{"id":13,"date":"2014-06-05T12:42:04","date_gmt":"2014-06-05T12:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/financialaid\/?page_id=13"},"modified":"2026-03-25T17:06:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:06:04","slug":"mat-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/osfa\/how-to-apply\/mat-students\/","title":{"rendered":"For MAT Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

All Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) students are charged a single tuition rate. Institutional grants or scholarships are not available for graduate students. Federal loan programs are available and a student may borrow for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.<\/p>\n

Graduate students are considered independent students and they do NOT include parental information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).<\/p>\n

Financing the MAT Program through Loans<\/h2>\n

Students in the MAT program are eligible for three different types of loans, two of which are borrowed through the federal government while the other is lent through a private company of your choice. These loan programs are the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Graduate Plus Loan, and\/or Private Alternative Loans. Below is a side by side comparison of the three types of loans. **Interest rates and fees are for the 2023-24 academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nDirect Unsubsidized Loan<\/strong><\/th>\nDirect Graduate Plus Loan<\/strong><\/th>\nPrivate Alternative Loans<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/thead>\n
Interest Rate<\/strong><\/td>\nFixed 7.05%<\/td>\nFixed 8.05%<\/td>\nFixed or variable depending on the lender<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Origination Fee<\/strong><\/td>\n1.057%<\/td>\n4.228%<\/td>\nDepending on lender<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repayment Options<\/strong><\/td>\nEligible for federal repayment plans<\/td>\nEligible for federal repayment plans<\/td>\nDictated by your lender<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum Amount<\/strong><\/td>\n$20,500<\/td>\nUp to cost of attendance<\/td>\nUp to cost of attendance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Application Process<\/strong><\/td>\nFile a FAFSA<\/a><\/td>\nComplete application at\u00a0https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/<\/a><\/td>\nApply through the website of the lender of your choice
\nThese may require a co-signer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In general due to ease of application, the softness of credit check, and the quality of terms and conditions on the loan, we recommend pursuing these options in the following order: Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Direct Graduate Plus Loan, and Private Alternative Loans. If you would like to discuss your individual needs and options, please contact our office to set up an appointment.<\/p>\n

Additional Forms for Graduate Students<\/h3>\n