Direct (Government) Education Loans

Direct (government) education loans fall under the jurisdiction of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Direct Loan Program. Federal direct education loans are low-interest loans intended to help students and parents pay for a college education.

Direct (government) education loans should be your first source to fund your education. Alternative education loans are to be used to provide additional funding for your education after federal loans are sought. In order for you to understand the specifics of the loan you will need, you should meet with a student financial aid officer at Western State. This officer can develop a student financial aid plan based on your specific set of circumstances.

The direct education loan program offers the following types of loans:

Unsubsidized: not based on financial need; interest is charged during all periods, even during the time a student is in school and during grace and deferment periods.
Graduate PLUS: unsubsidized loans for graduate/professional students. Graduate PLUS loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods.
Consolidation: Eligible federal student loans can be combined into one direct consolidation loan.

You borrow direct education loans from the Federal government, and the direct loan servicing center becomes your single source for managing the repayment of your loans. For general information, visit the direct loan program site.

This site will provide you with information about loan limits, regardless of whether you are a dependent student applying for a loan with your parents or an independent student applying for a loan without your parents’ help. Before you apply for a direct education loan, you must schedule a meeting with a student financial aid officer who can develop a student financial aid plan based on your specific set of circumstances.

Remember: Your first step in the financial aid process is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. If you need more information about completing the FAFSA form, visit our Financial Aid Resources Page. Or, if you have not yet completed your FAFSA form, this link will get you started.

See WSUprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

Prospective Students

RSVP required for all events!
Please send RSVP to wsursvp@wsulaw.edu with the name and date of the event in the subject line. More details will be emailed to you once your RSVP is received!

BE A LAW STUDENT FOR A DAY

Sit in on a class, take a tour with our friendly advisers, and have lunch with current Western State students!

Wednesday, January 30
Tuesday, February 26
Thursday, March 28
Wednesday, April 17

PREPARING FOR THE PRACTICE OF LAW

Where your academic preparation meets practical experience!

Western State College of Law
Saturday, February 23
from 9:00am - 2:00pm

Law is an exciting and challenging field—do you have what it takes to succeed in today’s legal market? Are you up to the rigorous academics of law school and the demands of a career in law?

Join us for this dynamic workshop to:

• Hear how our students acquire skills, hands-on experience, and make contacts to prepare for practice after law school
• Learn about exciting externship opportunities in various fields of law
• Hear from a panel of current law students and recent grads
• Meet and network with faculty members, current students and alumni

Lunch will be provided! An optional school tour will be given after lunch.

RSVP requiredby February 15, 2013 for this event. Please RSVP to 714.459.1101 or email wsursvp@wsulaw.edu.

WEBINARS

The Admissions Process | Thursday, February 28
Financial Aid Planning & Scholarships | Wednesday, March 13
Career Development: Western’s Programs | Thursday, April 25
Getting Ready for Law School | Wednesday, May 22
*All webinars take place from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Western State College of Law