§ 1078-8. Unsubsidized Stafford loans for middle-income borrowers
(a)
In general
It is the purpose of this section to authorize insured loans under this part for borrowers who do not qualify for Federal interest subsidy payments under section
1078 of this title. Except as provided in this section, all terms and conditions for Federal Stafford loans established under section
1078 of this title shall apply to loans made pursuant to this section.
(b)
Eligible borrowers
Any student meeting the requirements for student eligibility under section
1091 of this title (including graduate and professional students as defined in regulations promulgated by the Secretary) shall be entitled to borrow an unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan if the eligible institution at which the student has been accepted for enrollment, or at which the student is in attendance, has—
(1)
determined and documented the student’s need for the loan based on the student’s estimated cost of attendance (as determined under section
1087ll of this title) and the student’s estimated financial assistance, including a loan which qualifies for interest subsidy payments under section
1078 of this title; and
(2)
provided the lender a statement—
(A)
certifying the eligibility of the student to receive a loan under this section and the amount of the loan for which such student is eligible, in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; and
(B)
setting forth a schedule for disbursement of the proceeds of the loan in installments, consistent with the requirements of section
1078–7 of this title.
(c)
Determination of amount of loan
The determination of the amount of a loan by an eligible institution under subsection (b) of this section shall be calculated by subtracting from the estimated cost of attendance at the eligible institution any estimated financial assistance reasonably available to such student. An eligible institution may not, in carrying out the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, provide a statement which certifies the eligibility of any student to receive any loan under this section in excess of the amount calculated under the preceding sentence.
(d)
Loan limits
(1)
In general
Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the annual and aggregate limits for loans under this section shall be the same as those established under section
1078
(b)(1) of this title, less any amount received by such student pursuant to the subsidized loan program established under section
1078 of this title.
(2)
Limits for graduate, professional, and independent postbaccalaureate students
(A)
Annual limits
The maximum annual amount of loans under this section a graduate or professional student, or a student described in clause (ii), may borrow in any academic year (as defined in section
1088
(a)(2) of this title) or its equivalent shall be the amount determined under paragraph (1), plus—
(i)
in the case of such a student who is a graduate or professional student attending an eligible institution, $12,000; and
(ii)
notwithstanding paragraph (4), in the case of an independent student, or a dependent student whose parents are unable to borrow under section
1078–2 of this title or the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program, who has obtained a baccalaureate degree and who is enrolled in coursework specified in paragraph (3)(B) or (4)(B) of section
1091
(b) of this title—
(II)
$7,000 for coursework necessary for a professional credential or certification from a State required for employment as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school,
except in cases where the Secretary determines that a higher amount is warranted in order to carry out the purpose of this part with respect to students engaged in specialized training requiring exceptionally high costs of education, but the annual insurable limit per student shall not be deemed to be exceeded by a line of credit under which actual payments by the lender to the borrower will not be made in any years in excess of the annual limit.
(B)
Aggregate limit
The maximum aggregate amount of loans under this section a student described in subparagraph (A) may borrow shall be the amount described in paragraph (1), adjusted to reflect the increased annual limits described in subparagraph (A), as prescribed by the Secretary by regulation.
(3)
Limits for undergraduate dependent students
(A)
Annual limits
The maximum annual amount of loans under this section an undergraduate dependent student (except an undergraduate dependent student whose parents are unable to borrow under section
1078–2 of this title or the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program) may borrow in any academic year (as defined in section
1088
(a)(2) of this title) or its equivalent shall be the sum of the amount determined under paragraph (1), plus $2,000.
(4)
Limits for undergraduate independent students
(A)
Annual limits
The maximum annual amount of loans under this section an undergraduate independent student, or an undergraduate dependent student whose parents are unable to borrow under section
1078–2 of this title or the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program, may borrow in any academic year (as defined in section
1088
(a)(2) of this title) or its equivalent shall be the sum of the amount determined under paragraph (1), plus—
(i)
in the case of such a student attending an eligible institution who has not completed such student’s first 2 years of undergraduate study—
(I)
$6,000, if such student is enrolled in a program whose length is at least one academic year in length; or
(II)
if such student is enrolled in a program of undergraduate education which is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in subclause (I) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year;
(ii)
in the case of such a student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed such first and second years but has not successfully completed the remainder of a program of undergraduate education—
(II)
if such student is enrolled in a program of undergraduate education, the remainder of which is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in subclause (I) as such remainder measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year; and
(e)
Payment of principal and interest
(1)
Commencement of repayment
Repayment of principal on loans made under this section shall begin at the beginning of the repayment period described in section
1078
(b)(7) of this title. Not less than 30 days prior to the anticipated commencement of such repayment period, the holder of such loan shall provide notice to the borrower that interest will accrue before repayment begins and of the borrower’s option to begin loan repayment at an earlier date.
(2)
Capitalization of interest
(A)
Interest on loans made under this section for which payments of principal are not required during the in-school and grace periods or for which payments are deferred under sections
1077
(a)(2)(C) and
1078
(b)(1)(M) of this title shall, if agreed upon by the borrower and the lender—
(4)
Applicable rates of interest
Interest on loans made pursuant to this section shall be at the applicable rate of interest provided in section
1077a of this title.
(5)
Amortization
The amount of the periodic payment and the repayment schedule for any loan made pursuant to this section shall be established by assuming an interest rate equal to the applicable rate of interest at the time the repayment of the principal amount of the loan commences. At the option of the lender, the note or other written evidence of the loan may require that—
(7)
Qualification for forbearance
A lender may grant the borrower of a loan under this section a forbearance for a period not to exceed 60 days if the lender reasonably determines that such a forbearance from collection activity is warranted following a borrower’s request for forbearance, deferment, or a change in repayment plan, or a request to consolidate loans in order to collect or process appropriate supporting documentation related to the request. During any such period, interest on the loan shall accrue but not be capitalized.
(g)
Single application form and loan repayment schedule
A guaranty agency shall use a single application form and a single repayment schedule for subsidized Federal Stafford loans made pursuant to section
1078 of this title and for unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans made pursuant to this section.
(h)
Insurance premium
Each State or nonprofit private institution or organization having an agreement with the Secretary under section
1078
(b)(1) of this title may charge a borrower under this section an insurance premium equal to not more than 1.0 percent of the principal amount of the loan, if such premium will not be used for incentive payments to lenders. Effective for loans for which the date of guarantee of principal is on or after July 1, 2006, in lieu of the insurance premium authorized under the preceding sentence, each State or nonprofit private institution or organization having an agreement with the Secretary under section
1078
(b)(1) of this title shall collect and deposit into the Federal Student Loan Reserve Fund under section
1072a of this title, a Federal default fee of an amount equal to 1.0 percent of the principal amount of the loan, which fee shall be collected either by deduction from the proceeds of the loan or by payment from other non-Federal sources. The Federal default fee shall not be used for incentive payments to lenders.