U.S. Federal Loan

The Financial Aid Office at The American University in Cairo (AUC) assists eligible U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs by administering U.S. Federal Direct Loans to help finance their education. Students attending AUC may be eligible to borrow through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

Because AUC is a foreign institution, certain federal student aid programs available at institutions located within the United States, including Federal Pell Grants and Federal Work-Study, are not available at AUC.

AUC is approved to certify the following federal loan programs for eligible students enrolled in degree-seeking programs:

• Direct Subsidized Loans
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Direct Parent PLUS Loans
• Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

Direct Subsidized Loans are available to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need as determined under federal student aid regulations. While a student is enrolled at least half-time, during the grace period, and during certain deferment periods, the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest that accrues on the loan.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students regardless of financial need. Borrowers are responsible for all interest that accrues on the loan.

Direct PLUS Loans are available to graduate and professional students (Graduate PLUS Loans) and to parents of dependent undergraduate students (Parent PLUS Loans). These loans may help cover educational expenses not met by other financial aid and require a credit check by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Direct Loans must be repaid with interest. Annual and aggregate loan limits apply and vary based on a student's academic level, dependency status, and other federal eligibility requirements.

Eligibility

To qualify for U.S. federal loan, a student enrolled at AUC must meet certain requirements in order to receive federal financial aid. 

Learn more about eligibility

Loans Limits, Cancellations and Repaying U.S. Federal Loans

Learn more about loan limits, cancellations and repaying U.S. Federal Loans

Summer Financial Aid

Degree-seeking students at AUC may be eligible to receive federal financial aid during the summer semester. However, summer aid availability is often limited because many students use their full annual federal loan eligibility during the fall and spring semesters.

Students interested in receiving summer financial aid must contact the Financial Aid Office and provide:

• Confirmation that they will be enrolled during the summer semester.
• The number of credits for which they are registered.

The Financial Aid Office will review the student's remaining federal aid eligibility and determine whether additional funding is available.

Award Letter - Funding Estimate 

Once your financial aid file has been reviewed and your eligibility has been determined, you will receive a Funding Estimate (Award Letter) through the Student Portal. The award letter will include:

• Types of federal aid offered
• Award amounts
• Anticipated disbursement dates

Students who wish to receive federal loans must review and electronically sign their Funding Estimate. An email notification will be sent when the award letter is available. Students should complete this step within 10 calendar days of receiving notification. You may accept all, part, or none of the loan amounts offered. If you wish to reduce or decline any portion of your loans, please notify the Financial Aid Office.

Financial aid awards may be revised if:

• Your residency status changes.
• Your enrollment status changes.
• You decline or reduce a loan award.
• You receive additional financial assistance or resources, such as scholarships, fellowships or private loans.
• Information reported on your FAFSA is corrected or updated.
• Additional information affecting your eligibility is received.

If you have questions about your award letter or would like to request changes to your financial aid package, contact the Financial Aid Office.