Graduate students pursuing a Master of Science in Human Resource Development or a Master in Public Adminstration at Villanova University through our partnership with University Alliance are eligible for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan through the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. Please see the University Alliance website for more information about the online MS in Human Resource Development and the Master in Public Administration and how to apply for admission.

*Students interested in attending the campus-based MS in Human Resource Development or Master in Public Administration can find information about the program and admission from here and about graduate financial aid.

Financial Aid Overview

Matriculated students in a graduate degree-seeking program are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 in the Direct Unsubsidized Loan each academic year.  Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, graduate and professional students are no longer eligible to receive Federal Direct Subsidized Loans.  The terms and conditions of Direct Subsidized Loans received by any student for loan periods beginning before July, 1 2012, for either graduate or undergraduate study, are not affected by this change.  The annual loan limit for graduate and professional students remains unchanged at $20,500, but this amount is limited to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.  The total lifetime aggregate limit also remains unchanged at $138,500.

The Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate students accrue a fixed interest rate of 6.8%. Direct Unsubsidized Loans will disburse evenly for each term a student is enrolled in the academic year.  If the Direct Unsubsidized loans do not fully cover a student's educational costs, students can consider a Direct Graduate PLUS loan. More information about the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program including fees, aggregate loan limits, repayment, and Direct Loan Consolidation is available on our website.

The Financial Aid Process

To apply for financial aid for the 2013-2014 academic year, a student will need to do the following:

Complete a 2013-2014 FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov with Villanova’s school code 003388.

After reviewing your FAFSA information, matriculation status, and enrollment, the Office of Financial Assistance will notify you of your Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility by sending an email to your Villanova University email account.  The email will include instructions on how to view your awards in the myNOVA student portal.

Once the Direct Unsubsidized Loan has been awarded, there are two requirements students need to complete in order for the loan funds to disburse:

• Complete Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov
• Sign a Master Promissory Note for the Direct Loans at www.studentloans.gov

Villanova University will be notified automatically once both requirements are complete.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds are required to pay directly to students’ Villanova University accounts in equal disbursement amounts.  A loan disbursement is scheduled to pay each 8-week term a student is enrolled.  Loan funds disburse directly to the student’s account at Villanova during the second week of each term, after the add/drop period has ended. 

Once a loan disbursement has arrived at Villanova, the Office of Financial Assistance will conduct a review of the student’s financial aid award.  This review ensures the cost of attendance matches the student’s original plan of enrollment, and that any outside sources of aid, tuition discount, or employer reimbursement, etc. have been included as resources for the student. The Office of Financial Assistance also reviews to ensure the student is enrolled for the specific term the loan disbursement was received.

Remitting payment to University Alliance and Refunding Loan Disbursements

University Alliances manages the billing of charges for both the Master of Science in Human Resource Development program and the Master of Public Administration program. Beginning with the Summer II session of the 2011-2012 academic year, Villanova University began a new streamlined process of forwarding the loan disbursement directly to University Alliance for payment of tuition and/or book charges.

Students receiving Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan funds, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan funds or a private education loan will no longer receive a refund for the full loan disbursement.  Villanova University will send the loan disbursement directly to University Alliance for tuition and/or book charges.  If a credit balance remains after the full tuition and book charges are paid for each 8-week term, then a student will receive a refund from the Bursar’s Office at Villanova.  If a student still has a remaining balance with University Alliance after the full loan disbursement has been remitted for an 8-week term, then the student will need to seek additional payment arrangements to cover the remaining charges (such as applying for a Direct Graduate PLUS loan, etc.). Students should contact their Student Services Representative at 1-800-280-9718 or via email at studentservices@universityalliance.com.

Upon the registration of courses, students will receive an order from University Alliance via email detailing their tuition and/or book charges for that term. Questions about the billing process should be directed to the Student Services Representative at University Alliance at 1-888-622-7344, ext. 4322 or via email at studentservices@universityalliance.com.  Please note that if a student is not utilizing financial aid, all payment arrangements need to be made directly with University Alliance.

For example:

A student first enrolls in the MS in Human Resource Development program during the Summer II session. The student submits a 2013-2014 FAFSA and completes Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note for the Direct Loans:

• The Office of Financial Assistance will automatically award the maximum Direct Unsubsidized loans for the full academic year, which in this case will be for Summer II through Spring II terms, up to the cost of attendance.
• Loan disbursements will be scheduled to pay after the add/drop period for each 8-week term.
• After enrollment and outside sources of aid are confirmed, Villanova University will send loan disbursement funds directly to University Alliance for tuition and/or book charges.
• Any remaining amount from the loan disbursement will be sent directly to the student in the form of a refund check or via direct deposit if the student has provided banking information through the e-refund sign-up in myNOVA.
• If a balance still exists for the term after the full loan disbursement has been remitted to University Alliance by Villanova, the student will need to seek additional funding.

*New for 2012-2013: New and continuing students in the MS HRD & MPA programs need to complete an Authorization to Release Federal Loan Funds if they wish to use their loan disbursement to pay for book charges through University Alliance. This form can be reviewed and printed here: