# American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
**Source**: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans
Find out what federal student aid is available for US students, if you’re eligible and how to apply.
## Changes to federal student aid programmes
On 4 July 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law, resulting in changes to federal student aid programmes. Some of these changes went into effect immediately, while others will go into effect next year and beyond.
[Find out more](https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/big-updates).
## What financial aid is available for US citizens?
The University of Sussex participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. As a US citizen or eligible noncitizen you can apply for a Federal Direct Loan if you have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Sussex on an eligible programme. This includes undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
You may instead choose to take out a [private loan](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/private-education-loans) through a private education lender.
You will not be eligible for a PELL Grant or a Perkins Loan as these are not available to those studying outside of the United States.
### Applications for 2025/26
The Financial Aid Office will be accepting loan applications for the 2025/26 academic year from June. Please note that applications will be processed in strict order of receipt. Find out [how to apply](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/apply).
[##### About Federal Direct Loans](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/about)
[##### Eligibility](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/eligibility)
[##### How to apply](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/apply)
[##### Receiving your loan](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/your-loan)
[##### Repaying your loan](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/repayment)
[##### Consumer information](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/consumer-information)
[##### Private Education Loans](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/american-student-loans/private-education-loans)
## Contact
The Financial Aid Office are responsible for administering Federal Direct Loans at the University of Sussex. Get in touch by emailing: [usfinancialaid@sussex.ac.uk](mailto:usfinancialaid@sussex.ac.uk).
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## You may also be interested in:
- [Admissions information](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/admissions/)
- [University fees](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding)
- [Accommodation](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation)
- [Visas and immigration advice](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas/)