Delta State University Grants & Loans

Understanding Grants & Loans: Resources for Financing Your Education

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but Delta State is committed to making sure your education is both personal and affordable. Grants and loans opportunities are valuable financial aid resources that can help you and your family manage the cost of your degree. Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid, while loans are also federally awarded and must be repaid with interest—though typically at low rates and not until after graduation. Graduate students and parents may also be eligible to apply for PLUS Loans. Our Financial Aid team is here to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have along the way.

8,177

Average Need-Based Award Per Year

5M

Institutional Financial Aid Awarded Each Year

100

of Students Pay In-State Tuition

Delta State Grant Options

Grants are funds awarded by the federal government to help students pay for college—and the best part is, they don’t have to be repaid. To be considered for grants, you must file the FAFSA and meet certain eligibility requirements. To renew your aid each year, you’ll need to refile the FAFSA . Filing the FAFSA early ensures you can make informed decisions about the cost of your Delta State education.

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are need-based awards provided to undergraduate students to help cover the cost of college. The amount awarded depends on your financial circumstances. Eligible students may receive a Pell Grant for up to 12 semesters (approximately six years).

Learn About Pell Grants

FSEOG

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded by participating schools such as Delta State to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. These grants provide additional aid to students with the greatest need and do not have to be repaid. At Delta State, FSEOG awards typically range from $100 to $600 per year, depending on available funding and student eligibility.

Learn About FSEOG

Delta State Loan Options

Loans are funds that you borrow to help cover the cost of your education and must be repaid with interest. Delta State students have access to several types of loan options, including those for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Parent PLUS Loans for families supporting their student’s education. Explore the loan options below to find what best fits your financial needs and goals.

Federal Direct Loans

Federal Direct Loans are low-interest loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education to help students pay for college, with repayment typically not required until after graduation. To be considered, you must complete the FAFSA and meet certain eligibility requirements. Once approved, you’ll need to complete a Master Promissory Note, and to renew your aid each year at Delta State, be sure to file the FAFSA annually and complete both your Loan Entrance Counseling and a new Master Promissory Note if needed.

Subsidized Stafford Loans

Subsidized Stafford Loans (also known as Direct Subsidized Loans) are available to part-time and full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. These loans have a variable interest rate capped at 8.25%, but the government covers the interest while you’re enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester. This makes them a more affordable borrowing option while you’re actively pursuing your degree.

Learn About Subsidized Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students regardless of financial need. These loans have a variable interest rate capped at 8.25%, and interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed—even while you’re still in school. Multiple repayment plans are available to help students manage repayment after graduation.

Learn About Unsubsidized Loans

How Much Can I Borrow? Direct Loan Maximums

Wondering how much you can borrow through federal direct loans? Explore the maximum annual and lifetime limits—but keep in mind that many students do not qualify for the full amount based on factors such as financial need, dependency status, and year in school.

Dependent Undergraduates

Classification Subsidized Unsubsidized Total (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
Freshmen $3,500 $2,000 $5,500
Sophomore $4,500 $2,000 $6,500
Junior, Senior $5,500 $2,000 $7,500

Independent Undergraduates

Classification Subsidized Unsubsidized Total (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
Freshmen $3,500 $6,000 $9,500
Sophomore $4,500 $6,000 $10,500
Junior, Senior $5,500 $7,000 $12,500

Plus Loans

PLUS Loans are federal loans designed to help graduate students and parents of undergraduate students cover the cost of education. To apply, users must complete the PLUS Loan Application. Once approved, borrowers are required to sign the PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note. Delta State will certify the loan and forward it to the U.S. Department of Education, with funds disbursed directly to the university at the start of the semester.

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is available to graduate or professional students who are enrolled at least part-time. This loan can help cover education expenses not met by other financial aid. Like other federal loans, it requires a credit check and completion of a PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note.

Explore the Graduate PLUS Loan

Federal Parent PLUS Loan

The Federal Parent PLUS Loan allows parents to borrow funds to help pay for the education expenses of their dependent undergraduate child enrolled at least part-time. This loan can cover costs not already covered by the student’s financial aid package. Parents must complete the PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note to receive funds.

Explore the Parent PLUS Loan

Alternative Loans

Alternative loans, also known as private loans, are available to students who need additional funding beyond what federal, state, and institutional aid can provide. These loans are offered by private lenders and typically come with higher interest rates, so they should be considered only after all other forms of aid have been exhausted. Delta State does not endorse any specific lender, but we recommend using FASTChoice to compare loan options and find the best fit for your financial needs. Always explore all available resources before turning to private loans.

Documents & Resources

As a student loan borrower, you have important rights and responsibilities to understand before accepting aid. Explore the resources below to learn more, including Delta State’s Student Loan Code of Conduct and your Borrower Rights & Responsibilities.

Borrower Rights & Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Borrowing a student loan warrants responsibilities.

Repay the Loan. When a promissory note is signed, an agreement is made to repay the loan according to the terms of the note. The note is a binding legal document and states that, except in cases of discharge, the borrower must repay the loan–even if education is not completed, a job is not received after completing the program, or the borrower is dissatisfied with, or does not receive the education paid for. Consider this obligation before borrowing. If a loan is not repaid on time or according to the terms in the promissory note, the borrower may go into default, which has very serious consequences.

