Student Loans

Explore the types of loans that might be available to help fund your education.

  1. Admissions & Aid
  2. Financial Aid & Scholarships
  3. Loans
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Investing in Your Future

Student loans are a type of funding that must be repaid. Student loans are offered by federal or private sources. Some student loans are interest-free while you are in school and low interest during the repayment period. In general, the federal loan interest rates and repayment options tend to be more favorable than private student loans from non-federal sources.

Before making a decision about taking out a private educational loan or selecting a lender, take a moment to compare federal versus private loans, research each lenders' interest rates, loan terms, and repayment options to help you select the best loan for your needs and one you can afford to repay.

Learn about the loans included on award letters and others for which students can apply using the navigation bar.

What to Do with Loans in Your Financial Aid Offer Letter 

Students will receive an email alert that their financial aid offer letter is available to view. Students can view their financial aid offer letter in the Financial Aid Portal through mySeattleU.

The financial aid offer letter shows the types and amounts of aid students are eligible for and how it is distributed each quarter throughout the academic year. Some of the aid offered will be in the form of federal direct loans. The offer letter generally lists the maximum amount of loan funding the student may borrow for the academic year and are awarded at the "accepted" status.

To reduce or decline Federal Direct Loans before they have disbursed, students log on to mySeattleU and click on the Financial Aid Self Service Portal. From the checklist item: "Review My Awards", students can select "Decline".

To request a reduced amount or decline any of these loans after they have disbursed, students should use the Financial Aid Revision Request Form, specifying the amount to which they want their loans reduced, and which academic year or term the change is requested for.

  • Revised loan amounts are distributed equally across all quarters for which students are expected to enroll.
  • When a student's requested revision is complete, a notification that a revised award letter is available at mySeattleU is sent to the student's Seattle University email address.
  • Processing time for revision forms is typically one week.

For Your EducationReliable Support

98%

OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVED AID (2025–26)

From merit scholarships to award packages, Seattle University supports your success.

Graduation Cap Icon

$120,000 AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Most SU students come from households earning less than $120,000 annually.

$13K

LESS DEBT

On average, SU students borrow over $13,000 less than the national average, and 35% do not need to take out any loans.

Supporting Offices

Get in Touch

We’re here to help. For questions or more information about financial aid contact:

Student Financial Services

Vi Hilbert Hall, 2nd floor
Monday–Friday 9:30am–4:00pm
Drop-in Counselors available 10:00am–3:00pm