Using a US Federal Loan to study overseas is a fairly new development and it is possible that your UK university will have little experience with this process.  The information below aims to provide a guideline for US students in the UK.

1. Contact FAFSA to access a FAFSA form online.
   
   
2. Find the code for your UK institution or check to find out if it is eligible to receive US Federal Financial Aid loans.
   
   
3. Submit your FAFSA form online.  You can begin this process from January 1st prior to the start of your course.
   
   
4. Obtain your original Eight-Page Student Aid Report (SAR).
   
   Please note:
   
   -  Upon completion of the FAFSA, the Department of Education will send you a normal SAR receipt.  This short SAR is NOT enough.  You must obtain your ORIGINAL Eight-Page SAR.  If you do not list your email address when you submit your FAFSA application, the Eight-Page SAR will be mailed to you.
   
   -  Your UK university will NOT receive your information electronically.  In order for them to process your aid, you must obtain and send the original Eight-Page SAR.
   
   
5. Select a lender.  After you have receieved the original Eight-Page SAR, you must select a lender.  It is up to you to decide which lender you would like to use.  You should contact your UK university for recommended lenders.
   
   To help you with your search, IEFC and Sallie Mae currently work with US loans in the UK.  Gauranty Agencies provide information for students about loans, and offer some help in the administration of the loan process for students attending UK universities.
   
   Please note: that the British Council USA does not endorse any of the above companies.  They are put forth only as options.
   
   
6. Contact your selected lender for Stafford and/or PLUS Loan forms (Master Promissory Notes and any Loan Certification Forms.)
   
   
7. Send your Eight-Page SAR and completed loan forms to the UK institution where you have been accepted.
   
   
8. The UK institution will fill out your loan forms appropriately with details regarding tuition fees and dates of terms and then return the completed documents to you.
   
   
9. Send loan forms back to your lender so that your loan can take effect.  Many universities require that you complete Loan Entrance Counseling.  You should contact the person or office at your university responsible for US Federal Loans to find out if and how you should complete entrance counseling.  This is highly recommended for the borrower, whether or not it is required by your university.

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			As of July 1, 2006, US Federal Aid requires that all Stafford and PLUS loans be disbursed in multiple disbursements based on your program's terms or semesters.
			You can get a FAFSA or duplicate SAR loan form from the US Department of Education by calling 1 800 4 FEDAID (1 800 433 3243).
			For more detailed information about US Federal Loans, please read Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid, a guide to financial aid from the US Department of Education.  For further information on other types of financial aid offered by the US Department of Education, visit Federal Student Aid (FSA.)
			To research options on non-federal loans, browse through FinAid's information on private education loans.  Private loans are also available from IEFC and Sallie Mae.

Please note that the British Council USA does not provide help with the completion of FAFSA or Stafford Loan forms.  For more information US Federal Aid to study overseas, or for other Federal Aid questions, please contact the US Department of Education at 1 800 4 FEDAID (1 800 433 3243).