Student Financial Services

School of Medicine


Loan Programs

St. George’s University’s comprehensive outreach to governments and private lending institutions combined with the University’s own financial resources, have created a unique offering of loans and other financing options for our students worldwide.

For United States Citizens or Permanent Residents studying in Grenada

Beginning in Fall 2010, St George’s University will begin participating in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.  Student borrowers will receive funding for their federal student loans directly from the U.S. Department of Education. These loans are available only to students in the School of Medicine studying in Grenada. The program consists of Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized and Direct PLUS Loans. The Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan programs have a combined maximum borrowing limit of $20,500 per academic year and an overall aggregate of $138,500. The Direct PLUS Loan program is used to bridge the gap between the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and the remaining cost of attendance. Students must have a satisfactory credit history in order to qualify for a Direct PLUS loan. The Direct PLUS loan does not have an aggregate limit.

Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are awarded based on eligibility determined by the federal government. For loans awarded through the Direct Subsidized Loan program, students may borrow up to $8,500 per academic year. Under the Subsidized loan program the interest that accrues while the student is in school is paid by the U.S. government. The student is responsible only for the interest that accrues after repayment begins. For loans issued through the Direct Unsubsidized Loan program, students may borrow up to $20,500 minus the subsidized amount awarded per academic year. Under the Direct Unsubsidized program the student is responsible for all accruing interest and may choose to repay the interest while in school or defer it until repayment begins. Repayment begins when a student graduates or otherwise ceases to be enrolled at least halftime; however, the borrower may continue to postpone repayment during his/her medical residency.

All Direct loans are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. The interest is currently set at a fixed rate of 6.80% for Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans with disbursements that occur on or after July 1, 2010. The interest is currently set at a fixed rate of 7.9% for Direct PLUS loans with disbursements that occur on or after July 1, 2010. The interest rate is determined by the federal government and subject to change each July 1st. The student will be required to pay a 0.5% origination fee on Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans and a 2.5% origination fee on Direct PLUS loans. There is an upfront interest rebate that reduces the fee at origination.  If you don’t make your first 12 monthly payments on-time, the rebate amount will be added to the principal balance.

To receive Direct Loans, recipients must be either permanent residents or citizens of the United States, be enrolled in the School of Medicine in Grenada at least half-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and not be in default on any prior U.S. government guaranteed loan. These guidelines are subject to statutory and/or regulatory changes in the U.S. Higher Education Act and the Title IV Program Regulations.

Students borrowing federal loans must complete the Loan Authorization form, provided at the link below. This will allow the Student Finance office to apply your federal loan proceeds towards non tuition charges such as books and health insurance in order to satisfy your student account.

Loan Authorization Form

For United States Citizens or Permanent Residents studying in the UK
For United States Citizens or Permanent Residents studying in the UK
Several private educational lenders in the United States offer St. George’s students alternate loans. Students can obtain these loans to meet all or part of their cost of attendance. These private loan programs are all credit based and are offered only to students who have a satisfactory credit history as determined by the lender. These loans have repayment terms that begin following graduation or withdrawal from school and may be extended up to 20 years.

The Financial Aid Office at SGU provides extensive financial aid counseling services to students in order to help them understand the eligibility requirements, terms and conditions. The Financial Aid Office also maintains a list of private educational lenders offering programs to St. George’s students, and can help guide them to the programs that will best suit their needs.

Canadian / International Citizenship
Canadian students attending St. George’s University are eligible to apply for Canadian government funding through their province of residence. These loans are awarded through the Ministry of Education of each province. These loans are interest-subsidized by the Canadian government while the student is enrolled in school and maintaining satisfactory academic progress as determined by the individual province. Eligible Canadian students can also apply for a credit line through their bank. Interested students should contact their banks and provincial Canadian Student Loan offices for details and applications.

Canadian and International students can obtain private loans to meet all or part of their cost of attendance. These private loan programs are all credit based and are offered only to students who have a satisfactory credit history as determined by the lender. Both Canadian and International students will require a US citizen or Permanent Resident as a cosigner in order to qualify. These loans have repayment terms that begin following graduation or withdrawal from school and may be extended up to 20 years.