US Federal Aid

Foreign institutions who participate in the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program must adhere to specific regulations on loan eligibility. Unfortunately, we cannot process loans for the following courses or student types, which are ineligible for Title IV funding:

• Courses offered through distance learning
• Non-degree programmes, including two-year FdA programmes, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates, including the PGCE
• Four-year undergraduate courses with a placement year
• Programmes offered at St Mary’s Edinburgh location
• Incoming study abroad programmes. Incoming study abroad students should apply for funding through their home institution. Title IV recipients who want to participate in an outgoing study abroad programme for one semester as part of their St Mary’s degree should contact federalaid@stmarys.ac.uk to ask about their Title IV funding eligibility.
• Mature students without a secondary school completion credential or its equivalent.

To remain eligible for federal aid once you commence study, you must:

• Be enrolled and continue to be enrolled at least half-time. Part-time study is not permitted.
• Be a US Citizen or an Eligible non-citizen
• Possess a valid US Social Security Number
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Not exceed your aggregate loan limits – continuing students will be assessed annually.

All of the information on this page forms part of our consumer information. Please see the information below for further information useful to students receiving Title IV funding.

Student Financial Aid information

Please see other sections of this page for all terms and conditions relating to Title IV US Federal Aid, including the application process, an application checklist, eligibility requirements, loan terms, entrance counselling, exit counselling, how aid is disbursed, your rights and responsibilities, Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and links to loan information published by the US Department of Education.

You will find additional scholarship and funding information on our international scholarships and funding page.

Cost of Attendance

Our tuition fees page has full details of our fee rates for international students, while our budgeting and cost of living information will help you plan for other essential costs like accommodation, food, transportation and academic supplies.

2024/25 Cost of Attendance for the Title IV students

Refund Policy

Refunds are governed by St Mary’s Tuition Fee Refund Policy.

Requirements and Procedures for Official Withdrawal from the University

Applications to withdraw, transfer from or take a leave of absence from St Mary’s are submitted through the Student Portal. The policies governing all of these procedures, as well as the University’s Academic Regulations, are available on our Registry pages.

Student disciplinary procedures and complaints

Our student disciplinary procedures and complaints procedures are available on our website. The Students’ Union can also support students with disciplinary procedures and complaints. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Please see the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for details of SAP requirements for students with Title IV funding. Students must submit their Satisfactory Academic Progress Form in line with published deadlines. 

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

The Return of Title IV Funds Policy explains the procedures St Mary’s follows when Title IV students cease their enrolment prior to the end of a payment period.

Accrediting agencies and government bodies

St Mary’s University is recognised as a degree-awarding body and is listed in the Education (Recognised Bodies) (England) Order 2020.

Academic programmes at the institution

For information the programmes of study available, please see our Study at St Mary’s University page. Please note that not all programmes of study are eligible for Title IV funding.

Ineligible programmes

The following programmes are ineligible for Title IV funding at St Mary’s:

• Courses offered through distance learning
• Non-degree programmes, including two-year FdA programmes, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates, including the PGCE
• Four-year undergraduate courses with a placement year
• Programmes offered at St Mary’s Edinburgh location
• Incoming study abroad programmes.

Incoming study abroad students should apply for funding through their home institution. Title IV recipients who want to participate in an outgoing study abroad programme for one semester as part of their St Mary’s degree should contact federalaid@stmarys.ac.uk to ask about their Title IV funding eligibility.

Right to review educational records, data protection and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not apply in the UK. Instead, the UK has a similar piece of legislation called the Data Protection Act (DPA). Please see our Data Protection Policy for details of how St Mary’s complies with the DPA to protect your personal data.

Services and facilities for students with disabilities

St Mary’s Wellbeing Team provides support and advice for students with disabilities.

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

We will confirm your attendance online through the National Student Loan Data System as required by US Federal regulations.

Retention rates

Retention rates for all UK universities are published by HESA.

Careers and employability

For information on our diverse community, and to see how to get involved in our EDI efforts, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Textbooks

Please see the Moodle page for each of your modules to see what textbooks will be required. In most cases, readings and textbooks will be available for you to borrow in the Library. You can search the Library’s catalogue using Summon. Availability of resources is governed by our University Resource List Policy.

Copyright infringement and peer to peer file sharing

Please see the Library’s information on copyright, licencing and associated issues.

Fire safety

The University’s health and safety team publishes information on fire safety management.

Attendance monitoring

The University uses an electronic attendance monitoring system. Our Attendance Monitoring Policy sets out required attendance levels and the procedures followed when they are not met.

Drug and alcohol misuse

Please see the University’s Student Disciplinary Procedures for information on offences related to drug and alcohol use. Please be aware that under the US Higher Education Act, students may become ineligible for US Federal Aid upon conviction of any offence involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs while receiving Title IV funding, including US Federal Direct Loans and US Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Please see the FAFSA website for full details.

Once your FAFSA application has been processed you will be emailed a copy of your FSS. Please review this information carefully and ensure that it includes a Student Aid Index (SAI) and the details of any previous loans.

Things to look out for in your FSS:

• Any missing information or comments stating further information is required; you'll need to make corrections and re-submit your application.
• If there is an error on your FSS further information will be required; check the comment codes and make any necessary corrections.
• In some cases we may need to ask you to provide documentary evidence, for example we may ask you for proof of US citizenship.

Loan repayment

Information on repaying your student loans can be found on the Student Aid website.

For US Federal Aid, St Mary’s University deems you ‘graduated’ once you stop attending full-time study. Therefore, you will be registered as a ‘graduated student’ and your loans will enter into repayment when you finish attending full-time classes.

Satisfactory academic progress

You will have to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and remain in at least half-time study throughout the course of your programme to remain eligible for federal loans. The University will check your progress twice a year, before each disbursement, through the completion of a Satisfactory Academic Progress form. Please make sure to check the St Mary's SAP Policy.

Change in student status

If you withdraw, graduate or drop below half-time study you will no longer be eligible for further federal loans at St Mary's University. This will mean that your federal loans will enter into repayment and any remaining disbursements will have to be cancelled (if applicable). You may need to return a portion of your unearned loan.

Exit counselling

If you withdraw, graduate or drop below half-time study you will need to complete exit counselling, which can be found on the Student Loans website.

Origination fees for loans disbursed

• Direct Stafford loan (sub/ unsub): 1.057%
• Direct Parent Plus: 4.228%
• Direct Graduate Plus: 4.228%

September 2024/25 intake

• Disbursement one: 4th October 2024
• Disbursement two: 13th February 2025
• Disbursement three: 6th June 2025

September PhD 2024/25 intake

• Disbursement one: 4th October 2024
• Disbursement two: 11th April 2025

January 2024/25 intake

• Disbursement one: 13th February 2025
• Disbursement two: 6th June 2025
• Disbursement three: 2nd October 2025

The disbursement date is not the date that you will have access to your loan. The disbursement date is the day that the loan will be added to your student ledger to cover the costs for tuition and where appropriate accommodation. If there is a cash excess/ refund, this will be paid to you 10 days after the disbursement date.

Please note: You must ensure that you have enough funds to cover your expenses for the first 4-6 weeks of the semester before your loan is paid to you. You must be fully registered and present on campus before your loans can be drawn down. If you late are in arriving and/or completing your registration, your loan will be delayed. Please bear this in mind.