Below is a brief description of the Title IV Programs administered by the US Department of Education and the Title VII Programs administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services available to UAMS students. The eligibility requirements for each program may vary.

Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. The amount a student can receive will depend on their financial need, costs to attend school, status as a full or half-time student, and if they attend school for a full academic year or less.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG does not have to be repaid. This is a secondary grant program for students who have full Pell Grant eligibility and who are enrolled at least half-time. Funds are limited. Students who earn a bachelor’s degree are no longer eligible to receive this grant.

Federal Perkins Loans

A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) loan for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. These are campus based loans that are made with available government funds. UAMS is the lender.

• After graduating, a student may qualify for a portion of this loan to be cancelled on an annual basis. Please contact the Disbursement/Billing Division for eligibility requirements at 501.686.6128.

Repayment: Upon graduation/separation from school, you are entitled to a nine month grace period before repayment begins. You will receive monthly statements from our billing servicer, Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI). To view your account, set up a monthly draft, make payments, or download forms (postponement/cancellation, deferment, etc.) visit their website at www.ecsi.net. You may also contact the Disbursement/Billing Division at 501.686.6128 for questions regarding your loan(s) or to make payment by debit/credit card.

Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

Both Subsidized and Unsubsidized are low interest loans. The loans are made by a lender (bank, credit union, or saving and loan association). There is a fee up to 2% of the loan, deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement. A student may receive both a Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan for the same enrollment period as long as they don’t exceed the annual loan limits.

• Subsidized: available to students attending at least half-time and is based on financial need. While a student is continuously enrolled (half-time), they make no payments on the interest or principal of this loan.

• Unsubsidized: available to students who have NO financial need. The student is responsible for the interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it’s paid in full. They may choose to pay the interest or allow it to accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (added to the principle amount of the loan) while in school. Capitalizing the interest will increase the total amount of repayment.

Repayment: After the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment, they will have a six month grace period before beginning repayment. During this time, the student should receive repayment information from their lender and will be notified of their first payment due date. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the lender should they not receive this information.

Federal PLUS Loans (Parent Loans)

A Federal PLUS Loan (for Parents) has a fixed interest rate of 8.5%. There is a fee of up to 4% of the loan, deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement. This loan is available for parents in order to help pay the student’s education expenses. The student must be considered a dependent undergraduate student and enrolled at least half time in a degree seeking program. The parents must have acceptable credit history and meet other general eligibility requirements.

Repayment: The borrower has the option of beginning repayment on the PLUS loan 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or they may opt to wait until six months after the dependent student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Graduate PLUS Loans

A Graduate PLUS Loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.5%. This loan is available for graduate students. This loan is subject to the terms of the Parent PLUS Loans including credit history and other general eligibility requirements. Additionally, the student must have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized Program before applying for this loan.

Repayment: The student begins repayment at the time of the last disbursement of the loan.

Title VII Programs administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services:

Federal Health Professions Student Loans

A Federal Health Professions Loan has a fixed interest rate of 5%. This loan is available to College of Pharmacy students enrolled full time and is based on financial need. The student must also provide their parent’s income tax information. UAMS is the lender of this campus based loan.

Repayment: Upon graduation/separation from school, you are entitled to a twelve month grace period before repayment begins. You will receive monthly statements from our billing servicer, Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI). To view your account, set up a monthly draft, make payments, or download forms (postponement/cancellation, deferment, etc.) visit their website at www.ecsi.net. You may also contact the Disbursement/Billing Division at 501.686.6128 for questions regarding your loan(s) or to make payment by debit/credit card.

Federal Nursing Student Loans

A Federal Nursing Student Loan has a fixed interest rate of 5%. This loan is available to College of Nursing undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time and is based on financial need. UAMS is the lender of this campus based loan.

Repayment: Upon graduation/separation from school, you are entitled to a nine month grace period before repayment begins. You will receive monthly statements from our billing servicer, Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI). To view your account, set up a monthly draft, make payments, or download forms (postponement/cancellation, deferment, etc.) visit their website at www.ecsi.net. You may also contact the Disbursement/Billing Division at 501.686.6128 for questions regarding your loan(s) or to make payment by debit/credit card.

Scholarships

Academic scholarships are awarded by the individual colleges. Please contact your respective Registrar’s office for further information.