Aarhus University participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan). To apply for US Federal Direct Loans through the Direct Loan Program, you must be an American student enrolled in a degree-granting program at Aarhus University.
Aarhus University is not eligible to certify Direct Loans for medical, nursing or PhD students. If you are an American student intending to study any of these programs at Aarhus University, you will not be able to fund your studies with Federal Direct Loans.
Please consult Aarhus University's admission requirements for international students at the following websites:
To receive aid, including Federal Direct and PLUS Loans, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
You cannot receive US government loans if you attend any of the following:
The following Aarhus University programs are ineligible for US government loans:
If you do want to study in the non-eligible areas or programs, you may wish to consider private non-governmental loans available for U.S. citizens.
As a foreign school, Aarhus University is eligible to originate loan applications for Federal Direct Loans and PLUS loans.
Full information on these loans can be found at the Federal Student Aid webpage
A Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. The U.S. government pays interest on a subsidized loan while you are enrolled at university at least half-time and during deferment periods. Direct Subsidized loans for undergraduate students will have an interest rate of 5.50% (for loans disbursed after 1st July 2023).
A Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan is awarded regardless of need. The interest rate for Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans is fixed at 5.50% (for loans disbursed after 1st July 2023) for undergraduate borrowers and 7.05% (for loans disbursed after 1st July 2023) for graduate borrowers.
You are not required to pay the interest on this loan while at university but we recommend that you do. You will be charged interest starting at disbursement until it is paid in full. If the interest accumulates, it will be added to the principal amount of the loan and increase the amount to be repaid.
Fees: A fee of 1.057% will be deducted from the gross amount of the loan you borrow, so you may wish to take this into consideration when determining the amount you need to borrow.
Parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to help pay for educational expenses at the university.
Parents can borrow up to the total Estimated Cost of Attendance minus all other sources of financial aid their student receives.
PLUS loans are the financial responsibility of the parents and not the student.
A Parent PLUS loan borrower must meet the same citizenship and residency requirements as the student. The parent must not owe a refund on a Federal student financial aid grant or be in default on a Federal student loan.
A credit check is conducted when your parent begins the loan application process. Undergraduates whose parents do not qualify for a PLUS loan can borrow additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan funds.
The interest rate is fixed at 8.05% (for loans disbursed after 1st July 2023) and repayment begins within 60 days after your loan is fully disbursed and lasts ten years.
Fees: Origination fees for Direct Parent PLUS loans are set at 4.236% but this fee is changed to 4.228% for any loans originated with a first disbursement date on or after 1st October 2020.
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a Federal loan that graduate students with good credit histories may borrow to help pay their educational expenses.
A graduate student may borrow up to the total Cost of Attendance less all other financial aid received by the student.
They also must have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan Program before applying for a Graduate/Professional PLUS loan.
The interest rate is fixed at 8.05% (for loans disbursed after 1st July 2023) and repayment begins within 60 days after your loan is fully disbursed and lasts ten years.
Fees: Origination fees for Direct Parent PLUS loans are set at 4.228%.
Repayment begins on the date of the last disbursement of the loan and the first payment is due within 60 days after the date the loan is fully disbursed. A Graduate PLUS borrower may receive a deferment while he or she is enrolled on at least a half-time basis at an eligible school. Upon dropping to less than half-time enrollment status, the borrower is not entitled to a grace period on his or her PLUS loans.
The amount in Federal Direct Loan funds that you are eligible to borrow each academic year is limited by these factors:
You cannot borrow more than your financial need or the cost of attendance.
