- borrow directly from the federal government and have a single contact (the Direct Loan Servicing Center) for everything related to the repayment of your loans, even if you receive Direct Loans at different schools.
- have online access to your Direct Loan account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- can choose from several repayment plans that are designed to meet the needs of almost any borrower, and you can switch repayment plans if your needs change.
What kinds of Direct Loans are available?
- Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal regulations. No interest is charged while you are in school at least half-time, during your grace period and during deferment periods.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not based on financial need; interest is charged during all periods.
- Direct PLUS Loans
Direct PLUS Loans are low interest loans available to parents of dependent students or for graduate/professional degree students. Interest is charged during all periods.
- Direct Consolidation Loans — Direct Consolidation Loans are loans for borrowers who want to combine different eligible federal student loans into one Direct Consolidation Loan.
What are the eligibility requirements?
You must be enrolled at least half-time at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program, be a US citizen or eligible non-US citizen and you must meet general eligibility requirements for the Federal Student Aid programs.
How do I apply for aid?
- You apply for a Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan and other federal student aid by completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA.
The school code for The American University of Rome on the FAFSA is G31025.
- After your FAFSA has been submitted online and processed, the information from your application will be shared with The American University of Rome and AUR will notify you through an award letter of the types of aid for which you are eligible. Read carefully the award letter, complete, sign and send back the original letter to AUR (attention: Financial Aid Office).
- Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a legally binding agreement to repay your loan to the US Department of Education. Before receiving your Direct Loan, you must sign an MPN. You may complete the MPN online at StudentLoans.gov. First time borrowers must also complete an entrance counseling you will find on the direct loan site a link to complete this counseling.
How much can I borrow each year?
When you receive your financial aid award letter you will find listed the amounts of the Stafford Loans and if applicable the Parent PLUS Loan amount. Annual loan limits vary by the student’s year in school. The actual loan amount may be reduced by the expected family contribution and/or other aid. Undergraduates may borrow up to the following amounts from the Direct Loan program:
| Dependent Undergraduates | Subsidized | Total (Subsidized+Unsubsidized) |
| First Year: 0-29 credits | $ 3,500.00 | $ 5,500.00 |
| Second Year: 30-59 credits | $ 4,500.00 | $ 6,500.00 |
| Third Year and Beyond: 60+ credits | $ 5,500.00 | $ 7,500.00 |
| Independent undergraduates and dependent students whose parents can’t get PLUS are eligible for the following amounts: | Subsidized | Total (Subsidized+Unsubsidized) |
| First Year: 0-29 credits | $ 3,500.00 | $ 9,500.00 |
| Second Year: 30-59 credits | $ 4,500.00 | $ 10,500.00 |
| Third Year and Beyond: 60+ credits | $ 5,500.00 | $ 12,500.00 |
What are the Total Aggregate Limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans?
- $31,000 for dependent undergraduate students excluding those whose parents are unable to borrow a PLUS Loan (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
- $57,500 for independent undergraduate students and dependent undergraduates whose parents are unable to borrow a PLUS loan (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
- $138,500 for graduate or professional students (no more than $65,500 may be subsidized; includes loans for undergraduate study)
Frequently Asked Questions
What loans can a U.S. student receive attending The American University of Rome?
Students may receive funding under the Direct Loan Program. Under either program, loans available include Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) and PLUS loans. Congress has regulated that students attending foreign schools (like The American University of Rome as we are located on foreign soil) are not eligible for any of the grant programs, such as the Federal Pell Grant or the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant. Graduate students are eligible for Direct Unsubsidized and PLUS loans through this program.
Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to receive federal student aid?
A student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen to be eligible for federal student aid. This includes citizens of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The general requirement for eligible non-citizens is that they be in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or lawful permanent resident, as evidenced by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Department performs matches against a student’s application to verify citizenship status. In addition, there are procedures that a participating institution must follow to confirm a non-citizen’s status through the DHS and Social Security Administration if citizenship status is not confirmed through our verification
procedures.
What kinds of educational programs offered by The American University of Rome may I enroll in that would allow me to receive federal student aid?
An educational program offered by a foreign school, such as The American University of Rome, is not an eligible program for purposes of federal student aid if it is provided by correspondence or distance education in whole or in part. In addition, a foreign institution may only approve federal student loans or deferments for eligible U.S. students for enrollment in an educational program that is at least one year in length and leads to a certificate, diploma, or full degree program. The program must be at the undergraduate or graduate level.
If I am attending The American University of Rome through a “Study Abroad” Program sponsored by my domestic school, do I apply for federal student aid through the foreign school?
No. Federal student aid for a short term, or a study abroad program is processed by the student’s home institution in the U.S. The American University of Rome would not be authorized to certify student loans or deferments for U.S. study abroad students who only plan to attend for a semester or for a one year study abroad experience to earn credits that apply toward or transfer into a degree program in which the student is enrolled in the U.S.
I am enrolled at The American University of Rome. Can I receive funding to perform research in another country for a semester?
No. Funding does not cover studies in a country outside of your institution’s location. Funding only covers eligible programs within an eligible institution.
The American University of Rome Enrollment Status for eligibility and reporting for US Title IV funds policy
In determining enrollment status for eligibility for Title IV funds at The American University of Rome our policy is as follows; to be enrolled half time a student must be taking at least a half time course load. ‘Audit’ courses, courses that are not matriculating to your degree and some remedial courses do not count. The reported status for the three enrollment periods (fall, spring and summer is determined as follows:
| Enrolled credits | Enrollment status |
| 12+ | Full-time |
| 6 - 11.99 | Half-time |
| Less than 6 | Less than half-time |
Appealing Your Aid Decision
The US Department of Education has certain guidelines and regulations that The American University of Rome must abide by. However you have the right to appeal your financial aid decision if you feel there are extenuating circumstances.
Please submit the Appeal Application, an Income Expense and Benefit Form and necessary documentation along with an explanation of your circumstances.
Appeals will be reviewed only after all requested supporting materials are received.
What happens if I leave school or graduate?
Leaving school: graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time
Once you are no longer enrolled at least half time, you’ll receive a 6-month grace period on your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans during which you are not required to make loan payments. You must begin repayment at the end of your grace period.
Make sure that the Direct Loan Servicing Center knows that you are no longer enrolled. If you don’t begin making payments when required, there is the possibility that you will lose repayment incentives you may have received or even go into default.
You are required to complete the Exit Counseling online before you graduate or withdraw.
Click here and refer to the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) section should you need more information about withdrawing during a semester with a potential return of US federal loan requirement.
General financial aid requirements: All awards are limited to students enrolled full-time and are in good academic standing, by meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and not have defaulted on previous education loans.
Federal Student Aid forms & Deadlines
| Form | Fall Semester priority deadline | Spring Semester priority deadline |
| Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Link here | June 1 | October 15 |
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| Signed AUR Financial Aid award letter | July 15 | December 1 |
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| Complete Loan Agreement for a Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (Sub/Unsub and/or PLUS) - Link here | July 15 | December 1 |
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| Online Entrance Counseling (New Students Only) - Link here | July 15 | December 1 |
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| Online Exit Counseling (Graduating students Only) - Link here | May 1 | November 1 |
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