Domestic Students

1. Complete the most recent FAFSA online as soon as you file your tax return. This application is used to determine federal financial aid eligibility for the following fall and spring semesters. Please review the federal loans section for detailed information.
2. If you are applying for a private loan, please submit an application directly to the private lender of your choice. You may apply for a semester-only loan or a fall/spring loan combined. For a sample list of lenders, please visit the private loans page.
3. Receive a financial aid award notice to your Stern e-mail account about one month prior to your fall payment deadline, July 7th.
4. Accept your fall/spring federal loans on Albert. This is the university-wide system which provides a comprehensive view of your financial aid. In addition to federal loans, Albert will also display any private loans for which you have applied and been approved, and any scholarships you may have received.
5. Sign in at studentloans.gov to secure your loans. You must complete the: 

• Master Promissory Note(s)
• Entrance Counseling Session

6. After accepting and securing your loans, please confirm approval with the Financial Aid Office.
7. Complete the "Tuition and Fees Worksheet" by your established payment deadline, July 7th. This form is located on the Stern Bursar’s website. However, for newly admitted students, the form will be made available on the Admitted Student website in early summer. Be sure to list only APPROVED loan amounts on the worksheet. 
8. The lender sends the fall loan disbursement to the Bursar ten days prior to the start of the semester. As long as your loans are approved by the deadline and you have submitted a payment worksheet, the bursar will credit the amount to your account.
9. If you have loans in excess of your tuition and fees charges, you will be cut a refund check for the excess amount. We encourage you to use the direct deposit option for your loan refund. However, due to the high volume of disbursements at the start of each semester, you should not count on your refund for the first month of classes. Please budget accordingly.
10. Prepare for the spring semester by completing the Spring “Tuition and Fees Worksheet” for the Office of the  Bursar. 

International Students

1. Apply for a semester-only private loan or a fall/spring loan combined about one month prior to your payment deadline, July 7th. For a list of international student loan opportunities, please visit the private loans section.
2. Complete the "Tuition and Fees Worksheet" by your established payment deadline, July 7th. This form is located on the Stern Bursar’s website. However, for newly admitted students, the form will be made available on the Admitted Student website in early summer. Be sure to list only APPROVED loan amounts on the worksheet. 
3. If you have confirmed approval of your loans with the Financial Aid Office, you may include the loan amounts on the payment worksheet. All approved loans will be credited directly to your Stern Bursar bill, and you will not need to pay this amount out of pocket
4. The lender sends the fall loan disbursement to the Bursar prior to the start of the semester.
5. The disbursement of your loans will occur after your payment deadline.  However, as long as your loans are approved by the deadline and you have submitted a payment worksheet, the bursar will credit the amount to your account.
6. The Bursar will refund you any loan credit beyond tuition and fees. We encourage you to use the direct deposit option for your loan refund. For direct deposit, a U.S. bank account is needed. Please feel free to explore information from the New York University Federal Credit Union if interested in setting up a U.S. bank account. If you do not have direct deposit, the refund check will be mailed to your current U.S. address.
7. Due to the high volume of disbursements at the start of each semester, you should not count on your refund for the first month of classes. Please budget accordingly.
8. Prepare for the spring semester by completing the Spring “Tuition and Fees Worksheet” for the Office of the  Bursar.