The University of Sheffield
SSiD

Loan Information for US & Canadian Students

Please read this web-page carefully

Information about Canadian Loans

Federal Student Loan Programme

Due to changes in origination fees, the US Education Deptartment's software is being revised, such that loans for 2013/14 cannot be processed before 28 June. If you completed your PLUS loan credit check before April, you will have to do it again just before sending your completed loan application documents to the University. This is because we can only originate PLUS loans with a credit check that is no older than 90 days.

The Cost of Attendance spreadsheet was updated on 10th May 2013. If you completed a CoA before this date, please download the new version.

Loans and Eligibility

The University of Sheffield participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Programme and our School code is G08398. As an American national or permanent resident you can apply for a loan if you have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Sheffield. Loans need to be applied for on an annual basis. Direct loan applications for the 2013/14 academic year can be submitted after 1 May 2013, please see the (Downloads box) Guidance Notes and Loan Flowchart, in the first instance.

You must make sure Direct Loans know you intend to study at a UK School. The School will confirm student eligibility and determine their loan award. We will report student registration status and loan periods (students must be studying full-time or at least half-time). If you are not eligible for Federal Loans (please see list below), you can apply for a Private Loan (see 'Information about Private Loans' below).

Which programmes are eligible for financial aid?

Our eligibility certificate permits the University to provide financial aid for the following programmes:

The following programmes are NOT eligible for financial aid:

How much can you borrow - Cost of Attendance

You may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (CoA) and no more. To calculate your loan amount we add your tuition fee and estimated living cost together then deduct any scholarships/fee reductions etc; and any EFC from your SAR. We estimate that students will need approx £7500 for living cost per year which includes accommodation and £4800 per year for each dependant (spouse or child). We advice students to have funds available to cover the first couple of weeks in Sheffield.

On the CoA spreadsheet, we have set a limit which is in relation to the costs for studying in Sheffield. If you change these costs so that you they above the maximum amount, you may be asked to provide additional evidence to support this. The figures can be seen on the CoA spreadsheet, and explained on sheet “Basis of Costs“.

EXAMPLE A: A graduate student CoA spreadsheet indicates that you are in need of $42,000 after taking into account any scholarships/fee waivers and any EFC. You borrow $20,500 unsubsidised and the remaining amount of $21,500 can be taken on a PLUS Loan making a total loan amount of $42,000.

EXAMPLE B: A first year undergraduate student CoA spreadsheet indicates that you are in need of $42,400 after taking into account any scholarships/fee waivers and any EFC. You borrow $3,500 subsidised and $6,000 unsubsidised and the remaining amount of $31,900 can be taken on a PLUS Loan making a total loan amount of $42,400.

The table below shows the Direct Loan limits for subsidised and unsidised loans for dependent and independent students.

Loan Limits for All Students Dependent Students* Independent Students**
Subsidised Unsubsidised Unsubsidised
UG Y1 $3500 $2000 $6000
UG Y2 $4500 $2000 $6000
UG Y3 $5500 $2000 $7000
PG $0 N/A $20500
PLUS Loan                             Balance up to the CoA

*Except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans
**And dependent undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans

How to apply

Most of the work is completed on-line by the student. The school will not know you are making a genuine application, nor know how much you wish to borrow until you send us the information we need. You must download the Guidance Notes and Loan Flowchart along with the CoA Spreadsheet. Follow the instructions in the flowchart and complete the spreadsheet CoA page and the Checklist page (see download box on right). Then send an email to usloans@sheffield.ac.uk with all the documents attached.

YOU MUST USE THE SPEADSHEET & CHECKLIST IF ANY DOCUMENTS ARE MISSING FROM YOUR EMAIL WE CANNOT PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION. We will mail you a Notification of Loan Letter showing the amount of Loan you will be receiving for the academic year. This letter can be used to apply for your Visa application and will be mailed by recorded delivery to your home address in early July 2013, providing the documents you supplied are correct and in order. You must have officially accepted your offer of a place at the University in order for us to deal with your application in the first instance.

It can take up to 7 working days for the letter to reach you, so please make sure you apply as soon as possible.

It is important for you to have your funding in place before coming to Sheffield. If you are intending to apply for Federal Loan funding, please submit your information to us by 16th September 2013. If you are wanting to apply after this date, please contact usloans@sheffield.ac.uk and please note that the first instalment of the loan may be delayed.

The following is to assist you whilst making your application.

When completing the CoA, you'll be asked for the Tuition Fee amount. The links below will direct you to the relevant pages:

Course Details

Postgraduate Taught - Tuition Fees e.g. MA

Postgraduate Research - Tuition Fees e.g. PhD, MPhil

Undergraduate - Tution Fees e.g. BA

The links below will take you to the appropriate web-site:

Apply to FAFSA for Student Aid Report

Entrance Counselling, Apply for a PLUS Loan Request or Sign Master Promissory Notes (MPN)

Selective Service

Further information about Direct Loans

Opening a bank account & How the funds will be paid to you

Funds will be paid to the University where our Finance Department will take out the Tuition & Accommodation Fees (if applicable) and arrange a cheque for the remaining balance to be paid to you. With this cheque it is advisable that you open a UK bank account once you arrive in the UK. You can open a student account at any high street bank. For more details on the payment procedure please contact Fiona Crossley in the Income Office, Finance Department f.crossley@sheffield.ac.uk

The disbursement dates for 2013-14 are as follows:

These dates are estimated dates, and are subject to change – in this instance, we will notify you of any delays. The very latest that you can apply to ensure funds on these dates is 16th September 2013. If you apply after this date, we will let you know the next available dates. Email usloans@sheffield.ac.uk for further guidance.

If you have previous loans that you need a deferment form completing for, please go to this web-page www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/finance/usloan_forms

Further info relating to our policies and other support available can be found here www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/finance/usloan_info

Information about Private Loans

The only private loan currently available to students at foreign schools is the Smart Loan from Sallie Mae. You must apply on-line and then complete the following:

PLEASE NOTE; If you forget to email your promissory note we will not be able to certify your smart loan.

For information about alternative International Loans, please see the following link:

Global Education Management Services (GEMS)

For information about visas and immigration, please go to the link below:

Immigration