The following annual and aggregate loan limits apply to Federal Direct Loans:
| Dependent Student | Base Amount (Subsidized or Unsubsidized) | Additional Unsubsidized Loan | Total Annual Combined Maximum Amount of Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | $3,500 | $2,000 | $5,500 |
| Second-year undergraduate | $4,500 | $2,000 | $6,500 |
| Third-year and beyond undergraduate | $5,500 | $2,000 | $7,500 |
Independent Student (and Dependent Students Whose Parents are Denied a PLUS Loan) | Base Amount (Subsidized or Unsubsidized) | Additional Unsubsidized Loan | Total Annual Combined Maximum Amount of Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans |
|---|---|---|---|
First-year undergraduate | $3,500 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
Second-year undergraduate | $4,500 | $6,000 | $10,500 |
Third-year and beyond undergraduate | $5,500 | $7,000 | $12,500 |
Postgraduate student | Base Amount (Subsidized) | Additional Unsubsidized Loan | Total Annual Combined Maximum Amount of Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans |
|---|---|---|---|
Yearly Eligibility | n/a | $20,500 | $20,500 |
Subsidized only | Total Aggregate (Subsidized and Unsubsidized combined) | |
|---|---|---|
Dependent undergraduates | $23,000 | $31,000 |
Independent undergraduates | $23,000 | $57,500 |
Postgraduate students | $65,500 | $138,500 |
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web. This Federal student aid is made available through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program to help pay for educational expenses.
For undergraduate students,eligibility for Direct Subsidized or Direct Unsubsidized Loan, or a combination of both loans, is based on your financial need.
The information you report on your FAFSA is used to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is a calculated formula that allows the University to determine your financial need. To determine your financial need, your EFC is subtracted from your Cost of Attendance (COA) for need-based awards. The University will also deduct any other aid paid to you or on your behalf for educational expenses. This is referred to as Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA).
Each academic year, the university establishes standard student budgets that use cost of attendance (COA) estimates for awarding financial aid funds.
The budgets reflect typical student expenses and consist of two basic components:
While your costs may vary depending on where you stay, we expect your cost of attendance to be roughly in line with our estimates. If you believe that costs relating to your education are significantly higher than those estimated, you may contact International Office to review those costs.
Estimated cost of living: DKK 110,000 per academic year (DKK 11,000 per month for 10 months).
| Cost of living breakdown | DKK |
|---|---|
| Room | 53,000 |
| Board | 33,000 |
| Transportation | 11,000 |
| US Student Loan fees | 5,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 16,500 |
| Total per year | 118,500 |
Tuition fee: variable. Please click here.
1.Complete your FAFSA
The first step in applying for a US Federal Direct Loan is to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The Federal School Code for Aarhus University is G11226. To apply electronically, you must have an FSA ID. Start the application process.
As soon as you have submitted your FAFSA, please inform us about you application by emailing your full name to the International Office at Aarhus University.
2. Student Aid Report is generated
Once your FAFSA is completed and processed, it will generate a Student Aid Report (SAR). This is used by Aarhus University to determine your eligibility for a loan as stipulated by the U.S. Department of Education.
3. Award Letter is sent to you
After the University receives your SAR, you will receive an Award Letter approximately two months before the beginning of the semester. The letter details the amount of loans you may be eligible for based on such elements as your Cost of Attendance, your year of study, need and other financial assistance.
You will be required to sign and return an Award Acceptance Form before any loan disbursements can be made.
4. Complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Once you have accepted and returned your Award Letter, you can go on to complete the applicable Master Promissory Notes (MPN). The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loans and any accrued interest and fees to the US Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loans.
The MPN is a binding legal document that you must sign when you get a federal student loan. It lists the terms and conditions under which you agree to repay the loan and explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. It is important to read and save your MPN because you’ll need to refer to it later when you begin repaying your loan or at other times when you need information about provisions of the loan, such as deferments or forbearances.
5. Complete your Entrance Counseling
Except for parent Direct PLUS Loan borrowers, if you have not previously received a loan, you must complete entrance counseling before Aarhus University can make the first disbursement of your loan. This helps you to understand your responsibilities regarding your loan. You will be able to complete your entrance counseling online.
According to US regulations, Aarhus University is required to disburse your loan funds in multiple installments that coincide with scheduled semester start dates. If your loan period is based on enrollment for two semesters, you will receive two disbursements, one at the start of each semester (1 September for fall semester and 1 February for spring semester).
If you have not already paid your tuition fee at the time of disbursement, the tuition fee amount will be deducted from your loan amount, and any surplus will be forwarded to you.
Note: First year, first time borrowers must have their initial disbursements delayed until 30 days after the first date of their first semester.
