US Federal Aid

Q. Are there any programmes ineligible for a US Federal Aid Loans?

The following programmes are always ineligible for Federal Aid Loans at UCD.

• Distance / Online programmes: If any part of a programme includes online or remote teaching it is not eligible for Federal aid.
• Nursing programmes.
• Graduate Diplomas, Higher Certificates and other non-degree programmes.
• Not Eligible programmes
• Incoming Study Abroad/ Exchange students (please apply for loans through your home school)

Joint Masters programmes: these are programmes offered by UCD in collaboration with another institution and are only eligible for federal aid if the partner university is also approved to certify federal loans. 

This list is not exhaustive, and if you have any concerns regarding your eligibility please contact us at federalaid@ucd.ie

Q. I intend to complete an online program at UCD. Am I eligible for Federal Loans?

No, online, or distance-learning programs are not eligible for Federal Loans. Certificates and Diplomas are also not eligible. Students studying these types of programmes who require financial assistance can investigate private loans or other sources of external funding.

Q. My program includes a mandatory study abroad or internship segment; can I use my federal loans when I study abroad?

To be eligible for US Federal Student Aid, your study abroad or exchange programme must not exceed  25% of your total programme at an institution, university or business that does not participate in the US Federal Student Aid programme. UCD uses the number of credits allocated to your study abroad or exchange programme to determine the percentage.

Q. What is the 25% rule for FSA eligibility and how does it work?

The 25% rule essentially means that any part of your programme spent outside of UCD doesn’t exceed 25% of the overall programme.

Example: If your full degree consists of 90 ECT credits, then no more than 25% (22.5 ECTS) can be completed abroad for you to remain eligible for Federal Aid. Here is a scenario outlining how this works:

Sarah is a US student completing a one-year taught master’s programme at UCD worth 90 ECTS in total. She wants to spend part of her programme abroad.

• If Sarah chooses to study 30 ECTS abroad, this will represent 33% of the total credits (30/90), which exceeds the 25% limit- so her programme would not be eligible for Federal Aid.
• If Sarah studies 20 ECTS abroad, this represents 22% of her total credits (20/90), which is within the 25% limit, so her programme remains Federal Aid Eligible.

If you go on exchange, study abroad or an internship, you must let federalaid@ucd.ie know and you may be asked to sign an additional document before your loans can be processed.

Always check with the Federal Aid team before finalising any study abroad plans to ensure your eligibility is not affected.

Q. What is the University’s School code?

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) federal school code for UCD is G10188.

Q. How can I apply for Federal loans?

The process of applying for Federal Student Aid loans at UCD is outlined in our  2025-2026 Federal Aid Handbook. Please download and read this for full details on how to apply.

Q. I am going into my second/third/fourth year at UCD and would like to take out loans for my new year. What should I do?

Before requesting new loans, please take the time to check your current loans so that you are aware of your current debt status and can make informed choices for the new year. You can do this by logging into your account on StudentAid.gov.

As a continuing student, you will need to complete a new FAFSA (this is necessary at the start of every year that you intend to take loans). Once this is complete and you have received your Student Aid Report, UCD will send you a Cost of Attendance Letter, which will confirm the loan amount you can borrow for the next year.

Follow the instructions on the COA to complete the U.S. Financial Aid application on SISWeb under ‘My Applications’ by the 15 July deadline.

Q. I am a continuing student, and I wish to avail financial aid each year. Do I have to apply for it each year?

Yes, you have to apply for loans every year. Please follow the instructions in the 2025-2026 Federal Aid Handbook

Q. I have completed and submitted my Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) application. What is the next step?

UCD will send out a Cost of Attendance (COA) letter by email starting in March/April each year. This will contain information on your loan eligibility and instructions on the next steps. The 2025-2026 Federal Aid Handbook also provides a detailed overview of all steps in the process. . Please note that receipt of your COA can take up to 8 weeks due the high volume of applications we receive.

