How do I apply for an Emergency Tuition and Fees Loan (ETFL)?

The application for an ETFL is available online at sfaid.tamu.edu/stlapp.

Note: Once approved for a loan, students receive instructions via email to sign a Master Promissory Note before funds release. Instructions are sent to the student’s official Texas A&M University email address. Eligible students will sign their Master Promissory Note via Adobe Sign. Students who are not eligible to authenticate using an electronic signature receive instructions on completing the Master Promissory Note with a wet (Pen and Paper) signature.

Does my financial aid automatically pay for my ETFL?

Your financial aid refund may be applied toward your ETFL, but this is not always the case. It is your responsibility to use any refunds given to you to repay an outstanding ETFL. You need to ensure your outstanding ETFL balance is at zero by the due date.

Where can I pay my ETFL?

You may make payments on your ETFL in the Student Business Services, located in the General Services Complex. You can also repay your loan through Howdy:

• Sign into Howdy
• Search for Financial Aid Portal, and follow the link to the portal
• At the bottom in the Institutional Loans section click on Pay/View. 

You may also log in to your MyAggieLoans Portal.

Am I eligible for more than one ETFL in the same semester?

Yes, If the following apply:

• You are not past due on a previous ETFL
• You still have outstanding required tuition and fees
• You have not applied for an ETFL up to 100% of your tuition and fees for that semester

Are extensions available for an ETFL?

Student Business Services handles all repayment arrangements. You may contact Aggie One Stop, or visit them in the General Services Complex.

What is the simple interest rate on the ETFL?

The interest rate on all ETFLs is 5% per annum. A late fee assesses after the due date for any unpaid balances. Additionally, there is a $10 processing fee for every emergency tuition and fee loan.

How do I receive the funds for the ETFL?

The ETFL funds are applied to your student billing account, so you will not receive any funds directly.

What is the maximum amount I can borrow with the ETFL?

The maximum amount you can borrow is the amount due on your required tuition and fees for the semester in which you are applying. This loan will not cover optional fees (sports passes, parking etc.). If you need money to pay for optional fees, please consider a Short-Term Loan.

If I borrowed an ETFL in a previous semester, do I need to sign a new Master Promissory Note?

You do not need to sign a new Master Promissory Note if you have borrowed an ETFL in a previous semester.

How do I apply for a Short-Term Loan?

The application for Short-Term Loans is available online at sfaid.tamu.edu/stlapp.

Note: Once approved, students receive instructions via their official Texas A&M University email address to sign a promissory note and self-certification form before funds release. Eligible students can use Adobe Sign for identity authentication to electronically sign the promissory note. Students who are not eligible to authenticate using an electronic signature receive instructions on completing the promissory note and self-certification with a wet signature (Pen to paper) via email.

Can I pay my tuition and fees with a Short-Term Loan?

Short-Term Loans can be used to pay optional fees on your billing account. The eligible fees are:

• residence hall rent
• meal plans
• sports passes
• parking, etc.

What is the interest rate on my Short-Term Loan?

There is a simple interest rate of 8%. There is also a $10 processing fee that is added to the total loan amount to be repaid.

How long is the repayment period for a Short-Term Loan?

Repayment periods vary from one to twelve months. It is depending on the loan amount requested, your classification, and your financial resources available to repay the loan. Veterinary students may have 24 months to repay their short-term loans.

What is the penalty for default on my Short-Term Loan?

For any unpaid balance after your due date, an additional 0.5% per month will be charged on the unpaid principal balance. You will be blocked from receiving other Short-Term Loans and blocked from registration. Additionally, your credit report will reflect the default on your Short-Term Loan.

What are the eligibility requirements for my Short-Term Loan due date?

To qualify for a Short-Term Loan, you must be a half-time student, meet GPA requirements, and clear of all past due loans and blocks. For more information, view eligibility requirements under your classification above.

Can I get an extension on my Short-Term Loan?

Will my financial aid refund automatically pay off my Short-Term Loan?

No, your financial aid refund will not pay your Short-Term Loan balance. It is your responsibility to make payments to Student Business Services. 

You can pay online at myaggieloans.tamu.edu or through Howdy:

• Search for Financial Aid Portal and follow the link to the portal
• At the bottom in the Institutional Loans section, click on Pay/View MyAggieLoans.

Do I have to come in and sign a promissory note every time I request a Short-Term Loan?

You must sign a new Promissory Note and self-certification form each time you borrow via Adobe Sign if eligible, or via email. All short-term loans have a required three-business day right to cancel period before funds pay to your student bill. Requests for Short-Term Loans vary in amounts and length of repayment. Each Short-Term Loan requires a new promissory note and self-certification form for every loan requested.

How much money can I borrow through a Short-Term Loan?