Entrance Counseling
Before your loan application can be completed, you must complete Entrance Counseling. This ensures that you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities.
Exit Counseling
Before you withdraw, graduate, or drop below half-time attendance (regardless if you plan to transfer to another school), regulations require that you complete an exit counseling session for your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. The counseling session provides information about how to manage your student loans.
Aarhus University is required by US Federal Law (34CFR 668.16) to define and enforce standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for students who wish to access US financial aid. The guidelines have been established to encourage students to progress and successfully complete the academic program for which aid is received.
Students who receive US financial aid will be evaluated at the end of each semester. This evaluation process will consider your progress under the following criteria:
To receive US financial aid, you must meet minimum standards for both the above-mentioned components while simultaneously adhering to Aarhus University's academic progress rules and Danish Immigration legislation.
Students in receipt of Direct Loans must remain at all times in good academic standing and
maintain a GPA equivalent of at least 2.0. The Danish system grades on a 7-point grading scale. On the Danish scale, 02 is the minimum passing grade required.
The 7-point grading scale consists of five marks designating a passing level (12, 10, 7, 4 and 02), as well as two marks designating a non-passing level (00 and -3).
In tests and examinations that according to the rules on the individual study programs require documentation in the form of tests, examinations or leaving certificates, students are to be given an assessment according to the following grading scale (7-point grading scale):
12: For an excellent performance
10: For a very good performance
7: For a good performance
4: For a fair performance
02: For an adequate performance
00: For an inadequate performance
-3: For an unacceptable performance
The maximum timeframe for completion of a degree programme may not exceed 150% of the
published length of a programme. Periods when a student does not receive funds will be
included in the maximum timeframe.
Students must complete their course at a pace which ensures that they will graduate within
the maximum timeframe.
Standard Published Program Length | Program Length in Credits | Maximum Federal Timeframe for Completion | Pace |
3 year undergraduate degree | 180 | 4.5 years (270 credits) | 67% |
2 year graduate degree | 120 | 3.5 years (180 credits) | 67% |
Please note that while a student may maintain their eligibility for US Direct Loans, institutional academic progress rules and student visa restrictions may impact on your ability to continue within the program. Conversely, a student may lose eligibility for US Direct Loans, and still meet institution requirements for continued enrollment.
All periods of enrolment contribute when assessing progress, even periods when the student
did not receive federal loan funds. The table below provides examples of a change in
enrolment and its effect on SAP measurement.
Typically, all periods of enrolment contribute when assessing progress, even periods when the student did not receive federal loan funds, however there are some exceptions and special cases as listed below:
If a student did withdraw from a course, they must reapply to re-join the program. If the university did accept an application to re-join any prior credit would count against the applicable Maximum Time Frame. Likewise, the student would return at the same level of eligibility status regarding the Qualitative standards. For example, if they left on a Financial Aid Warning, they would return at the Warning level.
If a student did not complete a course, they would be discharged from the program after their 3rd examination attempt. If allowed to re-join, any prior credit would count against the applicable Maximum Time Frame. Likewise, the student would return at the same level of eligibility status regarding the Qualitative standards. For example, if they left on a Financial Aid Warning, they would return at the Warning level.
If a student were to change programs, that is possible after the first year of study. The work completed in the previous program would count towards their Maximum Time Frame and their grades would also be considered as continuing towards their Qualitative grade measurement.
All attempted credits and courses count towards the Maximum Time Frame, and grades will be calculated as part of Qualitative grade measurement.
Credits transferred in from another university will not count towards the Maximum Time Frame at Aarhus. The grades may be considered for the Qualitative measurement if the prior university’s grade system is equivalent to the Danish system. If the system is not equivalent, the grades will be considered as a “pass” level.
Prior to a loan disbursement of any Federal Financial Aid, SAP will be confirmed by the International Office in the student administration system which records the student’s academic progress, giving assurance that SAP is being maintained based on an assessment of student progress and achievement in line with qualitative and maximum timeframe measures.
These results will be obtained prior to the disbursement of loan monies at each semester in the academic year to determine whether students have formally met, or not, the semester pass mark and/or the progression requirements that will determine whether the pace of study remains within the specified parameters.