Q. Where can I find the UCD application for Federal Student Aid?
The UCD application for Federal Student Aid can be found online. Once you have started the application you can log into your SISWeb account at any time and click on “My Applications” to see this application. You will see “US Financial Aid Application.” This link will only be visible between April and September every year.

Q. I do not have UCD listed in my FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly SAR), how can I change this?

 If you do not see University College Dublin (UCD) listed in your FAFSA Submission Summary, you can update your FAFSA to add UCD’S  School Code: G10188.

To do this:

1. Log in to your FAFSA account at https://studentaid.gov.
2. Select "Make Corrections" to your submitted FAFSA.
3. Add UCD’s school code (G10188) to the list of schools.
4. Submit the updated FAFSA.

Once processed, UCD will receive your FAFSA information and be able to assess your eligibility for Federal Student Aid.

Q. How can I access my FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly SAR)?

Once you go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, and fill out your FAFSA, you will be emailed a copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary. Typically, you will be able to access your summary within two weeks of filing your FAFSA.

You can also access a PDF of your summary by logging into your FAFSA account with your Federal Student Aid Pin, then selecting either the PDF version of the summary  from the “My FAFSA” page.

Q. What do the “C” Flags on FAFSA Submission Summary mean?

A C flag  on the FAFSA Submission Summary typically means that a correction is required. Your FAFSA Submission Summary will be reviewed by our Federal Aid Team and we will contact student borrowers where required. We are required to document the successful resolution on your loan file and  will be unable to progress the loan application through to origination and disbursement until the flag the issue is resolved.

In determining your cost of attendance each year, we take into account all possible additional costs a student may need to incur. It is NOT what we see as the typical student spending, nor do we recommend that students/families take out the maximum allowance for FAFSA or other loan programs. Through careful budgeting one can reduce the amount of money needed during the academic year - and is always encouraged.

For an estimated breakdown of costs while studying in Dublin, see the UCD Living Costs website.

Q. What is Cost of Attendance (COA)?

The COA is a calculation used to determine how much a student can borrow. While it mirrors the actual, average living costs for students in Dublin, it is a general formula rather than an accurate reflection of each student's expected expenses. When you receive the COA, be sure to look at the amounts UCD allocates for each category of expenses - these are good average amounts for most students.

The second page of the COA will tell you how much you can borrow, based on your FAFSA information and the Cost of Attendance calculation.

The 2025-2026 Federal Aid Handbook also provides information on how to interpret the COA.

Q. How will I receive the Cost of Attendance (COA)?

UCD emails students their COA to those who have completed the FAFSA and have an offer to study at UCD, after 1 March each year. Please note, the COA can take 6-8 weeks to issue after you complete your FAFSA. The COA is a calculation for Federal Aid purposes only. For an estimated breakdown of the costs of studying at UCD, please see the UCD Cost of Living website.

Q. I don’t expect that my expenses will change for my next year at UCD. Do I still need a new COA?

The COA is updated annually to reflect the current estimated cost of studying at UCD. Even if you don't expect your expenses in Dublin to change much, the amount of USD you are eligible to borrow each year may change. Please check each new COA to make sure you are making informed decisions when determining how much to borrow.

Please note: UCD always recommends that students do not borrow the maximum allowance for any given year. Federal Aid borrowers should always request a lower amount to avoid getting into unnecessary debt for their studies.

Q. What is the maximum amount I could borrow?

The COA will tell you the maximum you can borrow. It will depend on a number of factors, including the programme you are enrolled in or intend to enrol in and the information included in your FAFSA Student Aid Report. However, most students are able to borrow more than enough to cover their expenses in Dublin.

Q. What exchange rate is used for calculating the cost of attendance?

The exchange rate is mentioned on the top of the second page of the COA. It is a worst case scenario exchange rate, which means that the COA factors in possible downturns in the value of the US Dollar.

Q. How is the exchange rate calculated?

The exchange rate is set by our Federal Aid Office,  selecting the worst possible rate and incrementing it by the worst possible commission. This is sufficient to enable loans to be calculated and originated. Should the rate change significantly once the course has started, then the whole Cost of Attendance can be reviewed again. Otherwise the rate will not be re-assessed until after the end of the registration period. When loan funds arrive from the United States, they receive the exchange rate on the day the bank transfer was facilitated. This means the loan funds can vary during each individual disbursement.

