<p>I understand that your EFC contribution has to be under a certain threshold to qualify for the need-based subsidized Stafford loan. However, I thought you did not have to show need for the unsubsidized Stafford loan. One of the schools (large public state university) that my daughter might attend is telling me that you must qualify for the unsubsidized loan too. Is that correct? Two private universities (ie - much high COE) she has been accepted to have sent FA letters offering her both the subsidized and unsubsized Stafford loans.</p>
<p>If she is not offered the unsubsized Stafford loan at the public university, I guess our option then become Parent Plus loans? The FA office at the large public university was not very helpful or polite whereas the private university FA offices have been more than helpful and polite (no surpise I guess!).</p>
<p>You dont have to show need for the unsub loan. Your correct.</p>
<p>That’s what I thought. I guess I’ll just have to call the university back and “fight” with them. We probably won’t need the loan - but I’d at least like to know that it is an option if necessary.</p>
<p>You should also be able to adjust that yearly.</p>
<p>I know I had to notify my DD2’s school to let them know we wanted to apply for the unsub Stafford for her.</p>
<p>Just a note: Subsidized eligibility is not really based on your EFC. It’s determined by Cost of Attendance - all need based aid (grants and scholarships and often work study). You will be offered sub Stafford up to the difference or the maximum for year in school ($3500 freshman year), whichever is smaller.</p>
<p>You will be eligible for unsub Stafford if COA-all aid (grants, scholarships, work study, sub loans) is greater than 0. It is possible that the person with whom you spoke was someone not really familiar with financial aid … some schools have enrollment specialists who are not all that well-versed in finaid, or they may have student workers or “new” employees who are not fully trained. </p>
<p>It is true that some schools do not include unsub loans in their award packages, but students are able to borrow them if they ask.</p>