Student / Parent Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
The Direct Subsidized Loan is available to students with financial need. The loans are funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The interest for a subsidized loan is paid by the government while the student remains enrolled in at least half-time as well as during the first six months after the student leaves school. Students need to start repaying this loan six months after graduation, or if the student drops below half-time enrollment. The interest rate is fixed at 6.52% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2026, and will not change for the life of the loan.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct Loans are student’s loans that are funded by the U.S Department of Education. The interest rate of the unsubsidized loan and the interest is NOT paid by the federal government while the student is enrolled. The interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid-in-full. Students can pay the interest while in school, or it will be added to the principal balance of the loan when entering repayment. Repayment begins six months after graduation, or after the student drops below half-time enrollment. The interest rate is fixed at 6.52% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2026, and will not change for the life of the loan.

 A 1.057% origination fee will be deducted from the loan proceeds.

Direct Loan Entrance Counseling + MPN
This is a requirement that all first-time direct loan borrowers must complete prior to receiving loan funds. Entrance counseling prepares students for responsible borrowing and proper repayment of their loans. The counseling and master promissory note may be completed online. The master promissory note outlines the terms of the loan.

***Less than Full-Time Enrollment: Starting with the 2026–27 award year, which begins with the Fall 2026 term at GVU, Direct Loan amounts for students who are not full-time for the full academic year will need to be prorated based on the number of credits the student is enrolled for. Full-time enrollment is determined by term and by the academic year. This adjustment rule applies to all undergraduate and graduate student loan borrowers utilizing Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, and/or Graduate PLUS Loans. • Even those students considered legacy borrowers who have borrowed from any of these loan programs prior to July 1, 2026 are subject to this rule.

Annual Maximum Loan Amounts for Undergraduate Students:

• $5,500 First Year
• $6,500 Sophomore status
• $7,500 Junior status
• $7,500 Senior status

Aggregate Loan Limit for Undergraduate Students:

• $31,000 Dependent Student
• $57,500 Independent Student

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026 NEW ANNUAL AND AGGREGATE LOAN LIMITS APPLY TO PARENT PLUS LOANS.

New maximum amounts:

• Annual limit is $20,000 per dependent
• Aggregate limit is $65,000 per dependent

Legacy Provision for parent PLUS borrowers to continue borrowing PLUS Loans under the previous loan limits, their student must have been enrolled at Grand View in the Spring 2026 semester and remain enrolled at Grand View in the Fall 2026 semester.

And

The parent borrower must have previously borrowed a parent PLUS Loan for their dependent student at Grand View University.

Or

The student must have borrowed a Direct Loan (subsidized or unsubsidized) at Grand View University.

If the above requirements are met, the new parent PLUS Loan limits do not apply while the student is completing their program, for up to the earlier of three academic years or the student’s time to credential, provided the student remains continuously enrolled.

This loan program allows parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow up to the amount equal to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid received.

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is subject to a credit check. In the case of adverse credit, the borrower may apply with a credit worthy co-signer.

The interest rate for loans originated after July 1, 2026, is fixed at 9.07% and interest charges begin to accrue at disbursement.  

Repayment begins within 60 days of disbursement, or the parent can defer repayment for up to six months after the student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment.

Parents can apply online with their FSA ID and password they used on their students FAFSA.  Approved PLUS Loans will also require a completed Master Promissory Note.

A 4.228% origination fee will be deducted from the loan proceeds.

*Undergraduate dependent students whose parents are denied a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan can borrow additional Unsubsidized Direct Loans in the following amounts: First year $4,000; Sophomore $4,000; Junior $5,000; Senior $5,000.

Unsubsidized Direct Loan Program
The Unsubsidized Direct Loan is not need-based, and the government does not pay interest on this loan. Graduate students will have an 8.07% fixed interest rate.  While not required, it is recommended that the borrower makes payments on interest while in school. Graduate students are eligible for up to $20,500 per year in the Unsubsidized Direct Loan program depending on eligibility.

A 1.057% origination fee will be deducted from the loan proceeds.

Direct Loan Entrance Counseling + MPN
This is a requirement that all first-time direct loan borrowers must complete prior to receiving loan funds. Entrance counseling prepares students for responsible borrowing and proper repayment of their loans. The counseling and master promissory note may be completed online. The master promissory note outlines the terms of the loan.