In instances where satisfactory academic progress has not been made, options for continuing their studies will be presented to students in writing.
For students on programs greater than two years in length, Aarhus University will confirm that the student has academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation at the end of their second academic year.
Students will also be notified in writing that they have been placed on Financial Aid Warning.
Financial Aid Warning
Where the satisfactory academic progress has not been met at the end of a semester, the student will be placed on 'Financial Aid Warning’ for the period of the next academic semester and will continue to be eligible to receive funding for that period only.
Maintaining eligibility for the federal loans requires that students on a Financial Aid Warning complete that period of their academic study at a level that would bring their overall standing in line with Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
The International Office will communicate the Financial Aid Warning in writing and inform
the student of the need to bring grades in line with the SAP requirements.
If satisfactory progress has not been achieved at the end of the Financial Aid Warning period,
a student's loan eligibility will be terminated. We do not have the right to waive the
satisfactory academic progress requirement for any student.
It is possible for students to receive more than one warning period during an academic year. However, students cannot be placed on a Financial Aid Warning period consecutively.
Appeals against a decision to suspend Financial Aid and Financial Probation
Financial Aid probation is the status assigned by the University to a student who fails to
make satisfactory academic progress and who has appealed and has eligibility for Aid
reinstated.
Appealing a Financial Aid Decision
Students who are given a Financial Aid Warning or who subsequently lose eligibility for
Federal Student Aid because they have failed to maintain SAP may appeal the SAP decision if
one or more of the following circumstances exist:
Within 10 days of receiving the Financial Aid Decision, students wishing to appeal must have submitted their appeal in writing to to the head of the Educational Development and Analysis Office detailing the reason(s) for failing to meet the SAP requirements and/or why there should be no suspension of aid.
All supporting documentation should be submitted with the appeal. This process is separate to any academic appeals process.
Grounds for the appeal may be:
The appeal will be considered by the head of the Educational Development and Analysis Office. The University will notify the student in writing of the outcome of the appeal decision. The appeal will be considered on its merits and a response to the appeal will be provided within 14 working days. Students who appeal the first appeal decision will be informed of the decision of the head of the Educational Development and Analysis Office in writing. A student may appeal again, but only if other circumstances are demonstrated and the appeal is approved by the appeals committee.
If the appeal is denied a student may regain eligibility if they continue to study and their minimum cumulative pass grade reaches the required levels. They will be notified in writing of their change in status within 14 working days after they complete the applicable payment period.
Appeals against a decision to suspend Financial Aid and Financial Probation
Financial Aid probation is the status assigned by the University to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress and who has appealed and has eligibility for Aid reinstated. This decision is final.
Where a student’s appeal has been upheld, the student retains their eligibility for funding for the subsequent term. However, during the study term the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation, for a period of no longer than one term, and must meet SAP requirements in order to remain eligible for financial aid.
Aarhus University has an institutional refund policy for international students attending this institution. The following is an addendum for students who are receiving US Title IV financial aid.
This policy specifies how Aarhus University will determine the amount of US Higher Education Act Title IV program assistance (Direct and PLUS Loans) that students earn if they withdraw from the University and the withdrawal process. At Aarhus University, the International Office is responsible for calculating Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) and the Accounts Department is responsible for the actual transfer of the resulting funds. The International Office uses worksheets and software provided by the US Department of Education to calculate the R2T4 funds. All funds will be returned to the US Department of Education within 45 days of the date of when the University determines that a student withdrew. If a student has queries regarding their Title IV program funds, they can call the US Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243). TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913. Information is also available on Student Aid on the Web at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
When a student withdraws during a payment period, the amount of Title IV program assistance that has been earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula.
The date of withdrawal is the earlier of the date the student notified the University of their intent to withdraw or the date the student reported their withdrawal in the student portal mit.au.dk or sent an email to indskriv@au.dk. If the student received (or the University received on the student’s behalf) less assistance than the amount that was earned, then the student may be able to receive those additional funds. If the student received more assistance than was earned, the excess funds must be returned by the University and/or the student.
