Students often need to borrow loans to cover the full cost of attending Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. We award federal loans as a portion of a student award, and assist students with applying for private loans as well. These loans are often independent of family income and may be used to borrow up to the full cost of Yale FES tuition.

Federal Loans

Yale University participates in three federal loan programs: the Stafford and the Perkins and the Grad PLUS programs. To qualify for these loans, a student must meet the following requirements:

• U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Registered with Selective Service (see www.sss.gov for more information).
• Attending a participating school.
• Working toward a degree or certificate and making satisfactory academic progress.
• Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal education loan.
• Must have financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans).
• Must not have any drug convictions.

Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 in Stafford loans, of which up to $8,500 may be subsidized by the federal government. Perkins loans, capped at $6,000, are available to students who demonstrate need beyond the level of a subsidized Stafford loan. While Stafford loans are available to all eligible borrowers, Perkins loans are limited by available funds. For more details on these programs, refer to the Federal Student Aid Website.

Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate/Professional students may borrow from the PLUS program to help cover any remaining "gap" after a financial aid package has been accepted. Students may borrow the difference between the total cost of education (including books, fees, and personal expenses) minus any financial aid the student receives. The interest rates are fixed at 8.5%, and origination fees will be deducted upon disbursment.

To be eligible for this loan program, students must:

• Be a Graduate/Professional student enrolled at least half-time in a matriculated program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Complete a current year's on-line FAFSA.
• First borrow the maximum annual amount through the Federal Stafford Loan Program ($20,500).
• (PLUS Loan borrowers) - pass a basic credit check.


• Not be in default on an education loan.
• Be registered with Selective Service, if required.

The student borrower must apply directly to a chosen lender and is subject to a credit history check by the lender. The student must also complete the F&ES Grad Plus Loan Request Form to notify the F&ES Financial Aid Office staff that a Grad Plus Loan has been requested of a lender. Once the loan is approved by the lender and the amount verified by the F&ES Financial Aid Office, the staff will process the loan on the studnt's behalf. An origination fee, which is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement (at the beginning of each semester), is charged.

Repayment begins within 60 days after the final disbursement of each loan for the loan period borrowed; there is no grace period. The maximum repayment period is 10 years, and the minimum monthly payment is $50.00. Some graduates may be eligible to defer payments as long as they are enrolled at least half-time. Students may also receive in-school deferment and be eligible for a 6-month forbearance to align entry into repayment with Stafford loans. For more details on these programs, refer to the Federal Student Aid Website.

Yale International Student Loan

The Yale International Student Loan is an option provided to international students who need to supplement their awards or personal funds to meet unmet need (single student budget only). International students are provided with application information at the time they receive their finanical aid award notification. The Yale International Student Loan includes a 5% origination and default fee upon disbursement. Contact the F&ES Financial Aid Office for further information.

• No co-signer required
  
• Fixed interest rate of 7.75%
  
• Origination Fee of 5%, subtracted from loan proceeds
  
• 10-year repayment period
  
• No payments while enrolled
  
• 6-month grace period following separation from school
  
• Interest accrues while enrolled and during the 6-month grace period and is added to the principal when repayment begins
  
• Interest does not compound and there is no pre-payment penalty