The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program is the U.S. Department of Education's federal student loan program. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender under this program.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a federally-sponsored "need-based" loan. The federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half time. Interest begins to accrue when you enter repayment. This loan is available to undergraduate students only.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a federally-sponsored loan which has no interest subsidy. The interest accrues from the date of disbursement. You may pay the interest while you are enrolled or defer the interest. Accrued interest will capitalize once when you enter repayment. Students are encouraged to make the interest payments while in school to help decrease the total costs of the loan.
Important updates
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) impact on borrowers. Learn about the impacts to current and future federal direct loan borrowers due to the Big Beautiful Bill Act. As federal regulations, policies, and procedures are still pending from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, federal grants and loan offers may be adjusted. Federal systems and vendor software updates are pending; amounts may be adjusted once specifications are finalized and institutional systems are updated. Students will be notified promptly if adjustments are required. Read more about OB3.
How to apply for a Federal Direct Loan
All federal aid programs start with the submission of your annual FAFSA form. Please visit studentaid.gov to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Your Financial Aid Offer Letter will include your federal direct loan eligibility. If you are offered a federal direct subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan, your next step is to accept the offer in MyNevada. Navigate to the Financial Aid tile < Select Accept/Decline < Click Edit.
Entrance counseling is designed to help you understand your loan and the responsibilities and obligations of borrowing and repaying a Federal Direct Loan. New borrowers at the University of Nevada, Reno must complete entrance counseling before the University will certify your loan(s) with the lender.
Entrance counseling is completed through Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education. You may log-in with your FSA ID username, email or mobile phone and associated password.
The Master Promissory Note is a legal document where you agree to repay your loan(s), including any fees or interests to the U.S. Department of Education. New borrowers at the University of Nevada, Reno must sign a Master Promissory Note before the University will certify your loan(s) with the lender.
You may sign your Master Promissory Note through Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.
When funds are received, our office will review your financial aid eligibility, including Satisfactory Academic Progress. If you are eligible and enrolled in the required number of credits, your funds will be applied to your student account. Federal regulations prohibit disbursement earlier than 10 days before the start of classes each semester.
Credit requirements by enrollment funding status
Enrollment funding status
Undergraduate or teaching certificate
Graduate (must be graduate-level courses; GA and TA students are not exempt)
Full-time
12 or more credits
9 or more credits
Three-quarter time
9 to 11 credits
7 to 8 credits
Half-time
6 to 8 credits
5 to 6 credits
Our office notifies you in writing each time loan funds are disbursed into your student account. You are encouraged to utilize MyNEVADA to check on the status of your financial aid.
After all institutional charges are paid, any remaining funds are issued to the borrower by the Cashier’s Office to the address listed in MyNEVADA.
Note: Parent PLUS loan refunds will be sent to the mailing address indicated on the PLUS loan application if the parent indicated that residual funds are to be returned to the parent. You can reach out to the Cashier’s Office by emailing cashiersoffice@unr.edu or calling (775) 784-6915.