Should the student fail to use the student portal mit.au.dk or send an email to indskriv@au.dk or if there is a lag between the notification and the completion of the form, then the earlier date of notification will be used in calculating the R2T4 formula.
In the event a student receives all failing grades for a semester, the International Office will consult with the appropriate department and, if necessary, other academic staff, to determine if the failed grades were earned or represent a lack of attendance. As the university does not take attendance, if it is determined that resulting grades are the result of lack of attendance, the International Office will attempt to determine the last day of attendance and this is the date that will be used in the R2T4 calculations. If the exact date cannot be determined, the student will be considered withdrawn at the midpoint of the applicable payment period.
Students who do not attend any classes are ineligible for Title IV funds, and all of the loan proceeds will be returned to the Department of Education.
The amount of assistance earned is determined on a pro rata basis. The payment period is the term for which the loan was certified, and the percentage attendance is calculated by dividing the number of days attended by the total number of days in the payment period.
For example, if the student completes 30% of the payment period or term of enrolment, the student has earned 30% of the assistance they were originally scheduled to receive. Once the student has completed more than 60% of the payment period or term of enrolment, 100% of the assistance that the student was scheduled to receive for that period is considered to have been earned.
In order to calculate the amount of unearned loan funds a student may have received, the percentage of the programme completed must be calculated as follows:
Number of calendar days completed = % completed
Number of calendar days in payment period
Please note: In calculating the number of days, scheduled breaks of more than 5 days should be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator in the above calculation.
If the student did not receive all of the funds that were earned, they may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement. The University will notify the student within 30 days of the date that it has been determined the student has withdrawn of the amount of a post-withdrawal disbursement for which the student is eligible. The student may choose to accept any loan funds or to decline some or all of them. Any post-withdrawal loan funds that are disbursed, like loan funds disbursed previously, will have to be repaid by the student. The International Office will use the R2T4 worksheets provided by the US Department of Education to determine how much of the loan may be retained and how much must be returned.
The University may automatically use all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement (including loan funds, if the student accepts them) for tuition, fees, and accommodation charges (to the extent they are contracted with the University). For all other charges, the University needs the student’s permission to use the post-withdrawal disbursement.
The student will be required to inform the University via email whether they wish to accept some or all of the available post-withdrawal loan funds within a specified period of time of not less than 14 days after the student is contacted by the University. The University may honor a late response but will not honor a response that is more than 180 days late. The University will only disburse post-withdrawal funds upon documented confirmation by the borrower.
There are some Title IV funds that students are scheduled to receive but which cannot be earned once a student withdraws because of other eligibility requirements. For example, in certain circumstances, if a first-time, first-year undergraduate student has not completed the first 30 days of their program before withdrawal, the student will not earn any Title IV funds that he or she would have received had the student remained enrolled past the 30th day.
If the student receives (or the University receives on behalf of the student) excess Title IV program funds that must be returned, the University will return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:
1. The University charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of the funds, or
2. The entire amount of excess funds.
The University will return this amount even if it did not keep this amount of the Title IV program funds. If the University is not required to return all of the excess funds, then the student must return the remaining amount. For any loan funds that must be returned, the student must arrange repayment in accordance with the terms of the promissory note - that is, scheduled payments are made to the holder of the loan over a period of time. Students who have received a refund of their loan proceeds before withdrawing may be required to return part or all of those funds to the lender.
Title IV funds will be returned in the following order by the University:
1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct loans
2. Subsidized Federal Direct loans
3. PLUS Loans
The University will notify the borrower via email which funds are returned.
The requirements for Title IV program funds when students withdraw are separate from any refund policy that the University has. Therefore, in the event of withdrawal, the student may still owe funds to the University to cover unpaid University charges. The University may also attempt to collect from the student any Title IV program funds that the University was required to return. The student may receive a copy of the refund policy here institutional refund policy.
Definitions:
Leaves of Absence (LOA)
A Leave of Absence is a temporary interruption in a student's program of study. In the context of Title IV funds, a LOA refers to the specific time period during a program when a student is not in attendance and will return to complete the program. Students returning from a LOA are not required to re-apply for admission but must notify the Admissions Office of their return to their program of study.