The amount of money you can borrow through the Short-Term Loan Program depends on your university classification. The amount can range from $1,000-$1,500 for undergraduate, graduate, and professional (JD, DDS, MD, and PharmD) students. Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students can borrow up to $2500.

How quickly can I receive my Short-Term Loan?

The Short-Term Loans review process happens within 1-2 business days. Once approved, you will need to sign your Promissory Note and self-certification form electronically through Adobe Sign, or sign and email the completed forms to stl@tamu.edu. After the promissory note and self-certification form signatures, your loan will enter a three-business day Right to Cancel period. After the three business days, your loan pays to your student billing account. If the loan is for something other than optional fees, funds refund to you within 2-3 business days after it pays to your billing account. Please make sure you have your direct deposit set up to receive any refunds from the university.

What are considered acceptable expenses I can use my Short-Term Loan on?

Books and Supplies Loan – This loan can be used for books and supplies. You must be enrolled in courses at Texas A&M University in the current semester. Maximum loan amount is $800.00 
 
Housing and Food Loan – This loan can be used for dorm, meal plan, off-campus rent, food, electricity, phone, and other living expenses. 
 
Field Trips/Study Abroad Loan – This loan can be used for study abroad or field trip expenses. These expenses can be on the billing account and expenses not on the billing account. Funds are available for academically required Texas A&M University programs only. Maximum repayment period is at the end of the study abroad trip.
 
Aggie Ring Loan – Qualified students may borrow money to help them in purchasing a basic 10K Aggie Senior Ring. You must have completed 90 credit hours when you apply to be eligible. You may only be approved for one Aggie Ring Loan during your academic career. Visit Aggie Network website to see current ring prices. 
 
Senior Cadet Loan – This loan is available to help buy articles for a Senior Cadet uniform. You must have completed at least 60 credit hours to be eligible for this loan. Maximum loan amount is $500.00. Maximum repayment period is six months. 
 
Graduating Student Loan – This loan is to help with State Board and/or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) fees, Texas Bar Examination fees, and the purchase of graduation regalia or printed invitations. 
 
Optional Fees Loan – This loan is for students who show a balance of optional fees on their billing account. (i.e., parking, residence hall rent, meal plan, sports pass) 
 
Graduation Relocation Loan – Graduating students who are degree candidates during the current semester can use this loan. You must have applied for graduation and the diploma fee must appear on the billing account. These loans can pay out no sooner than one month prior to graduation. The maximum loan amount is $500.00. The maximum repayment period is six months. If you have already graduated, you are not eligible for this loan. 
 
Interview Loan – You may purchase suits, plane tickets or anything related to an interview to apply for this loan. The maximum loan amount is $500.00 
 
Emergency Medical Loan – This loan is available for expenses related to medical charges. 
 
Co-op Loan – You must provide verification of co-op enrollment. Maximum repayment period is four months. 
 
Car Repair Loan – This loan is used for expenses related to car repairs. 
 
Daycare Loan – This loan is available for daycare expenses. 
 
Computer Loan – You can use this loan to buy a computer or to help pay for computer repairs. 
 
Car Payments and/or Insurance – This loan is to help you pay your car payments and insurance while in school. 
 
Short-Term Loans are not approved for past due loans, credit card payments or paying someone else for money that was borrowed for any of these acceptable reasons. 
 
Additionally, your prior institutional loan history, academic records, financial aid eligibility and Title IV debt status are reviewed before approval of all Short-Term Loans. 

What should I do before applying for a Short-Term Loan for Education Abroad?

Before applying for the Short-Term Loan for Education Abroad, make sure you have submitted the Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request (CAAR) form. You can submit your form in your Financial Aid portal under the Status tab and use the link to upload your documents. This confirms your participation in an Education Abroad program with Scholarships & Financial Aid, and adjusts your Cost of Attendance. Please work with Education Abroad to complete this form and upload it to your Financial Aid portal. More information can be found here: Education Abroad Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request. 

Do I need to use federal loans before applying for the Short-Term Loan for Education Abroad?

Students are encouraged to explore and utilize all available funding options to support their Education Abroad program, including scholarships, federal financial aid (such as Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans), alternative/private loans and personal funding. It is highly encouraged to use any remaining federal loan eligibility, which often comes with lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options. 

The Short-Term Loan is designed to provide flexibility in covering program-related costs or managing payments over time, especially when timing or other funding limitations present a challenge. If you're unsure about your options, review your current aid offer in the Financial Aid portal. If you still have questions, please reach out to Aggie One Stop for more information. 

What are the loan repayment timelines?

Repayment for a short-term loan must occur within 2 months after the end of your program. If approved for a summer short-term loan, you cannot apply for another short-term loan for the fall semester until the summer loan is paid off. 

