Tuition/Cash Loans (Institutional)

Types of Loans

For information concerning eligibility for cash and tuition loans and other loan programs, contact The Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS). OSFS processes loan applications and has counselors available to advise you on your best options.

International students need to contact the International Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is my cash loan due?

   An emergency cash loan is always due one month from the day you sign the promissory note.

2. When is my tuition loan due?

   Your tuition loan will be due anywhere from 30-90 days from the day you signed your promissory note. The due date is stated on the promissory note. The loan period will be shorter if it is close to the end of the semester. If you receive Financial Aid, the proceeds will be used to pay your loan off, and the net amount will be disbursed to you.

3. Can I make partial payments on my loan?

   Partial payments for tuition loans by eCheck, EFT or credit card may be made on the Tuition Loan website up until your due date.  Partial payments for cash loans may be made on the What I Owe website.  You may also make payments for tuition or cash loans by check or cash at the Cashier’s Office.

4. Can I set up a payment plan?

   Payment plans are not available for Institutional loans. The entire balance must be paid by due date.

5. What will happen if I do not pay off my Institutional loan by the due date?

   You will have a financial bar on your records until the loan is paid. You cannot get an official transcript, you will not receive your grades, you cannot pre-register for the next semester, and if you are graduating, you will not receive your diploma. In addition, as stated in the promissory note, if unpaid your loan will be turned over to an attorney or collection agency resulting in additional charges up to 33 1/3% of the outstanding balance of the loan. When the loan is paid, the bar will be removed immediately.  Tuition loans are reported to the credit bureaus from the date they are made.  Not paying these on time will result in negative information on your credit report.

6. When will I be turned over to a collection agency?

   Three months after the due date. If you have any questions, please call us at (512) 475-7779 option 2 or email us at tuitioncashloan@austin.utexas.edu.

7. Why didn't my financial aid pay off my Institutional loan?

   Under normal circumstances, your financial aid funds will pay off your tuition loan or an emergency cash loan. The most common reason why your financial aid does not pay your tuition loan is because your loan may be for a prior semester. Federal rules forbid Financial Aid funds from paying prior year debt. There are other exceptions. If you are in this situation, you will need to contact the Office of Student Financial Services. If your financial aid did not pay off the entire loan balance, you are responsible for paying the remaining balance, as outlined in your promissory note.

8. How can I get a tuition loan? Is there a minimum number of hours required?

   Apply online at the Tuition Loans website.  

   Tuition loans are available on the web.  If you are not able to use the web, go to the Office of Student Financial Services. International Students should go to the International Office. Texas Residents and out-of-state students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 semester hours, and International Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 semester hours to qualify for a tuition loan. As of the Fall 2002 semester, new guidelines were imposed on tuition loans for international students. Please contact the International Office for details.

9. If I have already processed a tuition loan, then I add a class, can I get another tuition loan to pay the add bill?

   Yes. Additional loans are available to pay your add fee bills.