Schools participating in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program, also known as US federal student loans, must provide consumer information to current and prospective students.
Institutional and Financial Assistance Information for Students
General requirement
Visit the US Federal and Private Student Loans for comprehensive information regarding US federal and private loans, terms and conditions, loan limits and Cost of Attendance.
For institutional student financial assistance and scholarships available through UAL, visit the Student Fees and Funding.
UAL does not provide Pell Grant or any other federal need-based grants.
Application process
On the How to Apply for Federal Student Loans , we have outlined the steps you must complete to apply for federal student loans.
To find out if you qualify for federal funding, visit the US Federal Student Loans to view the eligibility criteria.
Award amount determination
The US Federal Student Loans explains how UAL calculates your financial aid amount and the frequency and disbursement methods.
US Department of Education materials
UAL provides the latest updates from the US Department of Education. For recent news and announcements, please visit the US Department of Education website.
Student eligibility requirements
Basic eligibility requirements:
- be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen
- have a valid Social Security number (except for students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
- be enrolled or accepted for enrolment as a regular student in an eligible degree or non-degree Program. Most of the courses offered at UAL are eligible for federal student loans. However, there are some exceptions; please check UAL’s ineligible course list.
- provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly into your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form
- sign the certification statement on the FAFSA form stating that you’re not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you’ll only use federal student aid for educational purposes.
- show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or a state-recognised equivalent or completing a high school education in a homeschooled setting approved under the state law
- registration status with Selective Service no longer affects your eligibility to receive federal student aid
- demonstrate financial need for need-based federal student aid programs; UAL does not provide Pell Grant or any other federal need-based grants. Direct subsidised loan is a need-based financial aid available to eligible students
- maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please refer to UAL’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (PDF 65KB) policy.
How to stay eligible:
Continue to meet the basic eligibility criteria listed above. Remember, the basic eligibility criteria allow you to get federal student loans and continue to apply throughout the time you’re receiving aid - not just when you first fill out the FAFSA form.
You need to make satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving federal student aid. In other words, you must make good enough grades and complete enough classes (credits, hours, etc.) to keep moving toward completing your degree or certificate in a period outlined by your course program. Please refer to UAL's Satisfactory Academic Progress (PDF 65KB) policy.
Student rights and responsibilities
As a student at UAL, you must know and understand UAL student rights and responsibilities. As a US federal student loans recipient, you must know your rights and responsibilities to make informed financial decisions.
Students must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (PDF 65KB) to continue receiving loans throughout the year and each successive year.
Entrance and exit counselling
As per 34 CFR 685.304, UAL students receiving federal student loans must complete Entrance and Exit Counselling.
- If you are a first-time borrower, you must complete the US Loan Entrance Counselling before receiving your first loan instalment.
- You must complete the Exit Counselling once you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrolment.
Institutional Information
Academic information
UAL provides a diverse range of academic programs, all detailed on the UAL course pages. Each course page offers a comprehensive course overview, including its entry requirements, fees, and funding information. Additionally, you can find information on the faculty and instructional staff, as well as examples of student work. Our colleges and institutes pages provide an overview of each college, including the facilities dedicated to instruction.
School Cost
UAL publishes the program tuition fees on the individual course pages.
COA is an estimate of your educational expenses for the period of enrolment at UAL. It is based on the average expenses for students with the same enrolment status rather than your actual expenses. The COA includes:
- tuition fees
- allowances for books, course materials, supplies, and equipment
- housing and food allowance (or living expenses)
- transportation (including airfares)
- loan fees (excluding any loan fees for non-federal student loans)
- miscellaneous personal expenses (including a reasonable amount for a personal computer)
- allowance for childcare or other dependent care
- costs related to a disability
- visa and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) expenses
- costs of obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential.
Disability-related services and facilities
UAL provides confidential health and mental health advice and disability and dyslexia support. The information is available on dedicated Counselling, Health Advice and Chaplaincy and Disability and Dyslexia pages.
Refund policy
If you decide to leave school, pause your studies, or reduce your enrolment to less than half-time and have used US federal financial aid to finance your education, UAL will calculate the portion of federal funds you have earned up to the date of your suspension or withdrawal. Any unearned funds will be returned to the US Department of Education following the UAL Return of Title IV (R2T4) funds policy (see below).
After your US federal financial aid has been returned to the US Department of Education, you still may have outstanding fees to pay in line with UAL's Student Fees Policy.