Aggregate Loan Limit for Graduate Students:

• $138,500 for Legacy Graduate Students
• $100,000 new Graduate Student Borrowers after July 1, 2026

Graduate Plus Loan

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026 NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS CAN NO LONGER APPLY FOR A GRADUATE PLUS LOAN.

Legacy Provision for Graduate PLUS Loan if you had a Federal Direct Loan including Grad PLUS Loan in the Spring 2026 semester at Grand View and remain enrolled in the same program of study in the Fall 2026 semester.

If the above requirements are met, the new Graduate PLUS Loan limits do not apply while the student is completing their program, for up to the earlier of three academic years or the student’s time to credential, provided the student remains continuously enrolled.

A grad plus loan is a type of federal student loan for graduate and professional students to finance their education, including living expenses. It is a part of the direct PLUS loan program from the U.S. Department of Education. It requires a credit check and has a higher interest rate (9.07%) than a direct unsubsidized loan. It allows students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus other financial aid, including the unsubsidized direct loan. It has flexible repayment plans.

Legacy students can apply online with their FSA ID and password they used on their FAFSA.  Approved PLUS Loans will also require a completed Master Promissory Note.

A 4.228% origination fee will be deducted from the loan proceeds.

Student Loans for Graduate Students

***Less than Full-Time Enrollment: Starting with the 2026–27 award year, which begins with the Fall 2026 term at GVU, Direct Loan amounts for students who are not full-time for the full academic year will need to be prorated based on the number of credits the student is enrolled for. Full-time enrollment is determined by term and by the academic year. This adjustment rule applies to all undergraduate and graduate student loan borrowers utilizing Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, and/or Graduate PLUS Loans. • Even those students considered legacy borrowers who have borrowed from any of these loan programs prior to July 1, 2026 are subject to this rule.

Private education loans are available to help families fill the gap in paying for college. They should never be your primary funding source. Exhaust all of your other options including our no interest payment plan, savings, summer work, work study and outside scholarships before you borrow any type of private education loan.

All of the information provided below is reviewed annually to ensure that the lenders listed continue to adhere to our criteria. Any loan options that no longer adhere to our criteria are removed, and new loan options are added.

You are free to select any lender you choose, including those not presented. If you choose a lender that is not presented, please follow the provided instructions to complete the application process. Application processing will not be delayed unnecessarily if you choose a lender not presented.

Our officials are prohibited from accepting any financial or other benefits in exchange for displaying lenders and loan options in FASTChoice. Prohibited activities include:

• receiving compensation to serve on any lender board of directors or advisory boards;
• accepting gifts including trips, meals, and entertainment;
• allowing lenders to staff our institution's financial aid office;
• allowing lenders to place our institution's name or logo on any of their products;
• and owning of lenders' stock (for college officials who make financial decisions for our institution).

Some things to consider before selecting a private loan:

• Accept all grant, scholarship and federal funding before applying for a private loan.
• Private loans usually take anywhere between 2-6 weeks to process so begin the process as early as possible.
• Most loans require a credit-worthy cosigner if the main applicant does not meet all the credit criteria.
• Only borrow what you will need for the school year
• Any other questions, please contact the Financial Aid office at (515) 263-2820.

The lenders and loan options presented in FASTChoice are composed of all lenders used by Grand View students within the last 3 years. Grand View believes that the choice of a private loan lender is a decision you must make. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each loan product to find the one that best meets your needs. Some questions to examine when determining what private loan product to choose are:

• Does the loan require a co-signer?
• Is there a co-signer release option?
• How much is the origination fee?
• How much is the interest rate?
• When does loan repayment begin?

Your Next Steps
After completing the loan application, your lender may require you to submit income and tax documentation. Federal regulations also require you to view and accept additional disclosures after the loan is approved.

Your loan funds will not be sent to the school and your loan will be canceled if the additional steps listed below are not completed in a timely manner.

1. View and accept your Approval Disclosure
2. View your Final Disclosure
3. Complete a Private Loan Self-Certification Form

Some forgivable loans are available to Iowa residents that meet specific guidelines upon graduation.

Teachers

• Iowa teacher shortage loan forgiveness program
• Iowa Student Loan teacher loan forgiveness program
• Federal teacher loan forgiveness program

Nurses

• Iowa nursing loan forgiveness program
• Iowa Student Loan nursing loan forgiveness program
• Federal (HRSA) Nursing Loan repayment program