American University

4400 Massachusetts Ave NW
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Special Learning Opportunities
Distance education – undergraduate programs offered
Distance education – graduate programs offered
ROTC (Army, Air Force)
Study abroad
Weekend/evening college
Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Student Services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
On-campus day care for students' children
Undergraduate students enrolled who are formally registered with office of disability services
12.36%
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Religious Affiliation
United Methodist
Federal Aid
Eligible students may receive Pell Grants and other federal aid (e.g. Direct Loans).
For-credit instruction programs offered
Academic
Noncredit education offered
English as a Second Language
Continuing Professional Education
Credit Accepted
Dual credit
Advanced placement (AP) credits
Faculty and graduate assistants by primary function, Fall 2022Full timePart time
Total faculty898735
Instructional853735
Research and public service450
Total graduate assistants-522
Instructional-522
Research-0
Estimated Expenses for Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Estimated expenses for academic year2019-20202020-20212021-20222022-2023% change 2021-2022 to 2022-2023
Tuition and fees$49,889$51,335$51,334$53,8895.0%
Books and supplies$800$800$800$8000.0%
Living arrangement
On Campus
Room and board$14,880$14,980$15,150$15,7063.7%
Other$909$909$1,308$1,3080.0%
Off Campus
Room and board$14,880$14,980$15,150$15,7063.7%
Other$909$909$1,308$1,3080.0%
Off Campus with Family
Other$1,609$1,609$1,736$1,7360.0%
Total Expenses2019-20202020-20212021-20222022-2023% change 2021-2022 to 2022-2023
On Campus$66,478$68,024$68,592$71,7034.5%
Off Campus$66,478$68,024$68,592$71,7034.5%
Off Campus with Family$52,298$53,744$53,870$56,4254.7%
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This calculator uses estimated student expenses data to estimate the total tuition and fees charged over the duration of a typical 4-year program at this school.
1. Select starting academic year
2. Select tuition inflation rate
 
 

% (0-100 allowed)
  • This school has a tuition prepayment plan which may reduce the total estimated tuition and fees over the duration of a program. For further details please contact the institution.
  • The output is only an estimate and not a guarantee of the actual amount the student may be charged; it is not binding on the Secretary, the institution of higher education, or the State; and it may change, subject to the availability of financial assistance, State appropriations, and other factors. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
  • The estimated price does not include room and board, books and supplies, &c. (where applicable) and is based on previous years' tuition and fees data. Tuition and fees may vary by program. Please contact this institution for detailed price information.
  • Estimated yearly tuition and fees may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Estimate the total tuition and fee costs over the duration of a typical program.
 Multiyear Tuition Calculator
Average graduate student tuition and fees for academic year2022-2023
Tuition$38,139
Fees$987
Alternative Tuition Plans and Promise Program
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition planX
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition plan
  • Does not participate in Promise program
  • For more information on payment options please visit the American Payment Plans and Ameriplan options found here: https://www.american.edu/finance/studentaccounts/tuition-and-fees-information.cfm
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2021-2022
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Type of AidNumber awarded aidPercent awarded aidTotal amount of aid awardedAverage amount of aid awarded
Any student financial aid11,96983%————
Grant or scholarship aid1,56166%$42,361,894$27,138
Federal grants34715%$2,348,304$6,767
Pell grants24810%$1,260,407$5,082
Other federal grants34615%$1,087,897$3,144
State/local government grant or scholarships251%$11,863$475
Institutional grants or scholarships1,53365%$40,001,727$26,094
Student loan aid1,05545%$9,631,053$9,129
Federal student loans1,03744%$5,328,553$5,138
Other student loans1446%$4,302,500$29,878
  • 1 Includes students awarded Federal work study aid and aid from other sources not listed above.
All Undergraduate Students
Type of AidNumber awarded aidPercent awarded aidTotal amount of aid awardedAverage amount of aid awarded
Degree/certificate-seeking
Grant or scholarship aid13,97949%$120,743,955$30,345
Pell grants1,05513%$5,208,932$4,937
Federal student loans2,91836%$17,058,992$5,846
Non-degree/non-certificate-seeking
Grant or scholarship aid1(*)0%(*)(*)
  • 1 Grant or scholarship aid includes aid awarded, from the federal government, state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
  • (*) Average amounts are withheld to preserve the confidentiality of individuals.

