Application Process
This page explains how to apply for US federal student aid at London Metropolitan University. Students should also review the main US Federal Student Aid page and the Loan Amounts and Types page before applying. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to avoid delays in loan processing.
Before you apply
Before submitting an application for federal aid, students should:
- confirm that their programme is eligible for federal aid
- review federal borrowing limits carefully
- review their previous federal borrowing history
- conside the total cost of studying in London
- ensure they understand their repayment obligations
Federal annual and aggregate borrowing limits may restrict the amount available regardless of the approved Cost of Attendance (COA). Students may therefore require additional personal funding during their studies.
Step 1 - Complete the FAFSA
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the relevant academic year. The FAFSA is completed online through the US Department of Education.
Students should ensure that:
- all information submitted is accurate
- London Metropolitan University is included on the FAFSA application
- all requested documentation is submitted properly
A new FAFSA application must be completed for each academic year.
Step 2 - Submit required documentation
Students may be required to submit supporting documentation to the University before federal aid can be processed.
Required documentation may include:
- proof of US citizenship or eligible non-citizen status
- copies of federal loan documenttion (FAFSA submission, MPN, entrance counselling, high school diploma, UG certificate/transcript)
- evidence of previous academic study
The University may request additional documentation during the assessment process.
Step 3 - Complete Federal Loan requirements
Depending on loan type and borrowing status, students may be required to complete:
- Entrance Counselling
- a Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Parent PLUS credit approval
- additional federal loan requirements
First time Borrowers
First-time federal loan borrowers are normally required to complete Entrance Counselling before loan funds can be disbursed
Entrance Counselling explains:
- borrowing responsibilities
- interest accrual
- repayment obligations
- deferemnt and defauly
- federal loan terms and conditions
Students must also complete the appropriate Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Parent PLUS borrowers
Parents applying for Parent PLUS Loans must:
- complete a separate Parent PLUS application
- complete the Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note
- satisfy federal credit approval requirements
Parent PLUS borrowing is subject to annual and aggregate federal borrowing limits.
Postgraduate students
Graduate PLUS Loans are generally unavailable to new postgraduate borrowers beginning study from 1 July 2026. Eligible postgraduate students may therefore only qualify for Direct Unsubsidized Loans subject to federal borrowing limits. Students progressing from undergraduate study to a new postgraduate programme after 1 July 2026 will generally be treated as new borrowers under federal regulations.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
London Metropolitan University calculates a Cost of Attendance (COA) for students receiving federal aid.
The COA may include:
- tuition fees
- accommodation
- living costs
- books and course materials
- local transport
- approved travek costs
- visa and immigration expenses
The COA is used for federal aid administration purposes only.
Federal borrowing limits may restrict the amount available regardless of the approved COA.
An example COA can be found below:
Please review the COA table below to see a general example of the COA for a UG and PG student studying at London Met. This will help you explore the funds that you will need to cover the costs of tuition and other related expenses according to your study level and the designated loan amounts. The COA is calculated according to expected costs for a US national studying in the UK.
These are not the exact amounts but are an average for 1st year UG and 1st year PG students. The university is required to issue a standard cost of attendance to all students on the same programme of study. However, each COA will be assessed on a case by case basis, any costs above the cost of attendance will be considered using professional judgement – alongside documentary evidence if required.
The exchange rate used is fixed every year for the creation of this budget, it does not reflect the rate that will be used when funds are received.
The budget covers NINE MONTHS for a UG student
| Allowable Costs | Amount in Sterling (£) | Amount in Dollars ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | £14,500 | $19,720 |
| Fees | £0 | $0 |
| Housing | £10,800 | $14,688 |
| Food | £2,728 | $3,710 |
| Miscellaneous, books and supplies | £4,461 | $6,067 |
| Average loan fees | £1,100 | $1,496 |
| Transportation | £3,468 | $4,716 |
| Total | £37,057 | $50,398 |
Example exchange rate used: 1.36
The budget covers TWELVE MONTHS PG student
| Allowable Costs | Amount in Sterling (£) | Amount in Dollars ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | £15,500 | $21,080 |
| Fees | £0 | $0 |
| Housing | £15,600 | $21,216 |
| Food | £3,673 | $4,995 |
| Miscellaneous, books and supplies | £5,096 | $6,931 |
| Average loan fees | £1,100 | $1,496 |
| Transportation | £4,238 | $5,764 |
| Total | £45,207 | $61,482 |
Example exchange rate used: 1.36
Notes about items above:
The COA is calculated in GBP and then converted to USD using an exchange rate based slightly above the average high for the previous twelve months. Room and Board cover food and housing for the period of study only. Miscellaneous covers other general costs associated with a student at the university including books/supplies, NHS fees and other money that the typical student needs to assist with their general living costs such as clothing and social activities. For first year students this includes the cost of a laptop, the cost of return flights for initial entry and exit to/from the UK and the visa cost. Loan fees are based on typical borrowing averages for US students. Transportation includes two round trip flights to your home country and transportation in the UK during the period of enrolment.
If you believe that your cost of attending will be higher due to reasonable additional costs (because of specialist equipment needed to support a disability, for example) please email us at usfinancialaid@londonmet.ac.uk, providing as much information as possible about these additional costs, these can be looked at on a case-by-case basis. If you believe that your cost of attendance should be lower, (due to staying with a relative and paying zero rent, for example) please email us at usfinancialaid@londonmet.ac.uk providing evidence to support this, these can be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
Loan assessment and approval
The University will review:
- FAFSA information
- programme eligibility
- borrowing eligibility
- previous federal borrowing history
- satisfactory academic progress requirements
- federal aggregate borrowing limits
Students may be contacted if additional information is required.
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.
Application deadlines
Students are strongly encouraged to complete all application requirements as early as possible, applications for September start students open on 8 June 2026 and close on 18 August 2026. January start students open on 19 October 2026 and close on 15 January 2027.
Late submission of documentation may delay:
- loan approval
- disbursement of funds
- tuition fee payment arrangements
Important information
Federal student loans are a form of borrowing and must be repaid.
Students are encouraged to:
- borrow responsibly
- review repayment obligations carefully
- consider exchange rate fluctuations and living costs in London
- seek independent financial advice before accepting federal loans
Further information
For information regarding:
- borrowing limits and loan types, please refer to the Loan Amounts and Types page
- continuing student applications and grandfathered arrangements, pleas refer to the Continuing Students page
- general eligiblility and federal policy updates, please refer to the maint US Federal Student Aid page