The University of Sydney administers the Direct Loan Program to US citizens or eligible non-citizens who meet the eligibility criteria.
Depending on your grade level and stage, for example undergraduate, graduate, first year and so on, you may be eligible to borrow the full cost of attendance each year through a mix of the available loans. The cost of attendance is a calculation of tuition and associated fees plus living expenses.
The Direct Loan has Unsubsidized and Subsidized components.
The Subsidized component is based on financial need, as defined by the US Department of Education. The loan is subsidised because the US Government pays the interest that accrues while you are enrolled at least half-time (at least 12 credit points per semester for coursework students).
The Unsubsidized component of the loan is not based on financial need, and you are responsible for paying the interest from the time the money is disbursed.
You have the option of paying the interest while you are studying. Alternatively, you can postpone interest payments while you are studying, in deferment, or for six months after you graduate, withdraw or drop below half-time enrolment.
If you choose to postpone your payments, the interest accrues and in some instances it may be capitalised. This means the interest is added to your principal loan amount that you will have to repay. It may also increase the amount of your monthly repayments.
Annual loan limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are outlined below.
If you’re a postgraduate or professional student, you’re eligible to borrow additional funds through the Grad PLUS Loan program. You are encouraged to apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan before applying for a Grad PLUS Loan because the Grad PLUS is subject to higher fees and interest rates.
You will need to meet credit guidelines to qualify. A credit check will be undertaken once the Grad PLUS loan has been originated. If you don’t pass the credit check, then your loan may be declined. There is an appeal process in place for such circumstances. For more information on the appeal process, contact the International Loans Team.
Parents are eligible for the Parent PLUS loan if their child is a dependent undergraduate student, as defined by the US Department of Education.
Eligible parents will need to meet credit guidelines to qualify. A credit check will be undertaken once the Parent PLUS loan has been originated. If you don’t pass the credit check, then the loan may be declined. There is an appeal process in place for such circumstances. For more information on the appeal process, contact the International Loans Team.
Grad and Parent PLUS borrowers are able to borrow their entire cost of attendance minus any other financial aid, such as scholarships or subsidised and unsubsidised loans.
| Annual loan limit per stage of the program (not years of study in the program) | Dependent undergraduate student (USD) | Independent undergraduate student (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Stage one | $3500 Sub + $2000 Unsub = $5500 per annum | $3500 Sub + $6000 Unsub = $9500 per annum |
| Stage two | $4500 Sub + $2000 Unsub = $6500 per annum | $4500 Sub + $6000 Unsub = $10,500 per annum |
| Stage three, four or five | $5500 Sub + $2000 Unsub = $7500 per annum | $5500 Sub + $7000 Unsub = $12,500 per annum |
| Aggregate limit | Subsidized Max $23,000 Total Sub and Unsub $31,000 |
Subsidized Max $23,000 Total Sub and Unsub $57,500 |
| Subsidized (USD) | Unsubsidized (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate and Professional Student | $0 | $20,500 |
The aggregate loan limit for graduate and professional students remains unchanged at $138,500, not more than $65,500 of which may be in Subsidized loans.
The table provides the interest rates for new Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1 2026, and before July 1 2027. These rates will apply to all new Direct Loans made during this time.
| Loan | Interest rate |
|---|---|
Direct Subsidized loans (undergraduates) |
6.52% |
Direct Unsubsidized loans (undergraduates) |
6.52% |
Direct Unsubsidized loans (graduate or professional students) |
8.07% |
Direct PLUS loans (parents and graduate or professional students) |
9.07% |
Direct Loans have origination fees that are charged by the US Department of Education and are deducted proportionately from each gross loan disbursement you receive. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you request to borrow.
You're responsible for repaying the entire amount you borrowed (gross amount) and not just the amount you received (net amount).
The current origination fees for Direct Loans are:
The University's cost of attendance is your full tuition fees and full living expenses, as well as any ancillary costs.
The current cost of attendance is outlined below in Australian dollars for two semesters. If you’re applying for financial aid for one semester only, these figures will be prorated accordingly. The figures are periodically reviewed and subject to changes on an annual basis.
Tuition & fees |
|
| Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF) | Adjusted each year |
Living allowance |
AU $42,100 |
Return airfare |
AU $2000 |
Computer |
AU $1500 |
Overseas Student Health Cover |
Varies depending on visa length |
Books and supplies |
AU $1000 |
Origination fee |
As published on the United States Student Aid website. Origination fees are revised every October. |
Ancillary costs/program costs |
Ancillary costs apply to some programs only and vary depending on the program. |
You may be able to have additional expenses added to your cost of attendance, such as dependent care or expenses related to a disability and medical expenses not covered by insurance.
You need to submit supporting documents with your application, for example a doctor’s letter detailing specific expenses related to a disability. Once we’ve received your supporting documents, allow two to four weeks for processing. Contact the International Loans Team if you need more information.
Amounts incurred in US dollars won’t be converted to another currency before being added to your cost of attendance. Amounts incurred in a currency other than USD or AUD will be converted to AUD using the exchange rate at the time the cost is added to your cost of attendance.
The International Loans Team has a duty of care to encourage responsible student borrowing and ensure you are aware that relocation costs are not included as part of the cost of attendance. You need to make sure you have access to other funds to cover your relocation and settlement costs in Sydney while your loans are being processed.
Under US Federal Regulations, your cost of attendance must only include costs associated with your education for the time you are in study. If you are funding your relocation costs by other means (such as credit card or line of credit), you will not be certified for any additional amounts exceeding your cost of attendance and relating to relocation costs. In addition, private and federal loans will not be certified to be disbursed before your departure.
