Application

All students must familiarise themselves with:  The US Department of Education Resources.

The following is a step by step guide to how the process works.

Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to establish your eligibility by going to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa/

The University of Manchester's School code for completing the FAFSA is: G12136

PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A NEW FAFSA FOR EACH YEAR OF STUDY WHILST AT MANCHESTER

Once completed this will produce an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), which will be shared online with the University of Manchester provided you have listed the University as one of your preferred choices on your FAFSA. Please note you also need to contact the Student Finance (DSE) Team to notify them of your intention to study at the University of Manchester by emailing funding@manchester.ac.uk. 

Students commencing in the fall of 2024, should note that the earliest they can expect notification of their loan entitlement for the academic year 2024/25 is 28th May 2024.

Any Queries regarding your FAFSA, ISIR or loan entitlement should be sent to the Student Finance (DSE) Team using our online enquiry form, or by emailing funding@manchester.ac.uk. 

Step 2: Processing your loan

You are not required to take out your full loan entitlement but you must confirm to us how much of your loan entitlement you wish to take out. Once we have been notified how much of your loan entitlement you wish to take out we will enter the amount on the Department of Education's Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.

Step 3: Carry out key tasks

If you have not done so already we urge you gain access to the https://studentaid.gov. From here you can manage your Direct Loans, including carrying out a number of key tasks such as completing entrance counselling, signing your Master Promissory Note (MPN) and completing your Plus loan request. Please note that you must complete entrance counselling, and have signed your MPN before we can request disbursement of your loans.

Direct Loan MPN Completion

You must complete a new Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) for each loan type you wish to borrow. Although you may have previously signed an MPN to receive FFEL or Direct Loan Program loans, these MPNs cannot be used to make Direct Loans at our school.

The MPN is the legal document through which you promise to repay your Direct Loans and any accrued interest and fees to the Department. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loans. In some cases, a Direct Loan MPN can be used to make loans for up to ten years. However, you will need to complete a new Direct Loan MPN each academic year that you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan and/or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan at our school.

• You may complete a Direct Loan MPN electronically via https://studentaid.gov/app/launchMpn.action.
• To complete a Direct Loan MPN electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN. This is the same PIN used to complete the FAFSA.
• After you complete your MPN, you will be able to print and retain it for your records. You do not need to provide us with a copy; we will be notified electronically of your completion.

Direct Loan Entrance Counseling Completion

You must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling each year before you can receive a Direct Loan.

• You may complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically via https://studentaid.gov/app/counselingInstructions.action.
• To complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically, you must have a Federal Student Aid PIN. This is the same PIN used to complete the FAFSA.
• After you complete entrance counseling, we will be notified electronically.
• You will need to complete Entrance Counseling for each type of Loan you borrow (eg Stafford and PLUS).
• Parents are not required to complete Entrance Counseling for a Parent PLUS loan.

You will also be required to complete Exit Counseling shortly before you complete your studies.

Visa Requirement

Step 4:  Evidence of loan for student visa application

You can use the hardcopy notification of your student loan for visa purposes as part of your application for your UK student visa. This certificate is issued specifically for visa application purposes and is an acceptable form of evidence of your student loan for your Tier 4 application so that you meet the requirement to prove you have sufficient funds. This is part of an arrangement between UK universities and UK Visas and Immigration.

For further information about applying for your visa please visit: www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/immigration-and-visas/ 

Loan Disbursement

Step 5: Disbursement of your loan

For students registering in September, loans will be disbursed* in equal instalments on or around the following dates. If you plan to commence your study at another point in the calendar year the dates of disbursement will differ and you should contact the Student Finance (DSE) Team for further details as to when you can expect your loans to be disbursed.

The dates shown below are dates of disbursement from the U.S. NOT the date you will receive funds. Under normal circumstances the funds will be physically transferred to the University’s bank account in the first instance. From there the funds will be converted into sterling using a firm called Western Union. Unless informed otherwise the University will look to retain your tuition fees only. It is the student's responsibility to arrange their own accommodation payments, even if you are staying in University owned halls of residence. For example, if you are a graduate student we will look to retain a third of your tuition fees as each instalment of your loan is released. Any remaining balance from your loan will be automatically paid to you.

* Please note the first instalment of your loan will only be disbursed once you have fully completed registration and notified the Student Finance (DSE) Team.

Registration can be fully completed online. If you are unable to complete the final step, relating to financial registration, because your US loans are not showing then please contact the Student Finance (DSE) Team.

Once the University receives the initial transfer of funds the balance, after deduction of tuition fees, will be made available to the student within three working days. Ordinarily we would look for students to open a UK bank account in order to receive any balance of funds in respect of their loans. 

If you wish to receive the balance of funds in dollars to your US account, then please contact the Student Finance (DSE) Team. 

You will also need to provide evidence of Satisfactory Academic Progress throughout the course of the academic year prior to the release of any subsequent instalments of your loan.

For any queries regards the disbursment of your US loans please contact the Student Finance (DSE) Team.