This page outlines the steps you need to take in order to successfully complete the US Direct loan application and certification process.
In order to successfully complete the process you need to ensure you have completed all the steps outlined on this page. After submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you are advised to contact the Student Funding Service by emailing uscanadaloans@arts.ac.uk.
If you are applying for a private loan, you can find more information on how to apply on our Private Loan and Sallie Mae website.
Step 1. FAFSA
Complete your FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov using UAL school code: G34733. You must do this every academic year.
Completing your FAFSA is the first step in the loan application process. You need to complete all the steps outlined on this page before your loans can be certified.
Step 2. Cost of Attendance
Contact UAL Student Funding Service by email uscanadaloans@arts.ac.uk and request your Cost of Attendance (COA).
The COA is set annually by the UAL and provides a maximum amount you may be eligible to borrow to cover your educational expenses. It includes tuition fees, estimated living costs (accommodation and board) study materials, travel and personal expenses, loan fees, flights, Visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
To learn more about COA visit the UAL Cost of Attendance page.
Step 3. MPNs and PLUS Credit Check
Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document by which student and/or parent borrowers consent to the US Direct loan terms and conditions.
There are two types of MPNs: one for Direct Subsidised and Direct Unsubsidised Loans (for student borrowers) and one for Direct PLUS Loans (for parents and graduate student borrowers).
Sign in to StudentAid.gov using your FSA ID to complete the MPNs. To avoid the delay, remember to use UAL school code: G34733 and not the school codes assigned to the individual UAL Colleges.
Step 4. Entrance Counselling
All first-time borrowers are required to complete the Entrance Counselling.
Sign in to StudentAid.gov using your FSA ID to complete the Entrance Counselling.
Borrowers with the adverse credit history and/or who have obtained an approved endorser must complete the PLUS loan Entrance Counselling before they can receive their PLUS loan.
Sign in to StudentAid.gov using your FSA ID to complete the PLUS credit counselling.
Step 5. Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement
Each year student and parent PLUS borrowers a required to complete the Annual Student Loans Acknowledgement.
If this is your first time accepting a federal student loan, you are acknowledging that you understand your responsibility to repay your loan. If you have existing federal student loans, you are acknowledging that you understand how much you owe and how much more you are eligible to borrow.
Sign in to StudentAid.gov using your FSA ID to complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement.
Step 6. US Loans Request Form
After you completed the FAFSA (Step 1) and contacted the UAL Student Funding Service (Step 2), you will be emailed the COA and a link to complete the US Loans Request Form. This form will ask you to specify the loan amounts you want to borrow.
What happens next
- We will start certifying US federal loans from 1 June.
- Once we have certified your loans, we will email you the Financial Aid Offer. It can be used for your Visa application and to request a tuition fee deposit waiver. To request the tuition fee deposit please email the document to admissions@arts.ac.uk including your UAL ID.
- If you have questions about your Visa or Immigration visit UAL Immigration & Visas.
- If you have questions about your CAS visit Student Visa.
Contact us
Student Funding Service
uscanadaloans@arts.ac.uk