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Undergraduate Student Loan Information

CU Denver participates in the Federal William D. Ford Direct Loan program, and the U.S. Department of Education is the lender. A Federal Direct Loan may be Subsidized or Unsu​bsidized. Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students regardless of need. The amount and loan type you may be offered is based on your grade level, your previous borrowing, your cost of attendance and other financial aid you receive.

Read more about the Direct Loan Program.

Read more about Interest Rates and Loan Origination Fees.

Interest Rates for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans*

Loan Type

Interest Rate

First disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025

Interest Rate

First disbursed on or after July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
Undergrad Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans 6.53% 5.50%

* The rate for each loan is a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan.



Loan Origination Fees for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

An origination fee is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.

Loan Type

Origination Fee

First disbursed on or after October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2024

Origination Fee

First disbursed on or after October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023
Undergrad Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans 1.057% 1.057%

 

Direct Loan Borrower Annual and Lifetime Aggregate Loan Limits

Dependent Student Direct Loan Annual and Lifetime Aggregate Limits

YearAcademic Credits Passed
Annual Subsidized Limit Annual Unsubsidized Limit
Freshman0 - 29
$3,500$2,000
Sophomore30 - 59
$4,500$2,000
Junior+60+$5,500$2,000

Lifetime Limit: $31,000, of which, no more than $23,000 may be subsidized.


 

Independent Student Direct Loan Annual and Lifetime Aggregate Limits

YearAcademic Credits Passed
Annual Subsidized Limit Annual Unsubsidized Limit
Freshman0 - 29
$3,500$6,000
Sophomore30 - 59
$4,500$6,000
Junior+60+$5,500$7,000

Lifetime Limit: $57,500, of which, no more than $23,000 may be subsidized


Complete the Loan Process

One of the many benefits of Federal Direct Student Loans offered to undergraduates is that the loans are not credit-based. If you accept Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, you will have steps to complete each year. All loan requirements must be completed for the university to apply a loan to your CU Denver student account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Located in Lynx Central

CU Denver

Student Commons Building

1201 Larimer Street

#1107

Denver, CO 80204


FinancialAid@ucdenver.edu

303-315-5969

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