You may apply for loans at any point during a semester in which you are enrolled at least 6 credits. 

The following deadlines are merely for priority processing, and processing in time to meet tuition due dates.

Loan Application Due Dates

Students should submit loan applications by the following dates for their funds to post by the billing due date, and for their refunds to be available as early as possible. Students can still submit loan applications after the deadline, but the loan may not post to the student account by the due date.

Fall Semester: Second week in July

Spring Semester: Second week in November

Summer Semester: First week in June

Federal Direct Loan Application Instructions

  1. Fill out the FAFSA. See steps 4-6 for additional information.
  2. Login to Workday. From your Workday home screen, click the Financial Aid Dashboard applications.
  3. Complete the GSAS Stafford Loan Application.
  4. FAFSA Tips: the Title IV school code (Section H) is 002133. Master’s and PhD students are considered independent and do not need to provide their parents’ financial information. Master’s and PhD students may request up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Loans per year ($41,000 for MAT). Postbaccalaureate students may request up to $12,500 in their first year only ($5,500 for dependent postbaccalaureate students).
  5. After submitting the FAFSA, the Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR). When the SAR arrives, carefully check it for accuracy and make any necessary corrections. The GSAS office will receive this information electronically.
  6. If you are selected for verification, you may be asked to complete additional paperwork or submit supporting documentation such as proof of citizenship or income tax forms. You will be notified by the GSAS Office or Student Financial Services should you be required to do so.
  7. Once you have been approved for a Federal Direct Loan, the GSAS Office will send a loan letter to you outlining the amount and disbursement schedule for your loan.
  8. Complete Entrance Counseling. To begin your Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Entrance Counseling session online, go to the U.S. Department of Education's Direct Loan Servicing website and click the green "Sign In" button at the top left of the screen. You will need your FSA ID in order to sign in.  If you have not yet created your FSA ID, you should do so first.
  9.  Sign Master Promissory Note (MPN). Once you have completed Entrance Counseling, you will need to sign your MPN.  
    Important: Please select "Brandeis University"; Do not select "Brandeis University-Graduate School of Arts and Sciences" on the Department of Education's website. Failure to sign your MPN will result in cancellation of this loan under federal regulations. If the cancellation of this loan causes a balance due on your account, a hold will be placed on your account. 
  10. Once you have fulfilled all loan and course registration requirements, you may then file for a refund of your credit balance through your student account. The earliest loan credit can be released from your account is 10 days before classes begin.