Student Loans

Highline participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, which is available to students who complete the Financial Aid Application Process using the FAFSA.

Students who are required to use the WASFA application do not qualify for student loans.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans

The Subsidized Loan is a need-based loan.  The US government will pay the interest accruing on the loan while a student is enrolled at least half-time. This is a guaranteed loan, meaning that you do not need to have a good credit score or collateral to obtain this loan.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

The Unsubsidized Loan is a non-need-based loan.  Students are expected to make interest payments on this loan while they are in school, which usually doesn’t exceed $20 per month. This is a guaranteed loan, meaning that you do not need to have a good credit score or collateral to obtain this loan.

Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan have limits

Loan limits are based on dependency status as determined on your FAFSA. Dependent students were required to provide parental information on the FAFSA, while Independent students did not need to provide parental information on the FAFSA.

Limits	Dependent Student	Independent Student
Lifetime Limit	$31,000 total, $23,000 subsidized	$57,500 total, $23,000 subsidized
Year 1 (6-45 credits)	$5,500, $3,500 subsidized	$9,500, $3,500 subsidized
Year 2 (46-90 credits)	$6,500, $4,500 subsidized	$10,500, $4,500 subsidized
Year 3+ (91+ credits)	$7,500, $5,500 subsidized	$12,500, $5,500 subsidized

Interest Rates, Grace Period, and Repayment

The current interest rate on both Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans is: 5.50%

• Students who received the Unsubsidized Loan are responsible for making interest payments each month but do not have to begin repaying the principal until after they graduate or drop below half-time.
• Grace Period is a 6-month period where the student doesn’t have to begin paying on the principal of the loan. The Grace Period allows the borrower to connect with their Loan Servicer, select a repayment option, and prepare for repayment to begin.
• Repayment begins after the Grace Period expires. Borrowers will begin paying back both the interest and principal on the loan. Most loan repayment terms are for 10 years or less, though there are repayment options that can extend longer.

Applying for a Student Loan

After you receive your Financial Aid Offer Letter and complete the Mandatory After Award Letter Presentation, you must come in person to the Financial Aid Office to complete the Student Loan Request Form. The form is available in person only and requires you to present a current government‑issued ID.

Please plan for approximately one hour to complete the form and all required steps during your visit. See our open Office hours on left of this page.

During the online portion of the loan process, you will be taken to the following sites:

• U.S. Department of Education’s website to complete the Entrance Counseling (mandatory borrower training). 
  
• This training explains your rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower including the Master Promissory Note (MPN) (your legally binding promise to repay your loans).

If you would like to speak with an Advisor to get your questions about loans answered, you can also make an appointment through Watermark. (How to schedule an appointment.)

Getting Your Loan Funds

Your Loans will disburse like all other types of financial aid. View How Aid is Awarded for more information on how your aid will be disbursed.

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA

Find out how much financial aid you may qualify for to fund your education.