Graduate & Professional Federal Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized loans are awarded to all eligible graduate/professional students who submit the FAFSA and are enrolled at least half-time. Interest accrues once the loans are disbursed, even during the grace or deferment periods.

Students can borrow up to $20,500 in direct unsubsidized loans per year. Pharmacy students can borrow up to $33,000 per year.

Graduate PLUS Loan

Direct PLUS loans are referred to as Graduate PLUS loans when the borrower is a graduate/professional student. The Graduate PLUS loan is an unsubsidized loan available to graduate/professional students to help pay for educational expenses that are not covered by other financial aid.

Eligibility for this loan is as follows:

  • You must be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree or certificate
  • You must not have an adverse credit history
  • You must have successfully completed the FAFSA

Apply for Direct Unsubsidized Loans

To apply for the Direct Unsubsidized Loans you must first complete the FAFSA.

You will then be offered the loans for which you are eligible. If you decide to borrow, you will then complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN):

First, complete the FAFSA:

  • Review your financial aid offer and payment options

  • Decide if you would like to borrow the loan(s) available to you

Next, complete the Loan Entrance Counseling session:

Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN):

Finally, complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement:

Apply for Graduate PLUS Loans

After you successfully file the FAFSA, you may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan. The instructions and application links are below.

  1. Obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Graduate PLUS loan if you do not repay it. The endorser cannot be the child on whose behalf you are borrowing.
  2. Submitting an appeal with the U.S. Department of Education if you believe that there are extenuating circumstances relating to your adverse credit history.

Upon approval for either option you will need to complete the Credit Counseling for PLUS Loan Borrowers.

Yearly Loan Limits

Graduate (120+ Credit Hours)

• $20,500

• Unsubsidized loans only

Pharmacy (90+ Credit hours)

• $33,000

• Unsubsidized loans only

Lifetime Loan Limits

  • $138,000
  • Unsubsidized loans only

Please note that these lifetime totals do not take into consideration any graduate PLUS loans or private loans taken out by a student.

  • $224,000
  • Unsubsidized loans only

Please note that these lifetime totals do not take into consideration any graduate PLUS loans or private loans taken out by a student.

Student Loan Guidance

i3 Group | Students. Schools. Success.

Did you receive a phone call from the i3 Group? Palm Beach Atlantic University is partnered with the i3 Group who is dedicated to helping students take control of their education loans. Over the past ten years the i3 Group has worked with colleges & universities across the country helping students avoid delinquency and default on their student loans. Their expert concierge advisers have served over three million students by placing them into sustainable repayment plans, regardless of their loan balance or personal income.

For more information you can contact the i3 Group at (866) 296-7955 or visit their website here!

Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid

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Phone: (561) 803-2126