Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program. Eligible students may borrow Federal Direct Loans to help pay educational expenses while enrolled. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender for all Federal Direct Loans.
Federal student loans accrue interest, may be subject to origination fees, and must be repaid according to the terms of the promissory note. Additional information is available at StudentAid.gov.
Graduate and professional students may be eligible to borrow the following types of Federal Direct Loans:
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are subject to annual, aggregate, and lifetime borrowing limits established by federal law. Loan eligibility may not exceed the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA), as determined by ACHE, minus all other financial assistance received.
Graduate Students:
Professional Students:
Graduate Students:
Professional Students:
Lifetime Maximum Loan Limit: $257,500
This limit includes all loans received as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student under the Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, including graduate or professional PLUS loans borrowed by the student.
It does not include Parent PLUS Loans, consolidation loans (although the underlying loans are counted), or Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) or other health profession program loans.
All eligible loans count toward the limit regardless of repayment status, including amounts that have been repaid, forgiven, canceled, or discharged.
Once a borrower reaches the $257,500 lifetime maximum aggregate loan limit, they are no longer eligible to receive additional federal student loans, even if previous loans have been repaid, forgiven, canceled, or discharged.
Borrowers who qualify for a temporary federal interim exception may exceed the limit during the exception period; however, the total borrowing remains tracked and the limit will apply once the exception ends.
(Available only to borrowers who meet the federal interim exception requirements described below.)
The maximum loan amount is limited to the Cost of Attendance, less any other financial assistance awarded, including loans and scholarships.
*Only available to students who meet the federal interim exception criteria that allow for the continuation of pre–July 1, 2026, loan limits and eligibility. To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in the program of study at ACHE as of June 30, 2026, must have had a Direct Loan disbursed for that program prior to July 1, 2026, and must remain continuously enrolled in the same program of study at ACHE without a break in enrollment. This interim exception permits continued borrowing for the lesser of three academic years or the remaining expected time to credential.
Students who do not meet these criteria are not eligible to receive Graduate PLUS Loans for periods of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 2026, and must rely on Direct Unsubsidized Loans and, where applicable, private student loans.
First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers at ACHE must complete Entrance Counseling before loan funds can be disbursed. Entrance Counseling is available at StudentAid.gov.
Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before loan funds can be disbursed. The MPN is available at StudentAid.gov.
Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete exit counseling when they graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment. Exit counseling is available at StudentAid.gov.
Federal student loans must be repaid in accordance with the terms of the promissory note and federal regulations. Multiple repayment plans and borrower protections, including deferment and forbearance, may be available through StudentAid.gov.
Students may file a complaint, report suspicious activity, or provide positive feedback via the FSA Feedback System.
Private education loans may be an option for students who need additional funding beyond their federal financial aid eligibility. Private loans, sometimes referred to as “alternative loans,” are offered by private lenders and may help students cover educational expenses up to the Cost of Attendance, less any other financial aid received.
Private student loans are not federal student loans and do not offer the same repayment options, borrower protections, or benefits. Because federal loan terms are often more favorable, students are encouraged to exhaust their federal student loan eligibility before applying for a private loan. Students are encouraged to review the Department of Education’s information on Federal Versus Private Loans.
ACHE provides the FASTChoice tool to help students review and compare private education loan options, including historical lender information and disclosures required under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA).
Federal regulations require private education loan borrowers to complete a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form provided by their lender. The Office of Financial Aid can assist students in obtaining the information needed to complete this form.
ACHE does not maintain a preferred lender list and does not endorse or recommend any specific lender. Students are free to borrow from the private lender of their choice.