Return of funds requirements
UAL Return of the Title IV (R2T4) funds policy outlines how UAL will administer your US federal aid funds if you take time out or withdraw from your course.
Study Abroad information
If you participate in a study abroad UAL that has been approved for credit by your home institution, you will be deemed as enrolled at your home institution when applying for federal student loans. Please contact the financial aid office at your home institution.
Withdrawal procedures
The withdrawal procedures are outlined in the UAL Attendance Policy
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) – US students only
At enrolment, you will be directed to the Student Privacy Policy, which lists the lawful bases for processing and sharing your data, and you will be asked to give your consent. You will also be directed to the Privacy Information page, which sets out how UAL uses and protects any personal information you give us when you use this website. UAL is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected.
Safeguarding Customer Information
- To learn how UAL collects or creates personal data relating to students, staff, prospective students or staff, enquirers, contractors, alumni, donors and contacts in other organisations or companies, visit General Data Processing Information.
- Find the latest advice and policies that help keep us safe online on the Information Security page.
- The Privacy Information page sets out how UAL uses and protects any personal information you share when you use the UAL website. UAL is committed to protecting your privacy.
- UAL’s Information Security Policy aims to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all institutional information assets. This policy applies to all users of UAL's information systems, regardless of their employment or contractual status. Key goals include compliance with international standards and regulations such as ISO/IEC 27001 and GDPR, establishing controls to protect against information theft and loss, and ensuring external partners adhere to UAL's security requirements. The policy outlines roles and responsibilities, including the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO), and Data Protection Officer (DPO), who oversee the implementation and compliance of the security measures. The framework supports continuous risk assessment and management, ensuring that changes in the business environment or external threats are addressed promptly. Policy violations can lead to severe consequences, including termination of employment or contracts.
Information governance, records management and data protection:
- UAL manages the information it receives and produces during its activity. Records Management and Information Governance at UAL are overseen by the Information Governance team and a network of Local Information Managers (LIMs) throughout UAL, each reporting to an Information Asset Owner (IAO). The Data Protection Officer (DPO) has a statutory role that must be consulted about managing personal data. The ultimate decision maker concerning personal data risk is the Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO).
- The UAL Data Protection Policy outlines the responsibilities and processes for handling personal data in compliance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. It applies to all staff, students, and third parties processing data on behalf of the University. The policy ensures that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, strictly adhering to data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, and security principles. It mandates completing data protection training, proper incident reporting, and using privacy notices. The policy also outlines data subject rights, including access, rectification, and erasure, and requires safeguards for data transfers outside the UK. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary actions.
Loan Disclosures
Exit Counseling
You must complete the Exit Counselling once you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrolment.
If a student drops out without notification, UAL will email the exit counselling materials provided by the U.S. Department of Education and a link to complete the exit counselling to the email address held on the university's students' records within 30 days.
Providing borrower information at separation
UAL does not collect personal information for exit counselling purposes. The students who graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrolment are directed to the US Department of Education website to complete the Exit Counselling and are emailed the exit counselling information provided by the US Department of Education.
Private education loans
You can find information about private education loans on the dedicated Private Student Loans page. Before borrowing through a private loan provider, please consider borrowing through the federal student loans program. To compare your options, please refer to federal and private loan comparison information provided by the US Department of Education.
School as a private lender
UAL does not provide private education loans to current or prospective students.
Preferred lender list
- UAL does not operate under the preferred lender list arrangement or endorse any particular lender(s).
- The prospective student and parent borrowers should be aware that most private lenders in the US do not offer loans to students studying outside the US.
- The university may provide the information to student and parent borrowers of the private lender(s) that provide educational loans to US citizens studying outside the US.
- Prospective borrowers are required to check their eligibility directly with their lender before making any financial decision.
- The University will make a reasonable effort to work with the private lender of the borrower's choice, provided they are lending to students studying outside the US.
Code of conduct concerning loans
To avoid conflicts of interest, University staff responsible for federal and private education loans from the US are prohibited from:
- revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender
- receiving gifts from a lender, guarantor, or loan servicer
- contracting arrangements providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender
- directing borrowers to lenders or refusing or delaying loan certifications
- offers of funds for private loans
- call centre or financial aid office staffing assistance
- advisory board compensation.
Contact us
Student Funding Service
University of the Arts London