London Metropolitan University participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and is approved by the US Department of Education to administer federal student aid to eligible students studying at the University.
Direct loans are low interest loans for US citizens and their parents to help pay for the cost of a student's education after high school. The lender is the US Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. The direct loan borrower benefits from protected interest rates, deferment and cancellation provision, income based and income contingent repayment plans, a public service forgiveness programme and consolidated interest on prior loans.
Eligible US students may apply for federal loans to assist with tuition fees and approved educational living costs while studying in London.
Initial applications for US Financial Aid are made through the US Department of Education. However, London Metropolitan University is responsible for administering and disbursing loans. It is therefore important that you read the information on these pages about current loan amounts, eligibility requirements, application procedures and deadlines. Please read all the relevant sections, including the recommended external information references, follow the procedures given and adhere to the deadlines. You can email usfinancialaid@londonmet.ac.uk if you have any questions.
This page provides an overview of:
- eligibility of US federal aid
- federal regulatory changes from 1 July 2026
- available loan categories
- continuing student ("grandfathered") arrangements
- Cost of Attendance (COA)
- satisfactory academic progress requirements
- links to detailed application and borrowing guidance
Important Changes to Federal Student Aid from 1 July 2026
US federal student aid regulations are changing from 1 July 2026 following amendments to Title IV funding legislation.
These changes affect:
- Graduate PLUS loan availability
- annual borrowing limits
- aggregate lifetime borrowing limits
- Patent PLUS borrowing caps
- postgraduate borrowing eligibility
- federal repayment arrangements
Students beginning new programmes from the 2026/27 academic year may receive significantly lower federal funding than under previous regulations. Students are strongly encouraged to review all borrowing limits and funding availability carefully before accepting federal loans.
Eligible students
Federal Direct Loans are available to eligible students who:
- are US citizens or eligible non-citizens
- hold a valid Social Security Number and US passport
- are enrolled on an eligible programme at London Metropolitan University
- meet all federal student aid eligibility requirements
- maintan Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Some programmes may not qualify for federal aid under US Department of Education regulations.
Loan Categories
Eligible students may apply for federal loan funding depending on their level of study and eligibility status.
Available federal loan categories may include:
- Direct Subisidized Loans
- Direct Unsubisidized Loans
- Parent PLUS Loans
Graduate PLUS Loans are unavailable to new postgraduate borrowers beginning study from 1 July 2026. Detailed information regarding loan types and borrowing limits is available on the Loan Amounts and Types page.
Continuing Students and Transitional Arrangements
Some continuing students may qualify for transitional (“grandfathered”) borrowing protections under US federal regulations.
Students who:
- borrowed Graduate PLUS loans before 1 July 2026
- remain continuously enrolled
- continue on the same eligible academic programme
may remain eligible for certain borrowing arrangements that are no longer available to new borrowers.
Students who interrupt their studies, withdraw, transfer programmes, or begin a new programme may lose grandfathered eligibility and may instead be treated as new borrowers under post-2026 federal regulations.
Further guidance for continuing students is available on the Continuing Students page.
Existing Federal loans
Federal student aid is subject to:
- annual borrowing limits
- aggregate lifetime borrowing limits
- overall federal borrowing regulations established by the US Department of Education
Previous federal borrowing may reduce remaining eligibility for future study. Detailed borrowing limits are available on the Loan Amounts and Types page.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
London Metropolitan University calculates a Cost of Attendance (COA) for students receiving federal aid.
The COA is an estimate of educational expenses and may include:
- tuition fees
- accommodation costs
- food and living expenses
- local transportation
- books and course materials
- visa and immigration costs
- approved travel expenses
The COA is used for federal aid administration purposes only. Federal annual and aggregate borrowing limits may restrict the amount a student is eligible to borrow regardless of their approved COA. Students may therefore require additional personal funding while studying in London.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
SAP requirements include:
- maintaining required academic performance standards
- successfully completing sufficient credits
- progressing toward programme completion within the permitted timeframe
Failure to maintain SAP requirements may result in the loss of federal aid eligibility. Further information regarding SAP requirements is available from the University’s US Loans Administration Team.
Loan Disbursement
Federal loan funds are normally disbursed in instalments during the academic year, one per term, (two disbursements for UG students and three disbursements for PG students). Tuition fees owed to the University will be deducted before any remaining balance is released to the student for approved living costs.
For students on a standard, September start, academic year, the earliest disbursement dates will be as follows:
| Disbursement 1 | Disbursement 2 | Disbursement 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate students | 6 October 2026 |
9 February 2027 |
N/A |
| Postgraduate students | 6 October 2026 | 9 February 2027 | 8 June 2027 |
From each disbursement (after it has been exchanged into £ GBP) we will deduct an amount towards tuition and any other charges incurred, and the remainder will be forwarded to you. You will need to open a UK bank account to avoid having to pay two foreign exchange charges. Find out more about opening a UK bank account here.
