Student Loans

KU Endowment offers long-term loans to students who are currently enrolled at KU in a degree-seeking program.

Continuing and returning students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.0. Transfer students who have never attended KU must have a 2.5 GPA. Freshman students (with a 3.0 high school GPA) beginning their first semester at KU are eligible to apply for an endowment loan. Refer to the Loan Amounts section for limits and disbursement information.

Long-term loans may not exceed the student’s cost of attendance as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Short-term loans may be an option for students not meeting the above criteria. If you are in need of a short-term loan, please call the KU Endowment Office at 785-832-7450.

Students may submit applications for the upcoming academic year beginning on July 1. Loans will be disbursed in two disbursements, the first disbursement will be scheduled in August, and the second disbursement will be scheduled in January. Spring disbursements are contingent upon students continued satisfactory academic progress for the prior semester. If students do not apply for a fall/spring loan prior to the start of the fall semester they may apply for a semester only loan. Please contact the KU Endowment Loan Office if you have questions regarding your eligibility for an endowment loan.

Lawrence / Edwards Campuses

Undergraduate freshman – up to $3,500 freshman academic year

($1,500 fall disbursement amount, and $2,000 spring disbursement amount)

Undergraduate – up to $5,000 per academic year – $12,000 overall maximum

($2,500 fall disbursement amount, and $2,500 spring disbursement amount)

Graduate – up to $6,000 per academic year – $12,000 overall maximum

($3,000 fall disbursement amount, and $3,000 spring disbursement amount)

International Undergraduate – $1,300 maximum
International Graduate – $1,500 maximum

Summer semester loan limits*
Undergraduate enrolled in 3 hours – $1,000
Undergraduate enrolled in 6 hours – $2,000

Graduate enrolled in 3 hours – $1,500
Graduate enrolled in 6 hours – $3,000

*Contact the Loan Office for approval for a summer semester loan request if a fall/spring loan has been received for the academic year.

KU Medical Center

Undergraduate – up to $6,000 per academic year – $12,000 overall maximum

($3,000 fall disbursement amount, and $3,000 spring disbursement amount)

Graduate – up to $6,000 per academic year – $12,000 overall maximum

($3,000 fall disbursement amount, and $3,000 spring disbursement amount)

Medical Students – up to $6000 per academic year – $24,000 maximum

Study Abroad Program loan limits

Undergraduate – up to $5,000 per semester (up to academic year maximum)
Graduate – up to $6,000 per semester (up to academic year maximum)

Bar Examination and Preparation Program loan limits
Up to $2,500 can be approved to help with bar loan examination cost or bar loan preparation program costs.

KU Endowment does not require a cosigner for students whose annual income is $25,000 or more. For students earning less than this amount, a cosigner is required. Student borrowers and cosigners must be at least 18 years of age. Cosigners cannot be KU students and must earn at least $25,000 a year. By signing the promissory note, the cosigner assumes full liability for repayment of the loan in the event of the borrower’s default. Past-due statements will be mailed to the cosigner if the borrower becomes delinquent in making loan payments.

In unusual circumstances, the cosigner requirement may be waived by KU Endowment after special consultation with the student.

Long-term loan repayment terms

Student borrowers who will graduate during an academic year will be invited to KU Endowment’s Spring Loan Exit Program. During this informational program KU Endowment loan staff members will provide each student borrower with a repayment schedule and disclosure statement.  For student borrowers not in attendance the loan repayment information will be emailed.  The loan repayment information is also mailed to each cosigner.  For students exiting the university prior to graduation, their loans will also enter repayment approximately 5 months from the end of the last semester attended. 

For Lawrence or Edwards Campus students, loan repayment will begin 5 months following graduation. For undergraduate or graduate students at KU Medical Center , repayment will begin one year after graduation. Medical student loans may be deferred until completion of internship or residency programs.

The sum of all the KU Endowment loans advanced to the borrower (excluding short-term loans), as well as the accrued interest, will be consolidated for repayment purposes, and may be repaid in equal installments of no less than $50 per month for a maximum of ten years. Borrowers may repay all or part of the principal and accrued interest at any time without penalty.

In the event that a borrower ceases to be regularly enrolled before graduating from KU, loan repayment will begin 5 months following the last semester of attendance.

Long-term loans that become 6 months delinquent are considered to be in default.  The interest rate on the loan will be increased to 14% and a hold will be placed on the student’s KU records.  In addition, the loan my be referred to a collection agency at which point the loans(s) will be reported to the national credit bureau.

Short-term loan repayment terms

Short- term loans are offered on a case-by-case basis to students who do not qualify for long-term loans, who do not have a cosigner or who need an emergency loan. Repayment of all short-term loans is due within one year of disbursement. However, if the borrower graduates within the year of disbursement, the due date will be established one semester prior to graduation.

Short-term loans that are not repaid in full by the established due date are considered to be in default. The loan will be referred to a collection agency, the interest rate on the loan will be increased to 14%  and a hold will be placed on the student’s KU records.

A loan origination fee of 2% will be assessed to all new long and short-term loans.

The annual interest rate on student loans is 5 percent from the date of issue to maturity. Delinquent loans are subject to a 14 percent annual interest rate. KU Endowment may assess a late penalty charge equal to 20 percent of the fixed payment amount for each late installment payment for long-term loans. A late fee of $10 may be assessed each month for short-term loans that are not paid in full by the maturity date.

Borrowers are also responsible for fees assessed for insufficient fund payments, delinquency letters and phone calls. In the event the borrower defaults on the loan, the borrower will be responsible for all costs and fees associated with any collection activity as permitted by federal and state laws.

Any unpaid indebtedness on a KU Endowment loan shall be canceled in the event of the borrower’s death.  

Other providers of federal student loans currently do not consolidate federal  student loans with private loans (KU Endowment loans).

For questions regarding the KU Endowment Loan Program, contact the KU Endowment Loan Office.