To receive federal loans for either the DMD, PASS, Advanced Education Specialty programs, or a Graduate Degree you must hold U.S. citizenship or be an eligible noncitizen.
Learn more from Student Registration & Financial Services »
It is important to remember that your credit history is one of the most important factors used in determining your loan eligibility. Most loan programs require some form of credit evaluation. If you have defaulted on a previous educational loan, you may not be eligible for future loans.
Non Need-based Federal Loan Opportunities
DMD, advanced standing DMD, advanced education specialty residents and graduate students will be considered for non-need based Federal loans if they are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. More information on loans is available on the Student Financial Services website.
For eligible students applying for only the Federal Direct Loan and the Direct PLUS Loan should file just the FAFSA application. No additional forms are required and parental information is not required.
Direct Loan
The Federal Direct loan program enables all full-time DMD students to borrow between $40,500 and $47,166, depending on their year in school. Graduate Dental Education (GDE) and Master students’ eligibility maximum is $20,500. Maximum aggregate eligibility is $224,000 including undergraduate borrowing.
New students matriculating on or after July 1, 2026 fall under new federal financial aid regulations that limit Direct Loan eligibility to no more than $50,000 per year for DMD and advanced standing DMD students. Maximum aggregate eligibility is $200,000.
Direct Loan eligibility for advanced education specialty residents and graduate students remains unchanged at $20,500 per year. Maximum aggregate eligibility is $100,000 not including undergraduate loans.
The Federal Direct Loan is unsubsidized, with interest accruing from the date of disbursement. The interest rate is set annually every July 1. The Federal government charges an origination fee for money borrowed.
Direct PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct PLUS loan program enables full-time students to borrow up to the cost of attendance. The entire loan is unsubsidized, with interest accruing from the date of disbursement. The interest rate is set annually every July 1 for the academic year and is fixed for the life of the loan. The federal government charges an origination fee for money borrowed. This federal loan program is no longer available to new students matriculating on or after July 1, 2026.
Private Educational/Alternative Loans
Alternative loan options include private educational loan programs, typically with variable interest rates (although some lenders do offer fixed rate loans).
International students may borrow private educational loans with an approved U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer. The loan is unsubsidized with interest accruing from the date of disbursement.
Don’t forget to review the information in our general scholarships section for additional information on scholarship opportunities, government resources and loan forgiveness programs.