How can I increase my chances of Short-Term Loan approval?

• Clearly explain your ability to repay the loan (e.g., using a credit card, alternative loans or family funds).

• Detail your expenses and repayment timeline, especially for higher loan amounts.

• Pay off any existing short-term loans in repayment and ensure you are clear of any past due balance holds with Student Business Services.

What can a Short-Term Loan cover for my Education Abroad program?

• Flight expense

• Program fees or service fees

• Travel documents such as a passport

• Field trip expenses

What expenses are NOT covered by a Short-Term Loan for my Education Abroad program?

• Ed Abroad Tuition and Fees 

• Spouse and dependent’s trip expenses 

When can I request a Short-Term Loan for my Education Abroad trip?

What information should I include in my Short-Term Loan appeal?

How much do I owe?

On the Manage Loans page of the Federal Student Aid website, you can check your federal student loan history, including disbursement amounts and dates, and your assigned loan service providers. Your total loan debt includes all outstanding loan principal and interest, plus any additional service fees charged by your servicer. This data should be checked, as you would all credit history, for updates and errors.

Since some student loans accumulate interest while in school, during grace periods, and while in deferment or forbearance and repayment, the total debt may increase with time.

Read Preparing For Repayment to make sure you are ready.

When do I begin repayment?

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans have a six-month grace period. During the grace period, you do not need to make any payments on your loans. Your grace period begins once you drop below half-time enrollment; this includes graduating or withdrawing from the university.

The pause on federal student loan payments and interest expired on September 1, 2023, and loan repayment resumed in October 2023.

Remember: there is no penalty for repaying your student loan early.

How much will my monthly payment be?

Many factors influence the monthly payment amount, total payout and length of repayment including:

• Amount borrowed
• Origination or other fees
• Interest rate
• Type of repayment plan

Monthly payments can be estimated using the Federal Student Aid Repayment Simulator. Several different options exist for repayment plans to suit a variety of financial situations. Read How to Pick the Right Repayment Plan for tips on choosing what is best for you. 

For details on repayment plans available, visit StudentAid.gov.

Who do I pay?

Your loan will be held by an organization called a servicer; this is who you will send your monthly payments to. Visit the Manage Loans page on the Federal Student Aid website to find out who your servicer is. You should be notified by each servicer of all repayment information.

Unfortunately, student loan repayment scams are on the rise. Read these Tips for Avoiding Student Aid Scams and check out this video on how to stay safe.

What happens if I do not make my payments?

When it comes time to repay your federal student loan(s), if a payment is missed the loan(s) become past due, or delinquent. If the loan(s) remain delinquent for 90 days or more, your loan servicer will report the delinquency to the three major credit bureaus. This may affect your ability to sign up for utilities, get a cell phone plan, or get approved to rent an apartment. 

If the loan(s) remain in delinquency for at least 270 days, they will be considered in default.  Consequences of default include, but are not limited to:

• Inability to apply for periods of deferment or forbearance
• Loss of eligibility for additional federal student aid
• Withholding of tax refunds
• Wage garnishment

The U.S. Department of Education releases official cohort default rates once per year.  A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1st to September 30th, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. The FY 2021 national cohort default rate is 0.0%. Please visit Federal Student Aid’s Official Cohort Default Rate webpage and enter 003632 for the OPEID to view Texas A&M University’s cohort default rate by fiscal year. 

For more information on understanding default, please visit Federal Student Aid’s Student Loan Delinquency and Default webpage.

Loan Debt Relief

On June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court blocked the Student Loan Debt Relief program. The pause on federal student loan payments and interest expired on September 1, 2023, and payments resumed in October 2023.

Learn more:

• Find up-to-date information from the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education main page or the One-time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief page.
• Review How to prepare for successful student loan Repayment
• Read the Repaying Your Loans brochure from the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education.
• The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan is the newest income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Like other IDR plans, the SAVE Plan calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. The SAVE Plan provides the lowest monthly payments of any IDR plan available to nearly all student borrowers.

*Note: Aggie One Stop cannot advise a student as to who their loan servicer is or how much they borrowed. Borrowers should log in to studentaid.gov to view their loan history and find contact information for their loan servicer. 

How much do I owe?

For information on how much you owe, contact the lender for each alternative loan. You can also see what you have borrowed while at Texas A&M on the Student Loan Debt Summary, found on the "Helpful Links" page in your Financial Aid Portal. Alternative Loans will not show up in the National Student Loans Data System.

How much will my monthly payments be?

Many factors can affect the monthly payment amount, total payout and length of repayment including:

• Amount borrowed
• Origination or other fees
• Interest rate
• Type of repayment plan

When do I have to begin repaying my loan?

