Ektaylor

My financial aid summary displays two loans, the first, "FED.DIR.LOAN-UNSUB1" and the second "FED.PARENT LOAN PLUS1." The latter offering ~3 times that of the former.

My question is in regard to the notation they used in the second loan; I am assuming "FED.PARENT" means the loan is restricted to use by one's parents? While the other, smaller, loan is able to be used by the student? My EFC is relatively high, but I am stuck with at least half of the bill, would it be possible for me, a student, to use "FED.PARENT LOAN PLUS1?"

undecided

The second loan is PLUS. You can look up details, but essentially Cal is telling you that your parents (and it MUST be your parents) may take out the amount they showed as part of your financial aid package (you can actually take up to the entire COA with that loan).

They do that a lot with students with high EFC. You might be able to negotiate that down, but if your Demonstrated Need (as according to the calculation they show on your page) is met with your other loans and grants the chances of that are pretty slim.

The "Dir Loan Unsub" is an unsubsidized loan in your name, payments deferred (but not interest) until 6 months after you stop attending school full time. The "Parent Loan PLUS1" is an unsubsidized loan with immediate payback terms in your parents' name.

Ektaylor

Is the "Dir Loan Unsub" a Stafford loan, or something different? If it is not, will I be able to apply for a Stafford loan -- from my own research, the Stafford is only available through the University of California, but it was nowhere listed on my FinAid summary.