Loans

Student Debt Relief

On August 24, 2022, President Biden announced that the US Department of Education will implement a three-part plan to assist loan borrowers. It will provide loan forgiveness to borrowers with an individual income of $125,000 or $250,000 for households. Loan forgiveness applies only to loans first disbursed on or before June 30, 2022. Federal courts have issued orders blocking the student debt relief program and as a result, no additional applications are currently being accepted. An additional extension of the student loan repayment pause has been granted allowing federal courts to resolve current litigation.  If the debt relief program has not been implemented and litigation not resolved by June 20, 2023, payments will resume 60 days after that.  Borrowers who want to monitor updates to Federal Student Loan Debt Relief, can sign up at the U.S. Department of Education subscription page. Finally, simplification of income-based repayment plans have been proposed that will substantially reduce future monthly payments for eligible borrowers. Please visit studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/ for the most up-to-date information.

Loans

Federal loans are considered financial aid. Student loans are a resource to assist families in meeting the costs of higher education expenses. By completing the FAFSA, you are considered for all types of financial aid, including loans. Your Financial Aid Offer will include Federal Loans. A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand who is making the loan and the terms of the loan. Student loans can come from the U.S. Department of Education. Student loans can also be from private sources, such as a bank or financial institution. Federal Loans often offer borrowers lower interest rates. They also may have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources. Visit the Federal Student Aid website for details on types of loans offered.

Our website gives details about both federal and private loans. Ohio University also offers a short term loan program to students needing temporary financial assistance.

Financial aid payment of Federal loans are dependent upon eligible enrollment. Some courses that are being retaken after previously receiving a passing grade in the course may not count toward financial aid eligible enrollment. Additionally, the cost of attendance will reflect the financial aid eligible enrollment, excluding non-eligible retaken courses. In summary, the following rules regarding repeated/retaken courses are applicable:

• Courses with a grade of F may be retaken and count toward financial aid enrollment.
• Courses with a grade of W/WP/WF/WN may be retaken and count toward financial aid enrollment.
• Courses with a passing grade may be retaken once and count toward financial aid enrollment.
• Courses with a passing grade taken twice will not count toward financial aid enrollment.
• Exceptions include courses that the university defines as "repeatable".

For specific loan questions, please email financial.aid.loan@ohio.edu.