Repayment terms for Alternative Loans will differ based on the lender and terms of your loan. The promissory note that you signed for your loan will contain your repayment terms, options, and responsibilities. Many lenders offer incentives for timely repayment and options for repayment plans. Some lenders also have options to delay payment on your loans (deferment), or temporarily stop or reduce your required payment (forbearance).

Who do I repay?

You will repay the lender that you took the alternative loan with.

How much do I owe?

You can find the balance that is owed on your College Access Loan by signing in to your Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board account.

How much will my monthly payments be?

Many factors can affect the monthly payment amount, total payout and length of repayment including:

• Amount borrowed
• Origination or other fees (if applicable)
• Interest rate
• Type of repayment plan

Loan balances under $30,000 have up to a ten-year repayment period with minimum monthly payments of $50. Loan balances of $30,000 or more have a repayment period up to 20 years.

When do I have to begin repaying my loan?

College Access Loans have a six-month grace period. During the grace period, you do not need to make any payments on your loans. Your grace period begins once you drop below half-time enrollment; this includes graduating or withdrawing from the university.

Remember: there is no penalty for repaying your student loan early.

Who do I repay?

Your College Access Loan is repaid to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Loan Repayment Programs

There are various repayment programs offered through the State of Texas. For more information on eligibility for these programs, visit the links below: 

• Loan Repayment Programs offered through the State of Texas  
• Loan Repayment Programs for Law Students
• Loan Repayment Programs for Medical Students 
• Loan Repayment Programs for Mental Health Professionals
• Loan Repayment Program for Nursing 

How much do I owe?

You can find the balance that is owed on your FORWARD loan by signing in to your Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board account.

How much will my monthly payments be?

Many factors can affect the monthly payment amount, total payout and length of repayment including:

• Amount borrowed
• Origination or other fees (if applicable)
• Interest rate
• Type of repayment plan

FORWARD Loan borrowers will have up to a ten-year repayment period.

When do I have to begin repaying my loan?

FORWARD Loans have a six-month grace period. During the grace period, you do not need to make any payments on your loans. Your grace period begins once you drop below half-time enrollment: this includes graduating or withdrawing from the university.

There is no penalty for repaying your student loan early. 

Who do I repay?

Your FORWARD Loan is repaid to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Loan Repayment Programs

How much do I owe?

You may view your loan balance, make payments, and learn about repayment options by clicking on the Borrower/Student image at the center of the Heartland ECSI homepage.

When do I have to begin repaying my loan?

Health Professions Student Loans and Loans for Disadvantaged Students have a twelve-month grace period. During the grace period, you do not need to make any payments on your loans. Your grace period begins once you drop below half-time enrollment; this includes graduating or withdrawing from the university.

Remember: there is no penalty for repaying your student loan early.

How much will my monthly payments be?

Many factors influence the monthly payment amount, total payout and length of repayment including:

• Amount borrowed
• Interest rate
• Type of repayment plan
• Other fees, such as late payment charges

You can contact Heartland ECSI for more information on estimated monthly payments.

Who do I pay?

Health Professions Student Loans and Loans for Disadvantaged Students are repaid to Texas A&M University through Heartland ECSI.

• Customer Contact Number: (888) 549-3274
• ECSI Website: www.heartlandecsi.com
  • (Texas A&M University’s School Code is RM)

How much do I owe?

You can visit your MyAggieLoans Portal to view balances from Emergency Tuition and Fees Loans (ETFL) and Short Term Loans (STL).

When do I have to begin repaying my loan?

For Emergency Tuition and Fees Loans:

• Fall/Spring loans are due about 90 days after the loan is applied to your student billing account.
• Summer loans are due about 30 days after the loan is applied to your student billing account.

For Short-Term Loans:

• You select the length of your repayment period on your loan application; this period can be anywhere between one and twelve months long.

For the exact due date on your ETFL or STL, check MyAggieLoans Portal.

If your loan is not paid in full by the due date, registration will be blocked until the account is paid in full. Past due loans are subject to collection fees, attorney fees, higher interest rates, as well as negative credit reports to national credit bureaus. You may contact Student Business Services via telephone at 979-847-3337 for questions about your loan repayment.

How much will my payments be?

The entire ​loan balance is due by the set due date, but there are no monthly payments required on ​either of these loans. There are no penalties for repaying your loan before the due ​date.

Who do I pay?

Please repay ETFLs and STLs via your MyAggieLoans Portal . Repayment terms are fixed for the semester in which you request the loan. All payments will be due on the 15th day of the month.

Depending on timing, your financial aid refund could apply toward your ETFL balance, but this is not always the case. It is your responsibility to use any refunds issued to you to repay your ETFL by the due date.