KCU makes applying for a student loan simple.

This loan information is only for incoming students in the fall of 2026.

The Direct Unsubsidized loan is NOT based on financial need. The student is responsible for paying the interest, which begins accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed. There is a six-month grace period after graduation or dropping below half-time before repayment is required. The unsubsidized loan DOES accrue interest while the student is in school. Students can choose to make interest payments while in school or let the interest capitalize. When a student loan capitalizes the interest is added to the principal amount of the loan.

Priority Deadline: March 15, however, students can apply anytime during the current academic year

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Must be admitted to a graduate or professional program
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Must be enrolled at least half-time
• Must not have adverse credit history as determined by federal regulations
• Must not be in default on any student loan

Application: Must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note.

First time borrowers at KCU must complete online entrance counseling on StudentAid.gov.

Interest Rate and Loan Origination Fees:

View updated interest rates and loan origination fees on StudentAid.gov. 

Does the unsubsidized loan have to be repaid?

Yes. Repayment begins six months after graduation or when a student drops below half-time.

Award Maximum:

Graduate Students (BioS/MHS-AA): $20,500

Professional Students (COM/PsyD/Dental): $50,000

Need based: No

Enrollment: Must be enrolled at least half-time.

Repayment Options: You can learn more about loan repayment options available on StudentAid.gov. Students can also view loan repayment options using the Loan Simulator on StudentAid.gov.

Private loans help bridge the gap between the cost of education and the limited amount of federal financial aid available through federal loan programs.

Private loan approval is generally based on creditworthiness and ability to repay – for students; a credit-worthy, employed co-signer might be required (and is strongly encouraged to get the best rates and terms). 

Private loans cannot be consolidated with federal loans and will have different repayment options than those of federal loans.

How much can I borrow?

The amount you can borrow in a private loan is determined by the cost of attendance (COA) minus other financial aid, scholarships, and resources. The lender may have a loan minimum/maximum.

Example cost of attendance: $100,000

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: $50,000

The amount you can borrow in a Private Loan: $50,000

Applying for a Private Loan

For funds to be available for payment purposes, we recommend that applications be submitted by these priority dates:

• June 30 for the Fall semester.
• November 1 for the Spring semester.
• April 1 for Summer sessions.

Please note that the credit check performed by many lenders expires after 90 to 120 days. Therefore, you should not apply for a private loan more than three months before the start of the loan period. However, because of processing time, you should apply as soon as possible within the three-month window.

FastChoice

FastChoice is a tool that allows you to compare private loan options to identify the loan that will best meet your specific needs and then submit your application.

You can filter loan options based on interest rate type, APR, enrollment status, academic performance, non-degree, prior term balances, etc. Loan options for international students or non-citizens are also available through filtering in FastChoice.

The lenders and loan options presented in FastChoice include all lenders who made a loan at KCU within the last three years and elect to participate in the FastChoice platform.

The Private Loan Application Process

1. Research – You may research private loans with any lender. Before you apply for a private loan, first exhaust your eligibility for Federal loans. You may review a list of lenders that KCU students have used in the past on FastChoice. We also recommend reviewing our Private Student Loan Application Checklist. 

2. Disclosure Forms – Lenders must provide required disclosures to the student and co-signer, if applicable, at two different times during the private loan origination process:

• Application and Solicitation Disclosure – Provided during the online loan application process or via mail included with the Promissory note.
• Approval Disclosure – Provided after the loan is approved and the lender has received the promissory note, the Application and Solicitation Disclosure, the Borrower Self Certification Form and the school certification. 

What are the eligibility requirements?

These requirements may vary by lender but are the most common:

• Graduate/professional student in an eligible degree or certificate program
• Be a credit worthy borrower or borrower with a credit worthy co-signer
• You may be required to be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen

Tips to assist you:

• Prequalify and use soft credit pull on lender websites to see your credit. 
• Calculate the total amount of loan you want to borrow on school cost of attendance (COA). Your COA can be found in Workday when aid offers are available.
• Determine if you need a credit worth co-signer.