This is different than the general university policy regarding leaves which can be found at the student portal https://studerende.au.dk/en/specialleave/
Unapproved Leaves of Absence
The University may grant a student a LOA that does not meet the conditions to be an approved LOA for Title IV purposes (for example, for academic reasons). However, any LOA that does not meet all of the conditions for an approved LOA is considered a withdrawal for Title IV purposes
Official Withdrawal
A “withdrawal” refers to a student’s intent to completely terminate studies at the University with no expectation of return. Students who subsequently decide to return to their studies must re-apply for admission through the University’s Admissions Office.
Unofficial Withdrawal
An unofficial withdrawal is one where the University has not received notice from the student that the student has ceased or will cease attending their program of studies at the University.
Deferral/LOA and Withdrawal Request Forms
The forms required by the University to request a LOA or Withdrawal are available on the student portal and must be submitted at mit.au.dk.
Approved LOA’s
A LOA must meet certain conditions to be counted as a temporary interruption in a student’s education instead of being counted as a withdrawal requiring the University to perform a Return Calculation. If a Deferral or LOA does not meet the conditions in that the student is considered to have ceased attendance and to have withdrawn from the University, then the University will perform a Return Calculation.
In order for an LOA to qualify as an approved LOA:
1. All requests for LOAs must be submitted at mit.au.dk and to the International Office and must include the reason for the student’s request. The form must specify the date the student wants the LOA to begin and end. The maximum period of LOA granted will 180 days in any 12 month period.
2. Students must apply in advance for a LOA, unless unforeseen circumstances prevent the student from doing so, with the LOA being subject to approval.
3. The situation described as the reason for the LOA will be generally non-academic in nature, and it must be one that leads to a reasonable expectation that the student will return from the LOA within the allowed time frame specified to complete the overall award on which they have enrolled.
4. The LOA, together with any additional leaves of absence, must not exceed one year.
All requests for LOA’s will be reviewed by the International Office. The student will be notified in writing by the International Office of the University’s decision. Requests are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
During the LOA, the University will not assess the student any additional University charges, meaning that the student's financial needs will not increase, and therefore, the student will not be eligible for any additional disbursements of Federal Student Aid.
If the student is a Federal Direct Loan recipient, the University will explain to the student, prior to granting the LOA, the effects that the student’s failure to return from a LOA may have on the student’s loan repayment terms, including the expiration of the student’s grace period.
A student granted a LOA that meets the criteria stated above is not considered to have withdrawn, and no Return Calculation is required. Upon the student’s return from the leave, he or she will continue to earn the Federal Student Aid previously awarded for the period.
Completion of coursework upon return
In as much as approved LOAs are viewed as temporary interruptions in a student’s attendance, and since the academic programs at the University are considered as term-based programs where the payment period is the term, a student returning from an LOA must do so at a time when he or she can complete the term in order to complete the payment period and be eligible to receive a second or subsequent disbursement. Therefore, for students enrolled on term-based programs, the University will allow a student returning from a LOA to complete the coursework that he or she began prior to the LOA.
Students who return earlier than anticipated
The University may permit a student holding an agreed LOA to recommence classes before the expiration of the student’s LOA in order to review material previously covered. However, until the student has resumed the academic program at the point where he or she began the LOA period, the student is considered to still be on approved LOA. The days the student spends in class before the course reaches the point at which the student began his or her LOA must be counted in the one-year maximum period granted for an approved leave of absence. A student repeating coursework while on a LOA must reach the point at which he or she interrupted within one year of the start of the student’s LOA.
Students who fail to return from LOA’s
If a student does not return to the University at the expiration of an approved LOA (or a student takes an unapproved LOA), the student’s withdrawal date is determined as the date that the student began the LOA.
Explanation of consequences of withdrawal to loan recipients
A student who is granted an approved LOA is considered to remain an enrolled University student for Title IV loan repayment purposes. If a student on an approved LOA fails to return, then the University will report that student to the US Department of Education giving the student’s change in enrolment status as the withdrawal date. One possible consequence of not returning from a LOA is that a student’s grace period for a Title IV program loan might be exhausted. Therefore, in order for a LOA to be an approved LOA, prior to granting a leave of absence, the University will inform a student who is a Title IV loan recipient of the possible consequences that a withdrawal may have on the student’s loan repayment terms, including the exhaustion of the student’s grace period.
