Take the time to read our guide Apply to FAFSA carefully before you start your application.

You can view and download resources from the office of Federal Student Aid.

The office of Federal Student Aid provides publications, online tools, and other resources to help you prepare and pay for college, applying for aid, and more. Below are samples of useful tools and link to “StudentAid” official website.

• Money Management: https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/money-management-checklist.pdf
• Financial Aid Process Video: https://studentaid.gov/resources#videos-and-images 
• Going to college in another country: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/international 
• Financial Aid for Graduate and Professional Degree: https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/graduate-professional-funding-info.pdf 
• For the full website data please see: https://studentaid.gov/resources 

Take the time to read our U.S. Federal Loans from RVC guide carefully before you start your application.

You will be able to submit your budget request (how much you want to borrow) using the Cost of Attendance Budget Tool. You can track the progress of your budget using the COA Budget Tool Tracker.

You can submit all the required documentation by uploading them using the online application process Apply for US Direct Loan, and will be able to track the progress of your application.

If you are a new student joining us in September and haven't been issued with a Rover login yet, please read When will I get access to Rover so I can apply?

Points to note before you apply for your loan

• Do not begin the application process for 2025/26 before 1^st May 2025, this is because some of your loan documents are only valid for 180 days, and we are not able to begin originating loans until mid-June.
• New students joining the college in September 2025 will receive their login details in June, provided they have received and accepted an unconditional offer and have paid their deposit.
• Continuing students will be given access to apply for US Loans as below. This is contingent on your exam results being processed in Rover by the Student Records team.

• Students with resits in September should apply as soon as resit results are processed by Student Records. We are not able to process the loan applications of continuing students with a re-sit in September until your result is published.
• We will prioritise the processing of applications for new students.
• Loan applications are typically completed by the student and processed (i.e. award confirmed) in three to four weeks.
• You can apply for additional loans, if you haven’t borrowed your maximum Cost of Attendance (COA), after your first disbursement.

All students must complete the steps listed in Apply to RVC.

Federal loan updates for 2026-27

2026 brings changes to the Federal loans.  Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025, which has brought back the student loan to where private loans are more important in meeting the financial needs of students.

RVC is continuing to track all these changes and plans to update this webpage as further clarification is provided from the US  Department of Education.

In the meantime:

What we Know:

These changes do not affect student borrowing for the current academic year (2025–2026): Students who have already borrowed federal loans for their current academic program may be considered a “continuing borrower”.   Therefore, students who have borrowed under the Federal Direct Loan Program before July 1, 2026, may continue to access loans under the expiring limits for up to three additional years, or for the remaining time needed to complete your current degree. This is calculated by the minimum length of your program, less the amount of time you have completed, whichever is sooner.

Graduate PLUS Loans will be phased out for new borrowers.

New graduate unsubsidized direct loan limits (effective July 1, 2026)

• Professional programs, note the Department of Education is still finalizing the definition of “Professional”
• Annual limit: Increased to $50,000
• Aggregate limit: Capped at $200,000 (includes loans borrowed as an undergraduate)
• Other graduate programs:            
• Annual limit: Remains $20,500              
• Aggregate limit: Capped at $100,000 (includes loans borrowed as an undergraduate)           
• Existing Unsubsidized loan borrowers can access unsubsidized loans under the current limits  until completing their current program or for three additional years, whichever is less.

What remains unclear:

What is considered a “professional” vs. “graduate” program?

Definitions and eligibility for higher borrowing caps available to students in “professional” programs are to be determined by the Department of Education (ED

However, the definition remains vague, with phrases like “not limited to” and “generally requires licensure.” In the months ahead, ED will need to confirm which programs qualify for the higher $50,000/year and $200,000/lifetime borrowing cap. Graduate PLUS loans for existing borrowers

It's uncertain if current students who remain eligible for Graduate PLUS loans after July 1, 2026, can choose to decline Graduate PLUS to access the new $50,000 unsubsidized loan cap.

It’s uncertain, but the current indication is that a student who borrows any Direct Loan or Graduate PLUS before July 1, 2026, will remain eligible to borrow a Graduate PLUS loan for the “three-year or until program completion” window so long as that student remains in the same program at the same school for which they borrowed the pre-July 1, 2026 loan.

We understand these changes may create uncertainty as you plan for future years. Here are steps you can take now:

1. Check your loan history: Log in to StudentAid.gov to view your current total loan balance.

2. Understand your status: Determine if you will likely qualify for the Legacy Provision. If you are currently enrolled and have borrowed federal loans, you generally will.

3. Plan for the gap: If you anticipate your costs will exceed the new federal limits (especially for new graduate students), begin researching private student loan options or preparing personal savings.

We are here to help you.

For additional resources published by Federal Student Aid (FSA), please visit: One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates (Federal Student Aid) ·        

Federal Student Loan Program Provisions Effective Upon Enactment Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (GEN-25-04)  

For up-to-date information please visit this webpage, but remember we are also awaiting details from the Department of Education and will update as soon as possible.

Please see link