US Federal Student Aid (FSA) (Direct Loan) consumer information

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• Financial assistance available to students

  For a description of all the federal, local, private, and institutional need-based and non-need-based student financial assistance programs available, please see our fees and funding web pages. 

  The information is separated for undergraduate and postgraduate fees and funding. The rights and responsibilities of students receiving federal aid are referenced in the subsection US funding, and further detailed, supplemental information is provided to all students and parents engaging with the US Loan Team at St Andrews to apply for federal loans.

  Verification requirements

  As per Chapter 4 of the Application and Verification Guide section of the FSA Foreign Schools Handbook, verification requirements are not applicable to foreign schools.

  Consumer information from the Department

  The Department is required to make available to schools, lenders, and secondary schools descriptions of the FSA programs to assist students in gaining information through school sources and to assist schools in carrying out the FSA program requirements. We provide comprehensive student aid information to students and their families through the Student Aid website. Colleges and high schools may find student or borrower publications such as the College Preparation Checklist under resources in the Financial Aid Toolkit.

• Information about the school's academic programs, costs, facilities and policies

  Academic programs

  For information about current degree programs and other educational and training programs available at the University, please see the subjects at St Andrews pages. These pages include information on study options, program content, entry requirements and how to apply.

  For information about instructional, laboratory, and other facilities that relate to an academic program, and for faculty and other instructional personnel, please see the relevant department pages from our Academic Schools and Departments.

  School costs

  For information about the price of attendance, including tuition and fees, room and board and estimated costs for books and supplies, transportation costs, and any other additional costs, please see our tuition fees, accommodation fees, and cost of attendance pages.

  The cost of attendance (CoA) in USD is an estimate, based on average expenditures and using a sample exchange rate. The university does not administer CoA recalculations during the academic year to account for small fluctuations in the exchange rate.

  The cost of attendances page has a link to the Money Doctors page where you can find information on budgeting and a net price calculator tool.

  Before you apply for a loan, you should think about whether you can afford to make the repayments. StudentAid has a Loan Simulator which can estimate repayments to help you plan your education loans and repayment options.

  The US Department of Education has produced some helpful video guides about the types of loans that are available including eligibility, guidance on responsible borrowing and repayments, along with their own FSA Facebook page.

  Criteria for selecting recipients, determining the loan amount and approving students for Federal Student Aid are dependent upon the student satisfying the Federal Student Aid rules for eligibility, and the University of St Andrews’ rules for admission and continuation of study.

  Eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for aid are available from our US federal loans page.

  Please see the paying your fees web page for full information about payment options and methods of payment. This includes information about late payment penalties, the University's failure to pay policy and advice about fee payment scams.

  1098-T tax forms

  The University does not issue IRS 1098-T forms, but the same information can be viewed, and printed if required, from the student financial statement in MySaint. If you need an official student financial statement, a student can request this at any time from studentfinance@st-andrews.ac.uk. 

  Withdrawal procedures, refunds and return of aid

  Procedures for requesting a withdrawal from your studies. This can be viewed in line with the University policy for Leave of Absence, Re-engagement and Withdrawal and also the Title IV leave of absence policy for Postgraduate Research students (PDF).

  Students should be aware of the University of St Andrews refund procedure which includes the Return to Title IV (R2T4) policy.

  There is also a separate tuition fee liability policy.

  Accreditation and licensure

  Recognised university status and the authority to grant degrees was conferred on the University of St Andrews by Pope Benedict XIII in 1413, as specified by Papal Bull. In the UK, the power to award degrees is now regulated by law. Please see the list on the UK Government website for accredited institutions.

  The University of St Andrews is currently licensed to receive public monies in the United Kingdom by the Scottish Funding Council. This Funding Council is supported by the Scottish Government within the United Kingdom.

  The University of St Andrews is a Title IV accredited institution and is authorised to certify applications for both federal direct loans and alternative education (‘private’) loans.

  The University's school codes are:

  • Federal school code: G08461
  • OPE ID: 00846100

  Disability

  If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your being offered a chance to study here in St Andrews. Information on the services and facilities available to students with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, is available on the Student Support disabilities web pages.

  Any related costs can be added to the Cost of Attendance when applying for Federal or private loans.

  FSA eligibility for study abroad

  If you intend to study a program that has an option for a period of study abroad or includes a work placement (internship or externship), please email usloan@st-andrews.ac.uk to check that your intended program of study is eligible for Federal Loans.

  In accordance with the Eligible program requirements 34 CFR 668.8,

  • Programs studied in part at another UK or overseas (excluding institutions in the United States) higher education institution that is not authorised to provide Federal Student Aid are only eligible for Federal Student Aid if the proportion of study at the other institution is 25% of the overall course duration or less.
  • Programs which involve study in the United States are only eligible for Federal Student Aid if 25% or less of the program is taught in the US, and the institution in the US is an eligible institution.

  If you intend to study abroad at St Andrews, please refer to the financial aid office at your home institution. They will be responsible for confirming your eligibility for federal aid and for certifying any eligible loan requests.

  Transfer of credit policies

  The University of St Andrews accepts a small number of applications each year from students who wish to transfer to the University from another higher education institution. Please see the transfer students web pages for all information.