Unapproved LOA’s
The University may grant a student a LOA that does not meet the conditions to be an approved LOA for Title IV purposes (as for example, for academic reasons). However, any LOA that does not meet all of the conditions for an approved LOA is considered a withdrawal for Title IV purposes. The student’s withdrawal date is the date the student begins the LOA. An unapproved LOA is treated as an official withdrawal with the University using the specified withdrawal date in the Return Calculation.
The U.S. government requires institutions offering federal student loans to disclose the following consumer information. If you require further information, please email the Federal Student Aid administrator at usloans@au.dk
Student Financial Aid Information
For information regarding Denmark’s student financial assistance program, please visit this page.
U.S. Financial Aid Information
Please visit the AU’s US Federal Student Loans program page for information about:
Please note that mature students are ineligible for Federal Student Aid. USA federal regulations state that you must have a secondary school completion credential (high school diploma) or the recognized equivalent of a secondary school completion credential to be eligible to receive Federal Student Aid.
The US Department of Education provides information or student on Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov
Degree Programs, Admission Policies and Procedures
The list of degree programs offered at Aarhus University is available online. Instructional, laboratory and other physical facilities are included in the degree program descriptions. Courses for each degree are listed accordingly and link directly to the course catalogue where detailed descriptions of each course can be found.
Each academic program has its own set of academic regulations. The academic regulations include lists of mandatory and elective courses, exam regulations as well as information about registration and withdrawal.
Procedures for application for admission to Aarhus University, and admission requirements, are located on the following websites
Ineligible programs
Aarhus University is not eligible to certify Direct Loans for the following programs:
If you are an American student intending to study any of these programs at Aarhus University, please note that you will not be able to fund your studies with Federal Direct Loans.
Online courses
Aarhus University does not offer online courses. Students are required to be physically present on campus.
Joint and Double Degree Programs
If you enroll in a joint or double degree program at Aarhus University, please note that you will not be eligible for Federal Direct Loans unless you study at Title IV institutions only during the entire program. The table below demonstrates eligible institutions participating in each of the joint and double degree programs currently offered at AU:
Program name
| Eligible institutions abroad |
Master in Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution | University of Göttingen VU Amsterdam |
Master in Journalism, Media and Globalisation | City University London University of Amsterdam |
Master Organic Agriculture and Food Systems | University of Hohenheim |
Master in Soils and Global Change | Ghent University |
School costs
Tuition fees vary according to degree programs. Please consult the list of tuition fees for further information.
Detailed information about living expenses in Denmark is also available online.
Services to Students with Disabilities
Danish and EU-country students with disabilities are covered by AU’s Special Educational Support (SPS) program. This is a publicly funded program, part of Denmark’s social welfare program, and unfortunately, this means that US citizens are not able to access the program.
Refund Policy
Aarhus University has an institutional refund policy for international students attending the institution. The return policy for title IV funds overrules the institutional refund policy. Information about the title IV refund policy (R2T4) is available on the U.S. loans website.
Study Abroad Information
If you are unable to obtain a full course load (30 ECTS per semester) during your study abroad, you must make arrangements for making up the missing ECTS points.
The courses completed during your study abroad will be transferred to your AU degree program upon your return, and count towards your AU degree.
Please note that if you are receiving US financial aid, you are not allowed to study abroad in the US or study abroad at a school that is not approved for Title IV (Federal) Aid.
The list of ineligible study abroad programs is available on the US Loans website.
Withdrawal Procedures
If you intend to withdraw from your program of study at Aarhus University, please follow AU's withdrawal procedures . Please note that withdrawal will affect your Federal Student Aid eligibility.
Code of Conduct
Danish universities, together with the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, have agreed on a code of conduct (PDF).
AU has a zero tolerance policy for any form of harassment, bullying, violence or discrimination. For information regarding this policy and available resources for those who experience unacceptable and abusive behavior, please visit this page.
