Graduate Loans

Graduate and professional students can borrow money from the U.S. Department of Education or from a private lender. If you need a private or alternative loan, you should consult with a financial aid adviser.

The 2011 Budget Control Act eliminated subsidized graduate student loans.

Loans must be accepted and certified before they can be credited to your university account. Allow at least two weeks before the last date of the semester for loan certification and approval.

Federal funds cannot be released prior to 10 days before the beginning of the period of enrollment.

First-time borrowers in the Ford Federal Loan Program must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and loan entrance counseling before funds can be credited to a student account.

To help students minimize or avoid substantial debt, MU Financial Aid reserves the right to utilize professional judgement and limit loan borrowing to tuition and fees. Use of professional judgement is allowed through federal student aid regulations (HEA Sec. 479A(c)) and is used on a case-by-case basis.

Loans available to graduate students include:

Important Dates

For the 2024-2025 academic year

Dec. 1, 2023 - Scholarship deadline for first-time college students

Feb. 1, 2024 - Scholarship deadline for current & transfer students

March 1, 2024 - MU's recommended FAFSA priority submission date

Apr. 1, 2024 - FAFSA submission deadline

More dates