  Please also see the information on direct entry into second year.

  Student activities

  Life at the University of St Andrews is centred around an internationally renowned teaching system. However, it is the huge range of additional opportunities only St Andrews can provide which creates a unique experience. Please see the extensive information on the student experience at St Andrews web page.

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• Crime log

  The University has policies that encourage complete, timely reporting of all crimes to the campus security and appropriate law enforcement agencies. Campus Security can be contacted on security@st-andrews.ac.uk. Please see the University's police and personal safety web pages for extensive information and guidance on how to report to the police.

  The University has an additional Report + Support tool with further information and reporting options.

• Reported crimes must be recorded

  The University ensures that it has comprehensive arrangements for reporting incidents. All members of staff have responsibility for the safety and security of colleagues, visitors, students and buildings. It is therefore essential that all relevant incidents are reported immediately since such reporting allows the University to respond appropriately to individual events, identify recurring problems, establish accurate statistics and enhance its policy on security and related matters.

• Safety

  Please see the University's Health and Safety policy. The University has a commitment to ensure that all staff, students and members of the public affected by University services can pursue their activities in a manner and environment that supports high standards of health, safety and welfare.

  Please see further extensive information on the University's Environmental Health and Safety Services web pages.

  These commitments include emergency response and evacuation (see also Safe Evacuation of Persons Who May Need Assistance) and timely warning and emergency notification measures.

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• Entrance counseling for Federal Student Direct Loan borrowers

  The counseling procedure should be conducted through the StudentAid.gov website. The policy at St Andrews is that all students beginning a new program of study must complete a loan counseling session before a loan can be certified and disbursed. This ensures borrowers understand the terms and conditions of their loan and their latest rights and responsibilities under Title IV, HEA (Higher Education Act 1965) loan programs. This only needs to be completed in the first year of a new program.

• PLUS Credit Counseling for Federal Direct PLUS Loan borrowers

  This counseling is required by graduate students, or parents of undergraduate students, if the US Department of Education has informed you that you have an adverse credit history, but you have done one of the following:

  • obtained an endorser
  • documented extenuating circumstances to the satisfaction of the US Department of Education.

  PLUS Credit Counseling can be completed voluntarily at any time. If PLUS Credit Counseling is completed voluntarily and you are determined to have an adverse credit history by the US Department of Education within 30 days of PLUS Credit Counseling completion, your PLUS Credit Counseling requirement will be fulfilled.

• Annual student loan acknowledgement

  From 2021, the Department recommends that borrowers complete an Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment each year before accepting a new federal student loan. The goal is to help understanding of loans and how they affect a borrower’s financial future.

  First-time borrowers accepting a federal student loan are acknowledging that they understand their responsibility to repay the loan.

  Existing federal student loan borrowers are acknowledging that they understand how much is owed and how much more they are eligible to borrow.

  Borrowers will also see other federal student aid information, including the interest rates and repayment options to make managing student loans easier.

• Exit counseling for Federal Student Direct Loan borrowers

  The University of St Andrews will send a message to student borrowers of Direct Loans to complete exit counseling each time they drop below half-time enrolment, graduate or leave school. This may include students whose program of study ends prior to the date of their actual graduation.

  This message meets the Department exit counseling requirements by copying in non-institution email addresses, attaching the FSA Exit Counseling Guide and linking to the Exit Counseling module on StudentAid.gov.

  The University will update the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) with the new student status.

  Exit counseling is required by federal law to help Direct Loan borrowers to review their rights and responsibilities as a borrower and to understand their obligations and choices for repayment.

  The US Department of Education Studentaid.gov exit counseling pages contains all the information about individual loans and borrowers could save thousands of dollars by being well informed and planning repayment options long before they become due by following the guidance online.

  Federal Student Aid also has Financial Awareness Counseling. Whilst this is not compulsory, you may find it useful when planning your borrowing and spending.

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• Disclosures required for private education loans

  The Sallie Mae loan application and solicitation disclosures cover all regulatory information required by 15 U.S.C. 1638(e)(1) [12 CFR 226.47(a) in the Federal Reserve System regulations].

  It is important for prospective borrowers to note that you may qualify for FSA loans and that the terms and conditions of an FSA loan may be more favourable than the provisions of private education loans.

• Self-certification form for private education loans

  Student borrowers are now required to complete a self-certification form (supplied by your lender). To help you complete this it may be useful to refer to the appropriate cost of attendance table.

• Preferred lender lists

  The University of St Andrews does not have a preferred lender agreement with any specific lender of private education loans and will not endorse, promote or recommend any United States-based private student loan provider who may offer loans for study at foreign schools.

  The University will, in most cases, work with whichever private lender a prospective borrower decides to use. However, prospective borrowers should be aware that most private lenders choose not to offer loans to students studying outside the USA.

  Any reference to Sallie Mae in University communications or on the University of St Andrews website does not represent the existence of a ‘preferred’ lender and is merely used as an example of a lender. In the event that other companies begin to offer private student loans for study at foreign schools, they will be given equal visibility.

  The University of St Andrews has no affiliation with, and received no financial incentives from, Sallie Mae or any other private lender.