Federal student loans
The University became a "Deferment Only" institution from September 2009 and therefore can no longer certify US federal student loans (e.g. the Direct Loan program).
Deferring loans – If you have already received a US Federal Student loan, the University can approve a deferment. If you are enrolled on at least a half-time basis, you can apply to defer repayment of those loans. Contact your lender for the appropriate forms, which can then be certified by the University.
Cohort Default Rate – The University is required by US legislation to publish its Cohort Default Rate (CDR). The CDR is a calculation made by the US Department of Education and is the percentage of students who attended an institution, received federal student loans at some point during their studies and later defaulted on the repayment of their federal loan within a certain period.
The University of South Australia’s CDR is currently 0.0%.
Private loans
As a US student, you may be eligible for a private loan. A current private lender for US students is GEMS.
If you are successful in obtaining a private loan, the University will generally receive two separate cheques (made out to you and the University) coinciding with the commencement date of your study periods. The University will contact you upon receipt of these cheques.
If you make any changes to your enrolment (e.g. leave of absence or withdrawal), please contact us as soon as possible.
Important information
Remember that any funds you receive are loans that must be repaid. It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. Useful resources include:
- Your Federal Student Loans website for information about the difference between private loans and federal student loans.
- Fact Sheet for information about private loans and consolidation as well as advice on recognising deceptive loan practices.
- American Student Assistance (ASA) website - while ASA no longer provides loans to US students at the University of South Australia, they have a wide range of resources to help you manage your loans.
Contact us if you need further assistance.
