon leaving the institution, a hold is placed on a student’s account to prevent the receipt of an official transcript or diploma. Completion of Exit Counseling will allow for removal of the hold.