Q. Does UCD accept the post-9/11 GI Bill funding?

Yes, UCD currently accepts post-9/11 GI Bill Funding. If you are interested in using this or VA Benefits, please first visit the US Department of Veterans Affairs website and apply for benefits and confirm whether the programme you intend to study is eligible.

If your programme is not eligible, we may be able to apply for approval; however, this process can take several months, so let us know as soon as possible. If your programme is approved and you have provided your certificate of benefits, UCD will need to confirm your attendance before your benefits will be released. Please email federalaid@ucd.ie for more details.

Q. What is Origination?

Origination is the act of the university creating a student's loans on the US Education Department's systems. When loans are originated, they are set up so that they will be disbursed although there may be instances where loans fail at disbursement, such as a  failed credit check 

Q. What is a Disbursement?

A disbursement is when the US Government sends the net loan amount to the university, and the money is allocated to the student's Fee Account. It is not the act of paying excess money to the student, which is called a "refund" at UCD.

At UCD, disbursements always happen on the Monday of the first week of the trimester. Refunds typically take 3-5 additional days to process.

Q. How can I check the status of my loan application?

Please log into your SISWeb account and check for the following statuses:

Application Submitted, Awaiting Review-  You will receive an email once you submit your  application. This means your application has been successfully submitted, but that it has not yet been reviewed by our Financial Aid Team.

Application Reviewed – Loan Origination Pending- This status means that your Financial Aid documentation has been verified by our Financial Aid Team and we will send you a Loan Detail Letter via email in due course..

Note: Loan Origination does not happen until 10 days before the start of the semester.

Q. When will I hear confirmation that my loans are originated?

Loan origination does not happen until 10 days before the start of semester. You will receive an email when this process has begun, which will explain the next steps to get the loan funds successfully into your bank account.

You should refer back to the 2025-26 Federal Aid Handbook for information about disbursements and reasonable wait times for loan funds. You will not have immediate access to your loan funds when you arrive in Ireland - you will need to prepare for this by bringing sufficient funding to support you initially, especially if your loan application was late. While we try our best to make the loan process as smooth as possible, sometimes delays and problems occur that are out of our control.

Q. Would it be possible to receive the entire loan amount in a single disbursement at the start of the year?

No this is not possible. We must abide by the rules set up by the U.S. Department of Education, which requires equal disbursements each trimester you are enrolled in.

 Q. When will my loans be originated and disbursed?

UCD originates loans in the months leading up to the start of the academic year, but it can only disburse the loans on the first Monday of the Academic Year. If you apply for Federal Aid after the start of term, it will take 4-6 weeks, or sometimes longer, to disburse your loans.

Q. How is the Origination fee calculated?

Most federal student loans have Origination fees that are a percentage of the total loan amount. The Origination fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you actually borrow. You're responsible for repaying the entire amount you borrowed (the "gross" amount) and not just the amount you received (the "net" amount).

For clear and up to date information about federal loan origination fees, please visit the following official Student Aid webpage:
studentaid.gov – Loan Fees

NOTE: UCD only receives the Net amount from the US Education Department. The Origination Fee is retained by the US Government.

Q. How can I defer my loans?

If you have a previous Federal Loan which you took out before starting your course at UCD, and you are borrowing whilst at UCD, this loan will be deferred automatically on the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS).

If you do not intend to borrow at UCD, but have previous loans, please email your loan deferment documentation to federalaid@ucd.ie and we can help you to defer these loans. Your loan servicer should be able to provide you with this loan deferment documentation

Q. How do I repay these loans?

While taking Federal Loans, it is important to understand that you are obliged to repay these loans back to the U.S. Government. For more information please look into the Federal Aid Repayment Website.

