Admission & Aid Paying for College Financial Aid Types of Aid Loans

Student Loans

The Federal Direct Loan Program provides eligible students and parents with Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or Parent PLUS loans from the U.S. Department of Education.

To receive any of these loan options at the Alamo Colleges District, a loan request must be submitted following the steps outlined below. 

 

Important Notice: Student Loan Changes

Effective Fall 2026, the U.S. Department of Education will require colleges to prorate federal student loan amounts based on enrollment level, similar to how grant aid is awarded. Please consider how your enrollment may affect your student loan eligibility according to these new rules:
  • Students enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or greater) will remain eligible to receive the maximum annual federal loan amount.
  • Students enrolled less than full-time (6 to 11 credit hours) will have their maximum annual federal loan amount reduced (prorated) based on enrollment. This means that lower enrollment will result in a lower loan amount offered.

 

Requesting Loans

Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Required Steps
  1. Complete the Federal Direct Loan Request through ACES.
  2. Complete the required Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov.

 

Eligibility
  1. Student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours that count towards their degree plan.
  2. Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
  3. Student must complete any incomplete financial aid requirements including verification.
  4. Student must have financial need as determined by the FAFSA (Subsidized loan eligibility only).
  5. Student's loans may not exceed the yearly or lifetime loan limits.
Federal Parent PLUS Loans
Required Steps
  1. The student's parent must complete the Parent PLUS Loan Application on studentaid.gov. 
  2. The student's parent must complete the Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov

 

Eligibility
  1. Student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours that count towards their degree plan.
  2. Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  3. Student must complete any incomplete financial aid requirements including verification
  4. Student must be classified as Dependent as determined by the FAFSA
  5. Parent applying must be biological, adoptive, or a stepparent. 
  6. Parent applying must have good credit history, with no defaulted student or PLUS loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inceptia and how does it help me manage my student loans?

Through Alamo Colleges latest partnership with Inceptia, a nonprofit organization, you’ll have access to one-on-one counseling and resources to help you understand your loan repayment options and stay on track with your student loans.

Learn More

How do I view a summary of all student loans I have received?

Keep track of your federal student loan history and loan servicers by logging in to the studentaid.gov website and clicking on "My Aid".

Parents that have a Parent PLUS loan will log in to their own account to view the history of their loan. 

 View Loan History

What are the interest rates for Federal Direct Loans?

The interest rate for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are published on studentaid.gov.

  • Students are not responsible for paying the interest accrued on a Subsidized loan as it is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Students are responsible for paying the interest accrued on a Unsubsidized loan at the time of repayment. 

The interest rate for Parent PLUS loans are published on studentaid.gov.

  • Parents are responsible for paying the interest accrued on a Parent Plus loan at the time of repayment. 
Will my loan request protect my classes from being dropped?

No, submission of a loan request is not guaranteed to be approved or processed in time for funds to be received by the payment deadline. 

What if my parent applying for a PLUS loan has negative credit?

For parents whose credit check is denied on the Parent PLUS Loan Application, there are other options for the loan to be approved either through an endorser or through an appeal on studentaid.gov.

Alternatively, students may be eligible to borrow additional Unsubsidized loans with the submission of a Co-signer Statement form if the parents credit check is denied.