Regarding Institutional Loan Options
Student loans are an important resource to help students pay for college. Institutional loans typically offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans.
Unlike grants or work-study, a loan is money that must be repaid – you are legally obligated to repay your loans (even if you do not complete your program), so we encourage you to fully read and understand the terms and conditions of each loan type before accepting a loan.
An important note regarding student loan funding:
At Colorado State University, we encourage you to make informed decisions when taking out a student loan, and to only borrow the amount of funds needed to successfully complete your education.
CSU RAM Loan
This funding is typically fully allocated by mid-spring for the upcoming academic year – meaning, RAMloan funding is limited and may not be available to be offered if all available funding has been offered out to students. As of June 2025, the CSU RAMloan has been fully allocated; however, additional RAMloan funds may become available during the Fall 2025 semester.
What is the CSU RAM Loan?
Loans made through the RAM Loan Program are low-interest student loans for undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate sufficient financial need. CSU is both the lender and loan servicer.
Eligibility
- Be enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours undergraduate/ 5 credit hours graduate or professional)
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria
- Have demonstrated financial need via FAFSA or CASFA
- Be admitted to an undergraduate or graduate degree program
- Complete one-time RAM Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling (lasts up to 10 years)
- Complete a yearly questionnaire
- Not be in default on any Federal loans
- Students must be enrolled at least half time (Undergraduates, 6+ credits; Graduates, 5+ credits) to be eligible for RAM Loan funding.
RAM Loan Offers
RAM Loans are available to students based on specific eligibility criteria. Third and fourth-year students are automatically offered RAM Loan funding if they meet those necessary requirements.
In contrast, first and second-year students must request funding, and have their accounts reviewed to determine eligibility.
The availability of RAM Loan funding will depend on both the amount of funds available and the student’s demonstrated financial need.
Loan Terms
- It does not accrue interest while you are enrolled.
- Repayment will not begin until 6 months after you graduate, drop below half-time enrollment status, or leave CSU.
- There are no origination fees.
- The interest rate will be a minimum of 5% fixed, but will increase to match the Federal Direct Loan interest rate if it exceeds 5%.
- Colorado State University is your lender for this loan; once your loan enters repayment you will make payments back to CSU.
- Funding is limited so the actual amount may vary from year to year. Awards will not exceed $5,000.
Accepting RAM Loan Funding
- Once RAM Loan funding has been offered to you, you can accept your loan(s) on RAMweb.
- Watch the short video tutorial below to learn about the steps required to accept student lans – including the CSU RAM Loan – on your student RAMweb account.
- Note that after you accept the RAM Loan offer, you will need to complete the Disclosure Agreement as well as a questionnaire regarding references for that loan.
- The references are not co-signers, and are not responsible for the repayment of any RAM Loan funding. They are for contact purposes only.
- When completing the RAM Loan Questionnaire, please be sure to input three different references, each of whom must have three different and separate addresses/ contact details.
Repayment
- Minimum payment amount of $40 per month once you enter repayment.
- Maximum repayment schedule of up to 10 years.
- For information on forbearance for financial hardships, military deferment or death cancellation please contact Accounts Receivable Operations.
Loan Cancellation
You may cancel all or a portion of your loan by submitting a borrower loan cancellation form. The request must be submitted before the loan has paid to your student’s CSU account, or within 14 days from the date of disbursement.
Cancellation or reduction to your loan may result in a balance being owed to the University. Failure to pay a balance owed by the due date could result in late fees and/or prevent future enrollment.
If you would like to cancel or reduce a loan that hasn’t paid out yet, navigate to your financial aid awards page and click on the “request changes to your student loans” option. From there you can submit a cancellation request and specify the amount of loan you’d like to cancel.
If the loan has already paid out, you may cancel all or a portion of your loan by submitting a borrower loan cancellation form. The request must be submitted within 14 days from the date of disbursement.
Please follow the following link to submit the Borrower Loan Cancellation Form.
CSU Short Term Loans
What is a CSU Short Term Loan?
A short term is available to students who have no balance owed to CSU and are in good academic standing. These loans are designed to meet the current term needs of a student.
If you believe you may need a short-term loan from CSU, please contact The Hub.
Eligibility and Terms
- Short term loans are available each semester that a student is enrolled, beginning the third week of the semester through the week prior to final exams.
- This loan is interest free, however you must repay the full amount borrowed by first payment due date of the next semester to avoid late fees
- For example, if you borrow during the Fall semester, your loan will be due in January.
- Students must be enrolled at least half time (Undergraduates, 6+ credits; Graduates, 5+ credits) to be eligible for RAM Loan funding.
Failure to Pay/ Default Terms
- If you fail to pay or default on your short-term loan:
- Late fees will be charged to your student account in accordance with Student Accounts policy.
- Late payment may make you ineligible for a short-term loan in the following semester.
- If the balance is not paid in full by the end of the add/drop enrollment period of the following semester (Census Date):
- You become ineligible for a future short-term loan.
- Your loan could be assigned to a collection agency.
- Late fees will be charged to your student account in accordance with Student Accounts policy.
- If you are having trouble making your payment, contact Business and Financial Services.
Loan Cancellation
You may cancel all or a portion of your loan by submitting a borrower loan cancellation form. The request must be submitted before the loan has paid to your student’s CSU account, or within 14 days from the date of disbursement.
Cancellation or reduction to your loan may result in a balance being owed to the University. Failure to pay a balance owed by the due date could result in late fees and/or prevent future enrollment.
If you would like to cancel or reduce a loan that hasn’t paid out yet, navigate to your financial aid awards page and click on the “request changes to your student loans” option. From there you can submit a cancellation request and specify the amount of loan you’d like to cancel.
If the loan has already paid out, you may cancel all or a portion of your loan by submitting a borrower loan cancellation form. The request must be submitted within 14 days from the date of disbursement.
Please follow the following link to submit the Borrower Loan Cancellation Form.
