Can I take out loans eventhough I have funding?

[Kbk9]

I have an offer with full tuition and a TAship promised, but I was wondering if it was still possible to take out one of the federal graduate loans, the subsidized deferred one, in order to buy start up things like a new laptop and other costs from starting over in a new city. It would be very helpful rather than having to scrape by for a few months...

[see_bella]

Yes you can. I did it for my masters (not federal though) and I know of others who have done it.

[Kasavail]

Not subsidized ones. Graduate subsidized loans stop in July.

[kaguyahime]

Although policies are different at different schools, it is likely that you can take out loans in addition to your other aid, depending on the total amount of your aid package. You should be able to find this out through your school's financial aid office, take a look at their website or give them a call.

However, it seems that your question may be if you can get loans in advance (maybe over the Summer), to help you get there and get set up?

If so, the answer is probably no. It is very unlikely that any school will disburse funds to you sooner than a few weeks before the Fall semester starts.

[Hillary Emick]

Fill out the FAFSA and see. I am eligible for some subsidized, and more unsubsidized than I hope I have to take out.

[interestingmix]

Look at your schools total estimated cost of attendance and compare it to the aid you will be receiving. You should be able to get public loans to cover the difference in COA and aid.

[bluetubeodyssey]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed information so far. I am trying to find out if I'll be eligible for loans through my school on top of the funding my department offered. My department's funding offer more than covers the school's estimated cost of attendance, taking care of tuition, fees, and is about $1500 over the cost of living, books, transportation, etc. Does that mean I will not be able to take out any loans through my school's financial aid department?

Even though the stipend is over the school's cost of attendance, it's not that much for living in California, and I was hoping for a little extra money via loans just for my first year in school.

[juilletmercredi]

It depends on your school's policy and how they count your fellowship into your package. The only people who will know for sure is your school's financial aid office, so ask them.