You will receive an email notification approximately 14 days prior to each disbursement, in line with Federal regulations concerning your right to cancel. Once the disbursement has been made and we have deducted your fees, you will receive a confirmation of any refund that will be deposited into your bank account along with a receipt. This communication will be sent via our finance team.
Please note that it can take up to 14 days after the disbursement date for you to receive your refund. For example, for a disbursement date of 6 October any refund will be paid to you by 20 October.
We work with a Foreign Exchange Provider to secure a competitive exchange rate for each disbursement linked to the market rate at the time. Therefore each disbursement will be for a different amount in £ GBP.
Applying for Federal Aid
Students applying for federal aid must:
- Complete the free appliction for Federal Student Aid (FSA)
- Submit all required documentation
- Complete any required federal loan counselling
- Complete the required Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Satisfy any additional federal loan requirements
Detailed application guidance is available on the Application Process page.
Deposit payment
If you are a student in need of a Tier 4 student visa you may be required to pay a deposit prior to the disbursement of your loan in order to secure a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS), which is needed to obtain your visa.
Deadlines
We will try to make the loan application process as easy as possible, but we will not be able to take shortcuts or fast-track any applications. The steps for applying for financial aid and the procedures outlined on this site are set out in accordance with US federal regulations. The LMU US Financial Aid Office will start processing FAFSA applications for September 2026 from 8 June to 18 August 2026 – we will deal with applications in the order we receive them.
You must have been offered a place on a course by London Met AND accepted that place before we will process your application for Federal Student Aid. We recommend that you submit your application to us no later than 1 August 2026 in order to enable us to process your application in time for you to apply for a visa.
If you are a continuing student we will process your FAFSA at a later time as we have to give priority to new applicants who are applying for a student visa for the first time.
Important notes
The definitive source of information for all matters relating to the direct loan programme is the US Department of Education and your loan servicer. The information on this website and the links to external sources are updated annually and every effort is made to ensure that they are revised periodically.
The direct loan program is regulated by US federal regulations that are enforced by the US Department of Education. London Met is responsible for the implementation of these regulations.
Pell grants are not available for students that study outside of the United States.
Eligible courses
Not all London Met courses are eligible for direct loans. The following are excluded:
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BA Product and Furniture Design
-
BA Product and Furniture Design (including foundation year)
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BSc Architectural Technology
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BSc Architectural Technology (including foundation year)
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BSc Building Surveying
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BSc Building Surveying (including foundation year)
-
BSc Construction Management
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BSc Construction Management (including foundation year)
-
BSc Physiotherapy
-
BSc Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management
-
BSc Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management (including foundation year)
-
BSc Real Estate
-
BSc Real Estate (including foundation year)
-
BSc Architectural Technology
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BSc Chemistry
-
BSc Construction Management
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BSc Nursing
-
BSc Nursing (Mental Health)
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BSc Pharmaceutical Science
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BSc Pharmaceutical Science (including foundation year)
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BSc Pharmacology
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BSc Pharmacology (including foundation year)
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BSc Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management
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BSc Real Estate
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BSc Social Work
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MA Education (Early Childhood Studies)
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MA Marketing Extended Master's
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MA Public Art and Performative Practices
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MBA Executive Master of Business Administration
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MSc Artificial Intelligence
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MSc Computer Networking and Cyber Security
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MSc Computer Networking and Cyber Security with Work Experience
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MSc Construction Project Management
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MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy
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MSc Cryptography
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MSc Cyber Security
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MSc Data Analytics
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MSc Quantity Surveying
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MSc Social Work
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MSc Sports Therapy
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MSc Youth Work (with JNC Recognition)
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MSc Health and Social Care Leadership and Management
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MSc Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery Systems
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MSc Project Management
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MSc Real Estate
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MSc Youth and Community Work (Advanced Practice)
-
MSci Pharmaceutical Science
-
MSci Pharmaceutical Science (4 Year variant)
-
PGCE courses
-
Prof Doctorate: Crime, Policy and Security
In addition:
- any course that does not lead to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree award e.g. certificate and diploma programmes
- any course that is not taught on a registered London Met campus by London Met staff
- some courses with professional designations
- any course with an element of study or research based in the United States or any other location oustide of the UK
- distance learning courses
- any course of study that includes a work placement, work experience or an internship carried out at a location that is not eligible to award federal aid in its own right
- study abroad programmes (students should apply for federal loans through their home university)
Further information
Additional guidance is available on the following pages:
- loan amounts and types
- application process
- continuing students
Students are encouraged to seek independent financial advice before accepting federal student loans.
At a glance
| Maximum value: | Varies according to student status |
| Open to: | Citizens of the US on eligible courses at London Met |
| Studying at level: |
Undergraduate |
| The information on this page applies to students starting courses in these academic years (as indicated): |
2026-27 |