Messiah University students will receive their Federal Student Stafford Loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program, administered by the Department of Education.
How Do I Apply for a Federal Stafford Loan?
Federal Stafford Loan Information for all Incoming, New, Transfer and Continuing students:
To obtain a Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: All students who file a 2025-2026 FAFSA will be offered a Federal Direct Stafford Loan on their financial aid award notice, which can be accepted or declined on the student's Self-Service menu in Falconlink. All accepted loans will be created with the Department of Education in mid-July. If you decline the Stafford Loan and later in the semester decide you need Stafford Loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
After the Stafford Loan is processed in mid-July, you should receive a Loan Disclosure Statement from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program detailing the terms and conditions of your Federal Stafford Loan.
At that point, you MUST complete the following: Loan Entrance Counseling (LEC) and Master Promissory Note (MPN) requirements online at www.studentaid.gov. The student will log in using their FSA ID.
ONLY the student can complete the LEC and MPN requirements at www.studentaid.gov. Parents: This is a legal obligation on the part of the student and you cannot complete these items for the student.
If you had a Federal Direct Stafford Loan with the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program in the past, you do not need to sign a new Master Promissory Note (MPN); an MPN is valid for 10 years. If you have not had a William D. Ford Federal Direct Stafford Loan in the past, or you are unsure about having a William D. Ford Federal Direct Stafford Loan in the past, please be sure to complete the Loan Entrance Counseling (LEC) and Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentaid.gov.
Federal Stafford Loan eligibility is as follows:
- Dependent first-year students are eligible for $5,500;
- Dependent sophomores are eligible for $6,500;
- Dependent juniors and/or dependent seniors are eligible for $7,500.
These figures are combined subsidized and unsubsidized loan amounts.
When a Federal Stafford Loan disburses for payment to a student's account, the government origination fee will be subtracted from the initial loan amount. Therefore, the disbursement amount will be slightly lower on the student's account statement.
What are the Terms and Conditions of a Federal Stafford Loan for the academic year 2024/2025?
(Interest rates and origination fees are reported for the 2024-25 year because figures for the 2025-26 year will not be available until later in the year. Check back here in mid-summer for updated figures.)
- Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans (no interest accrues while in school but WILL accrue during the 6-month grace period.): For the academic year of 2024-2025, there is a fixed interest rate of 6.53% for undergraduates.
- Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (interest accrues while in school AND during the 6-month grace period.): For the academic year of 2024-2025, there is a fixed interest rate of 6.53% for undergraduates.
- The government origination fees taken off the disbursed amounts of the Federal Stafford loans for the 2024-2025 academic year are as follows: 1.057%
- There is an interest rate reduction of 0.25% for borrowers who elect automatic debit of monthly payments.
After the Federal Stafford Loan has been created, a Disclosure Statement from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program will be mailed to the student at the address provided on the FAFSA. This statement details all the terms and conditions of the Federal Stafford Loan.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office at 717-691-6007, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.