Voluntary Payments. Payments must be made on a loan even if a bill or repayment notice is not received. A borrower is obligated to make payments even if a notice is not received. Billing statements (or coupon books) are sent as a convenience.

Deferment. If applying for a deferment or forbearance, a borrower must continue to make payments until notified that the request has been granted. The loan may go in default if payments are not made during the process. A copy of any submitted request forms should be kept. The borrower should document all contacts with the organization that holds your loan.

Notification of Status. Upon graduation, university withdrawal, or a drop below part time status, a borrower must notify the appropriate representative (school, agency, or lender) that manages the loan. If a change of name, address, Social Security Number, or transfer to another school occurs, the representative should be contacted. If borrowing a Perkins Loan, the loan will be managed by the school that lends the money or by an agency that the school assigns to service the loan. If borrowing a FFEL Program Loan, it will be managed by the lender or its servicing agent.

Entrance Counseling. Regardless of the type of federal loan borrowed, entrance counseling must be completed prior to a first loan disbursement. Exit counseling must be completed before leaving school. These counseling sessions will be administered by Delta State and will provide important information about loans. Additional information about a loan will be provided by the lender.


Rights

Borrowers have certain rights.

Prior to a loan disbursement, the following information about a loan from the school or lender will be received:

  • full amount of the loan
  • interest rate
  • loan repayment date
  • effect of eligibility for other types of financial aid
  • a complete list of any charges that must be paid (loan fees) and information on how those charges are collected
  • yearly and total amounts available to borrow
  • maximum repayment periods and the minimum repayment amount
  • explanation of default and consequences
  • explanation of available options for consolidating or refinancing a loan
  • statement of loan prepayment without penalty

Before leaving school, the following loan information will be received from the school or lender:

  • Amount of total debt (principal and estimated interest), interest rate, and the total interest charges on a loan
  • Expected fees during repayment, such as late charges and collection or litigation costs upon loan delinquency or default
  • Explanation of available options for consolidating or refinancing a loan
  • Statement of loan prepayment without penalty.
  • The following information will be provided for FFEL Stafford Loan holders during exit counseling:
    • name of the holding lender or agency,
    • where to send payments
    • where to write or call with questions
    • description of current loans, including the average monthly anticipated payments
      description of applicable deferment, forbearance, and discharge provisions
      repayment options
    • debt management advice
    • notification that the following must be provided: expected permanent address, name and address of your expected employer, address of next-of-kin, and any corrections to school’s records concerning borrower’s name, Social Security Number, references, and driver’s license number
  • Right of grace period before repayment begins (Parents may not receive a grace period for a PLUS Loan.) A grace period begins when the borrower leaves school or drops below part-time status. The grace period length is shown on the promissory note.
  • Loan repayment schedule from school, lender, and/or the Direct Loan Servicing Center (as appropriate) stating the date that first payment is due, the number and frequency of payments, and the amount of each payment
  • Summary of deferment, forbearances, and discharge (cancellation) provisions, including the conditions under which the U.S. Department of Defense may repay the loan.

Parents that borrow a FFEL Program Loan must be notified when a loan is sold if the sale results in making payments to a new lender or agency. The old and new lender or agency must notify the borrower of the sale. The identity of the new lender or agency holding the loan, payment address, and contact information must be provided. (This does not apply to Perkins Loan borrowers.)

Student Loan Code of Conduct

In compliance with the Student Loan Code of Conduct requirements outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Delta State University Financial Aid Office prohibits all of the following:

  • Assigning a lender to a borrower or refusing to certify a loan for a borrower’s choice of lender or guarantor
  • Accepting from lenders any staffing assistance for the financial aid office
  • Revenue sharing agreements with lenders
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Accepting gifts above a nominal value from lenders or guarantors
  • Accepting private loans conditioned on the use of a lender’s Title IV loans
  • Contracting arrangements with a lender that provides compensation to school students

For the following purposes, it is not considered a “gift” to the school for a lender or guarantor to provide:

  • Standard materials, activities or programs on issues related to a loan, default aversion, default prevention or financial literacy (i.e. brochurers, workshops, training).
  • Food, refreshments, training or informational material that is designed to improve the service of a lender, guarantor, or servicer if the training contributes to the professional development of the school staff.
  • Favorable terms, conditions and borrower benefits, as long as these are provided to all students at the school.
  • Entrance and exit counseling services, as long as the school controls the counseling and does not promote the products and services of the lender.
  • Philanthropic contributions not tied to loan volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many of your questions about grants and loans may be answered below. Our goal is to provide clear and helpful information to guide you through the financial aid process at Delta State.

When should I file the FAFSA?

State and federal applications open October 1. All students should submit a FAFSA. Mississippi residents should submit a state aid application.

What are my grant and loan options at Delta State?

The FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for federal aid, which includes Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, Subsidized Loan, and Unsubsidized Loans.  If additional aid is needed, students can apply for alternative student loans, or the parent can apply for a Parent PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov.

How do I know what types of financial aid I'm eligible to receive?

Once DSU receives your FAFSA, we will determine your eligibility for federal aid, which includes Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, Subsidized Loan, and Unsubsidized Loans.  We will update your financial aid page in myDSUonline. You will receive an award notification to your Okramail when updates are made to your awards.

Who can I contact with questions about grants and loans?

Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 662-846-4670 of finaid@deltastate.edu with questions.

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