Loans & Loan Counseling
Loans are money you borrow that must be repaid with interest.
The cost of attendance may be offset by other forms of financial assistance, such as scholarships, grants and work study. Loans can help with the rest.
Cal Lutheran participates in multiple low-interest federal loan programs for students and their families. Eligibility for federal loans require a FAFSA to be completed each year.
In addition to Federal Direct Loans to students, there are also private student loans available for further financing.
Find out what types of loans are available for you:
Cal Lutheran participates in multiple low-interest federal loan programs for students and their families. Eligibility for federal loans require a FAFSA to be completed each year. In addition to these direct federal loans to students, there are also private loans available for further financing.
Federal Student Loans
No credit check
Federal Direct Student Loans are made available when you complete a FAFSA. The amount available depends on your grade level, and there may be an option to add an additional loan if your parents did not qualify for a Parent PLUS loan.
Parent PLUS Loans
Credit check required
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan is made available to the parents of dependent undergraduate students who complete a FAFSA. Effective July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS loans will be limited to $20,000 annually and $65,000 total per child.
Private Student Loans
Credit check required
Private student loans are offered by third-party, private lenders and have fixed or variable interest rates which depend on the borrower's credit, co-signer's credit, and the loan market.
Compare Undergraduate Loans
| Loan | Borrower | Interest Rate* | Year Max** | Lifetime Max | Credit Check? | Repayment Grace Period | Fee?*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan | Student | 6.39% | Up to $7,500 (Seniors) | $31,000 | No | 6 months | Yes |
| Additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan | Student | 6.39% | Up to $5,000 (Seniors) | $26,500 | No | 6 months | Yes |
| Direct Parent PLUS Loan | Parent | 8.94% | Cannot exceed COA | None | Yes | 60 days | Yes |
| Private Student Loan | Student, Parent | Varies by lender | Up to COA | None | Yes | None | Yes |
*Fixed interest rate; current percentage reflects 2025-2026; changes each year
**The total amount of financial aid, including loans, cannot exceed Cost of Attendance
(COA), as determined by Cal Lutheran each year.
***Fees are subtracted from the disbursed monies each term and are typically calculated
as a % of the amount disbursed.
Cal Lutheran participates in multiple low-interest federal loan programs for bachelors for professional students returning to school to complete their degree. Eligibility for federal loans require a FAFSA to be completed each year. In addition to these direct federal loans to students, there are also private loans available for further financing.
Federal Student Loans
No credit check
The Direct Loan is a federal loan offered to students based on FAFSA determined financial-need. The maximum awarded per year depends on your grade level, with the option to add an additional loan amount.
No credit check is required for the Direct Loan, which typically carries the lowest interest rates available. Interest on the loan begins accruing as soon as the first of the funds are distributed to Cal Lutheran, but if you qualify for the subsidized version of the loan, the government will pay that interest while you're in school. You can decide to delay repayment of your loan until up to 6 months after leaving school.
Private Student Loans
Credit check required
Private student loans are offered by third-party, private lenders. A credit check is required and they are not based on financial need. Private student loans have fixed and variable interest rates which depend on the borrower and co-signer's credit and the loan market. You should exhaust the federal loan opportunities before turning to private student loans.
The amount you may borrow will be the amount that remains from your estimated Cost of Attendance after subtracting other forms of financial aid you have accepted, such as scholarships, grants, work study and federal loans.
| Loan | Interest Rate | Year Max* | Lifetime Max | credit check? | Subsidized? | Repayment Grace Period | Fee** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Loan | 6.39% | Up to $7,500 (Seniors) | $31,000 | No | Yes | 6 months | Yes |
| Additional Direct Loan | 6.39% | Up to $5,000 (Seniors) | $26,500 | No | No | 6 months | Yes |
| Private Student Loan | Varies by lender | Up to COA | None | Yes | No | None | Yes |
*The total amount of financial aid, including loans, cannot exceed Cost of Attendance
(COA). COA is set by Cal Lutheran and includes tuition, fees and a cost of living
allowance.
**Fees are subtracted from the disbursed monies each term and are typically calculated
as a % of the amount disbursed.
California Lutheran University provides several financing options for graduate students, including a variety of low-interest federal loan programs. To be considered for federal loan eligibility, students must submit the FAFSA annually. Beyond federal funding, students may also explore private loan opportunities to supplement their educational costs.
Federal Unsubsidized Loan
No credit check
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a federal loan offered to students with eligibility as determined by the FAFSA.
No credit check is required on these loans, but you may not be in default on any previous student loans to qualify. These loans are unsubsidized, and interest will begin accruing while you are in school. You may defer repayment for up to 6 months after leaving school.
Federal Grad PLUS Loans
Credit check required
While the interest rate on the Direct Graduate Plus Loan is higher than the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, it is typically lower than a private student loan. Interest will begin accruing as soon as the first disbursement of funds is made, but repayment may be deferred for 6 months after you leave school. Effective July 1, 2026, only students who previously utilized the Grad PLUS program will be eligible to receive utilize the program.
Private Student Loans
Credit check required
Private student loans are offered by third-party, private lenders. A credit check is required and they are not based on financial need. Private student loans have fixed and variable interest rates which depend on the borrower and co-signer's credit and the loan market. You should exhaust the federal loan opportunities before turning to private student loans.
The amount you may borrow will be the amount that remains from your estimated Cost of Attendance after subtracting other forms of financial aid you have accepted, such as scholarships, grants, work study and federal loans.
| Loan | Interest Rate | Year Max* | Lifetime Max | Credit Check? | Subsidized? | Repayment Grace/Deferment Period | Fee?** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Unsubsidized Loan | 7.94% | $20,500 | $138,500 | No | No | 6 months | Yes |
| Direct Graduate PLUS Loan*** | 8.94% | Up to COA | None | Yes | No | 6 months | Yes |
| Private Student Loan | Varies by lender | Up to COA | None | Yes | No | None | No |
*Total amount of financial aid, including loans, cannot exceed Cost of Attendance
(COA). COA is set by Cal Lutheran and includes tuition, fees and a cost of living
allowance.
**Fees are subtracted from the disbursed monies each term and are typically calculated
as a % of the amount disbursed. Alternative loan fees may vary.
***As of July 1, 2026, only students who previously utilized the Grad PLUS program
will be eligible to receive utilize the program.