Borrowing for Your CalArts Education

Loans are money you borrow that must be repaid with interest. The cost of attendance may be offset by other forms of financial assistance, such as scholarships and work study. Loans can help with the rest. Eligibility for federal loans require a FAFSA to be completed each year. In addition to these direct federal loans to students, there are also private loans available for further financing.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to graduate students regardless of financial need. The student is responsible for paying the interest on the Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. If a student chooses not to pay the interest while enrolled in school and during grace and/or deferment periods, the interest will accrue and be capitalized (added to the principal loan amount).

2022-2023 Federal Direct Loan Interest Rates

The 2022-23 interest rates for Federal Direct Loans disbursed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, are as follows:

  • Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans for undergraduate students: 4.99 percent fixed for the life of the loan.
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan for graduate students: 6.54 percent fixed for the life of the loan.
Origination Fee

All Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are subject federal origination fee which is subtracted from the loan at the time of disbursement. The origination fee for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans from July 1, 2021 till June 30, 2022 is: 1.059%. 

Annual and Aggregate Loan limits

There are annual and aggregate loan limits for students based upon their degree and class level as detailed at the Department of Education Website. For an estimate of your monthly loan payments after you graduate, take a look at the Department of Education’s loan simulator.

Learn more about Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

Please click here to learn more about Federal Subsidized Loans.

Master Promissory Note & Entrance Counseling

In addition to completing the FAFSA each year, first-time Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized loan borrowers at CalArts must complete the two steps below once before the first year they borrow loans: 

  1. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online:
    Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note (MPN) 
  2. Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling:
    Complete Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling - First time borrowers must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling before funds can be disbursed.

(Graduate and Professional Level students Only)

Graduate students are eligible to apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan to assist with their educational needs. Eligibility for this loan will be based on a credit check performed by the Department of Education upon receipt of the Graduate PLUS Loan application.

To apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan, visit https://studentaid.gov/mpn. The application opens on/after April 1st for each upcoming academic year. Students must use their own FSA ID to log in to the loan application.

Graduate borrowers must complete a PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) before loan(s) will be processed and disbursed. Complete this step online at studentaid.gov/mpn. Graduate Plus Loans borrowers are also required to complete Graduate Plus Entrance Counseling found at studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling (select Log in to Start in the "I am a Graduate or Professional Student" section). All loans must be processed and disbursed prior to the end of each academic semester.

Once the Financial Aid Office receives the application from the Department of Education, we will update the financial aid award to reflect the approved/requested Graduate PLUS Loan amount.

In the event that an endorser (co-signer) is required for loan approval, you will be required to complete mandatory PLUS Loan Credit Counseling.

*Important Note for all PLUS Loan Borrowers- There is a question on the PLUS Loan application that asks whether you wish to defer loan payments while you/your student is enrolled in school. If you wish to defer loan payments, you MUST answer this question accordingly.

2022-2023 Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Interest Rate

The 2022-23 interest rate for Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans Loans disbursed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, is 7.54 percent fixed.

Origination Fee

All Direct Plus Loans are subject federal origination fee which is subtracted from the loan at the time of disbursement. The origination fee for Federal Plus Loans from July 1, 2021 till June 30, 2022 is: 4.228%. 

To apply for a student or parent Private Educational Loan, you will need to submit an application with the private lender of your choice. Please visit https://choice.fastproducts.org/FastChoice/home/113200 to begin your Private Educational Loan research and comparison.

The Financial Aid Office will certify Private Loan eligibility once we receive notification of an approved private loan application from your lender.