Plagiarism
AU has regulations and processes in place to address the issue of plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Students who cheat at an exam or contribute to cheating will be sanctioned in accordance with the university’s disciplinary rules. Possible sanctions range from a warning to permanent expulsion from the university, and are imposed on the basis of an overall assessment of the gravity of the offence in the specific case.
Quality Assurance and Accreditation
AU's policy for quality assurance in education ensures a common set of core values for quality assurance within the field of education for the entire university and across the different levels and main academic areas. Read AU’s policy documents and education strategy here.
In the process of institutional accreditation, the quality system of the entire institution is assessed by the Danish Accreditation Institution.
Information Security Policy
Aarhus University has a robust information security policy which is reviewed at least once a year based on ongoing monitoring and reporting. The policy covers information which belongs to Aarhus University as well as information which does not necessarily belong to Aarhus University, but for which Aarhus University can be made responsible. This includes all staff and student data, financial data, all the data which contributes to the administration of Aarhus University, as well as information which has been passed to Aarhus University by others.
This policy covers all Aarhus University’s information, irrespective of the way in which it is stored and communicated.
Privacy Information for Students
AU receives and processes large quantities of personal information about students. In handling and storing this data, AU complies with national GDPR legislation. Information regarding data protection for students and AU’s role as data controller is available here
The university will confirm ongoing enrolment and academic achievement with the US Department of Education as required by Federal Student Aid regulations. By applying for, and accepting Federal Student Aid, students are acknowledging and consenting to this sharing of data.
Further information of whom data may/can be shared with can be found in the Master Promissory Notes(s) (MPN(s)) that students complete and sign to obtain Federal Aid.
For more information about your privacy rights please see the following links:
Section 4. Misrepresentation
Aarhus University will hold itself to the highest levels of integrity and will not provide any false, erroneous, or misleading statements to a student or prospective student, to the family of an enrolled or prospective student, or to the US Department of Education.
Aarhus University is committed to operating in an environment of integrity. Each member of Aarhus University staff is responsible for assuring that the actions and activities conducted at the University promote such an environment.
Published information in the bulletin, on the University website, and in the University’s marketing materials are reviewed carefully by multiple persons who check for accuracy as well as composition of the content.
For specific information in the following areas, please contact the departments listed here:
Code of Conduct for Education Loans
Aarhus University prohibits a conflict of interest with the responsibilities of university staff with respect to private education loans.
The following actions are prohibited for any member of staff:
• Revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender
• Receiving gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or a loan servicer
• Contracting arrangements providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender Directing borrowers to particular lenders, or refusing or delaying loan certifications
• Offers of funds for private loans
• Call centre or financial aid office staffing assistance
• Advisory board compensation
Aarhus University does not have a Preferred Lender Agreement with any specific lender of private education loans. The University will, in most cases, work with whichever private lender a prospective borrower decides to use. However, prospective borrowers should be aware that the majority of private lenders choose not to offer loans to students studying outside the USA.
Aarhus University does not endorse, promote or recommend any United States based private Student Loan provider who may offer loans for study at Foreign Schools. However, at the date of publication we are only aware of one such provider: Sallie Mae. Any reference to Sallie Mae in University communications or on Aarhus University website does not represent the existence of a ‘preferred’ lender and is merely used as an example of a lender.
In the event that other companies begin to offer private Student Loans for study at Foreign Schools, they will be given equal visibility.
Aarhus University has no affiliation with and receives no financial incentives from Sallie Mae or any other private lender.
Please note, that private student loans are still limited to your Cost of Attendance similar to Direct Loans. You are allowed to hold both types of loans but the total cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance.
Students should be aware that they may qualify for Title IV HEA Program loans, and that the lending terms and conditions of the Title IV HEA Program loans may be more favourable than the provisions of the private education loans. Students are advised that Aarhus University does not offer any advice on which loan to take out, and that they should conduct their own research into what loans would best meet their needs.
Please write to Ms. Bente Broch Sørensen (usloans@au.dk) in the International Office if you have questions about US Federal Student Aid at Aarhus University.