It is a mandatory requirement by the US Department of Education for students to complete their Entrance Counselling before starting their course and Exit Counselling at the end of your course. These counselling sessions will guide you on repayment. If you have any changes in your personal details such as Name, Phone Number, Address, Enrolment Status, please update your loan service provider. Your loan service provider should also be updated with any problems you face to repay your lo

Q. I want to make sure that I have taken enough Federal Aid to cover my tuition fees. How can I verify this?

• Log in to your SISWeb to see your fee statement or locate your offer letter to see your tuition fees.

  If you have completed your Federal Student Aid application, review your Loan Detail Letter to see the loan amounts you have requested.

  The amounts noted in your loan detail letter will be in dollars so you will need to convert this to the estimated Euro value first. Then Subtract your total tuition fee charges from the total amount you requested in Federal Student Aid  to see if you have a remaining balance or a refund

Q. Where can I find out when and how much my disbursements will be?

UCD's disbursements are described in the 2025-26 Federal Aid Handbook, on pages 17-22.

Disbursements take place on the Monday of the first week of each trimester. Refunds are processed on the very next Wednesday.

When your loans are approved on SISWeb, UCD will email you a Loan Detail letter. This is an important document, which you should save in a secure place. It will detail when and how much each disbursement will be.

Q. What is the amount I would receive in each disbursement?

The amount for each disbursement is mentioned on the Loan Detail Letter which is emailed to you when your loan application is approved.

Each disbursement is equal to 50% (for two-trimester programmes) or 33% (for three-trimester programmes) of the net amount you have requested.

Net Amount Defined:

All U.S. Federal Student Aid Loans are subject to an origination fee. This is indicated on your COA. The amount disbursed to you once the origination fees have been deducted is the Net Amount. The amount requested (prior to any origination fees) and the amount which you will need to pay back prior to any accrued interest is the Gross Amount.

Q. How will the loan amount be credited into my bank account?

See page 21 in the 2025-26 Federal Aid Handbook.

After the loan has been originated, the UCD Student Payments Team draws down your disbursement and automatically converts it to Euros using the USD-EUR exchange rate for the day. The following is then deducted:

• 50% (for two-trimester programmes) or 33% (for three-trimester programmes) of the Tuition fee (as quoted on your Offer Letter);

The remaining euro amount is then transferred into your nominated bank account. This process may take up to a week, or longer if you have not provided UCD with details of your nominated bank account.

Note: Students are required to open an Irish bank account once they arrive in Ireland to accommodate any payments from UCD.

Q. How much will I get refunded after my disbursement?

When the funds arrive at UCD, a part of your loan (50% or 33%- see question above) is for paying the tuition fees and the remaining will be refunded to your bank account.

Page 22 of the 2025-26 Federal Aid Handbook provides an overview of the disbursement process, including where a student is in receipt of a scholarship and how this affects their disbursement but we’ve also outlined some examples below.

Q. How can I see my fee statement?

1. Go to SISWeb
2. Log In: Use your UCD Connect username and password (student number and password).
3. Navigate to the Fees Section:

• Once logged in, go to Fees
• Then select Student Fee Statement
• You’ll see a breakdown of:
  • Tuition fees
  • Payments made and received including Federal Aid
  • Outstanding balances
  • Scholarships or grants (if applicable)

Q. I received an email from UCD Accommodation asking for payment before my loans are disbursed- do I need to pay now?

Federal Aid cannot be used for your residence deposit payment but can be used for every other Residence payment that is due.

Please make sure that each of your loan disbursements is large enough to cover your accommodation fees for each semester or that you have access to additional funding to cover your accommodation costs. Students are advised to inform the UCD Residence Finance office that they are in receipt of U.S. Federal Aid and when each of your disbursements are due. It is important to complete a residence payment plan that aligns with your Federal Aid disbursements.

To view the fee statement from the UCD residencies please view this guide on how to use the UCD Residences Portal.

Q. Can I make changes to my loan amount throughout the year?

Yes, changes can be requested throughout the year however, depending on what loan amounts you have taken out and what your COA allows for, you may be able to:

• Increase (up to the maximum in your COA)
• Decrease
• Or cancel all upcoming loan disbursement