Loan Programs

Federal Loans

To receive federal student loans (Stafford, Grad PLUS, Nurse Faculty Loan), a student must be enrolled for at least 4.5 credit hours per semester during the fall/spring semesters and 3.0 credit hours during the summer semester. Federal policy does not allow disbursement of a loan during a semester in which a student is enrolled for fewer than the required credit hours.

Stafford Loan

		ABSN/Informatics Certificate - Dependent	ABSN/Informatics Certificate - Independent	MSN/PMC/DNP Student
Annual Stafford Limits	Subsidized	$5,500	$5,500	$0
Annual Stafford Limits	Unsubsidized	$2,000	$7,000	$20,500
Total		$7,500	$12,500	$20,500
Aggregate Stafford Limits	Subsidized	$23,000	$23,000	$65,500 (Incl. Ugrd.
Aggregate Stafford Limits	Unsubsidized	$8,000	$34,500	$73,000
Total		$31,000	$57,500	$138,500

To be considered for a federal loan, all students must complete the FAFSA application.

Nurse Faculty Loan

This program provides forgiveness of up to 85% of the loan for those who work as full-time nursing faculty or instructors for a period of time after graduation. This program is for students pursuing an MSN in nursing education or a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Please note the following requirements for the program:

You must complete a total of 9 credit hours in education coursework from the following courses in order to qualify for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program: N543, N544, N545, N546, N547, N548, and N549. N550 may be taken in place of any of these courses except N543, N546, and N548.
You must be enrolled at least half-time (4.5 credit hours during the fall/spring semesters; 3.0 credit hours during the summer semester).
You must be employed in a full-time nurse faculty position within 12 months of graduation, and you must notify the Student Loan Office immediately once employed.

Private Education Loans

When all federal loan options have been exhausted, or when a student is enrolled less than half-time and therefore not eligible for federal loan funding, private education loans may be utilized. Private loans are loans borrowed from a source other than Duke or the federal government to help finance education expenses. These loans should be used as a last resort, and we encourage students to borrow wisely.

A student can borrow an education loan from any financial institution of his/her choosing. Duke also offers a Lender List to assist students and step-by-step directions for applying for a private loan.