Although institutional scholarships and grants make up a large portion of many financial aid offers, student and parent loans can also help you meet your education costs.
Personalized loan counseling is available—particularly at graduation time—and every effort is made to keep debt levels manageable.
Several fixed-interest loans are available to assist you and your parents with the cost of college. Some are based on financial need, and all loans take into consideration the cost of attendance and any other sources of financial aid being received.
Federal Changes to Loan Eligibility:
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3 or OBBBA) [PDF] was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
This legislation impacts Federal Student Aid programs, especially Federal Student Loan programs, such as loan repayment plans, Federal Student Loan limits, loan adjustments for less-than-full-time enrollment, Federal Parent PLUS Loans, and Federal Graduate PLUS Loans. These changes became effective on July 1, 2026.
For more information, please visit our Upcoming Federal Changes webpage.
Before You Borrow
Before making any borrowing decisions, you should:
- File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA).
- If you are an incoming undergraduate student, you should also complete the CSS Profile to be considered for Syracuse University grant funding.
- Consider Payment Plans through the Office of the Bursar.
- Borrow Federal Direct Loans first
- Connect with ’Cuse Works to learn more about employment opportunities while you are in school.
- Pursue Federal Graduate PLUS loans next
- As of July 1, 2026: Graduate students must meet the Legacy Provisions to be eligible for the Graduate PLUS Loan.
- Ask for help from your parents, guardians, or other individuals invested in your education.
- Shop around before borrowing an alternative (private) loan.
- Review the Private Loan Borrowing Guide
- Connect with the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising to get assistance with applying for nationally competitive scholarships.
Federal Loan Eligibility
To be considered eligible for a Federal loan, you must:
- Be matriculated and make academic progress in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or diploma at Syracuse University.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
- Be enrolled for at least half-time per term.
- Not be in default on any previous federal student loan or grant program.
All borrowers must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN) before the loan can be disbursed.
Loan Disbursements
Loans are sent in two disbursements, half in the fall and half in the spring. If the loan is being borrowed for only one semester, the funds are disbursed in full at the beginning of the semester. Graduate students enrolled in online programs will receive their loan disbursements at the beginning of their enrollment period.
Many students receive a refund from their loan funds for living expenses. You may request a refund on MySlice under Student Services or by contacting the Bursar’s office.
Come to campus prepared to buy books and have money for personal expenses because refunds may not be immediately available when you arrive on campus.
Application Deadlines
You must reapply for your loans by completing the FAFSA each academic year. You may apply for a federal loan at any point throughout the term for which you want the loan, but you cannot borrow a federal loan for a term that has ended. Be sure to meet all published deadlines to avoid any delays in your loan offer.