  • For more information on Student Financial Assistance Programs or to apply for financial aid via the web, visit Federal Student Aid.
Average Net Price for Full-Time Beginning Students
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.
2019-20202020-20212021-2022
Average net price$37,319$28,622$41,369
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded Title IV aid by income.
Average net price by Income2019-20202020-20212021-2022
$0 – $30,000$21,108$10,818$25,678
$30,001 – $48,000$20,965$11,743$22,059
$48,001 – $75,000$27,374$15,197$30,528
$75,001 – $110,000$33,218$21,773$34,332
$110,001 and more$52,924$40,073$50,571
  • Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees, books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
  • Title IV aid to students includes grant aid, work study aid, and loan aid. These include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Subsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan, and Unsubsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan. For those Title IV recipients, net price is reported by income category and includes students awarded federal aid even if none of that aid was provided in the form of grants. While Title IV status defines the cohort of student for which the data are reported, the definition of net price remains the same – total cost of attendance minus grant aid.
Net Price Calculator
An institution’s net price calculator allows current and prospective students, families, and other consumers to estimate the net price of attending that institution for a particular student.
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Fall 2022
Total enrollment13,885
Undergraduate enrollment7,917
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment15
Graduate enrollment5,968
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status:Full-time: 96%Part-time: 4%Undergraduate Student Gender:Male: 36%Female: 64%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity:American Indian or Alaska Native: 0%Asian: 7%Black or African American: 7%Hispanic/Latino: 12%Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0%White: 55%Two or more races: 5%Race/ethnicity unknown: 3%U.S. Nonresident: 11%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age:24 and under: 98%25 and over: 2%Age unknown: 0%Undergraduate Student Residence:In-state: 2%Out-of-state: 94%Foreign countries: 4%Unknown: 0%
  • Age data are reported for Fall 2021.
  • Residence data are reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates.
Undergraduate Distance Education Status
Undergraduate Enrollment by Distance Education Status:Enrolled exclusively in distance education courses: 1%Enrolled in some, but not all, distance education courses: 23%Not enrolled in any distance education courses: 76%
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status:Full-time: 54%Part-time: 46%
Graduate Distance Education Status
Graduate Enrollment by Distance Education Status:Enrolled exclusively in distance education courses: 25%Enrolled in some, but not all, distance education courses: 11%Not enrolled in any distance education courses: 64%
Undergraduate application fee (2022-2023): $75
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2022
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants19,5106,35413,062
Percent admitted41%38%42%
Percent admitted who enrolled22%24%22%
Admissions ConsiderationsRequired to be consideredNot required, but consideredNot considered
Secondary school GPAX
Secondary school rankX
Secondary school recordX
Completion of college-preparatory programX
RecommendationsX
Formal demonstration of competenciesX
Work experienceX
Personal statement or essayX
Legacy statusNot applicableX
Admission test scoresRequired to be consideredNot required, but considered (Test Optional)Not considered (Test Blind)
SAT / ACTX
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)X
English Proficiency TestX
Test Scores: Fall 2022 (enrolled first-time students)
Students submitting scoresNumberPercent
SAT44125%
ACT30317%
Test Scores25th Percentile*50th Percentile** (median)75th Percentile***
NOTES:
*   25% of students scored at or below
**  50% of students scored above and 50% scored below (i.e., midpoint of the test score distribution)
*** 25% of students scored above
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing660700730
SAT Math630670700
ACT Composite293132
ACT English293335
ACT Math252730
  • Data apply to first-time degree/certificate-seeking students.
  • Institutions are asked to report test scores only if they are required for admission. If an institution reports less than 5 students for any of the test scores, percentiles are not reported.
  • American University Admissions home: https://www.american.edu/admissions/
First-to-Second Year Retention Rates

Retention rates measure the percentage of first-time students who are seeking bachelor's degrees who return to the institution to continue their studies the following fall.

Retention Rates for First-Time Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Student retention:Full-time students: 86%Part-time students: 57%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2021 and Returned in Fall 2022
Overall Graduation Rate and Transfer-Out Rate

The overall graduation rate is also known as the "Student Right to Know" or IPEDS graduation rate. It tracks the progress of students who began their studies as full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students to see if they complete a degree or other award such as a certificate within 150% of "normal time" for completing the program in which they are enrolled.

Some institutions also report a transfer-out rate, which is the percentage of the full-time, first-time students who transferred to another institution without completing at the current institution.

Note that not all students at the institution are tracked for these rates. Students who have already attended another postsecondary institution, or who began their studies on a part-time basis, are not tracked for this rate. At this institution, 90 percent of entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2022.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2016
Overall graduation rate:Overall graduation rate: 79%(*) Transfer-out rate:
Percentage of Full-time, First-Time Students Who Graduated or Transferred Out Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
  • (*) Not all institutions report transfer-out rates.
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rates

Bachelor’s degree graduation rates measure the percentage of entering students beginning their studies full-time and are planning to get a bachelor’s degree and who complete their degree program within a specified amount of time.

Graduation Rates for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor's degree rate:[Began in Fall 2014]4-year: 74%6-year: 79%8-year: 79%[Began in Fall 2016]4-year: 74%6-year: 79%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Graduated in the Specified Amount of Time and Began in Fall 2014 or Fall 2016
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees:Male: 76%Female: 81%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2016 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees:American Indian or Alaska Native: 100%Asian: 81%Black or African American: 78%Hispanic/Latino: 77%Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 100%White: 80%Two or more races: 79%Race/ethnicity unknown: 85%U.S. Nonresident: 77%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2016 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
Completions (Number of awards conferred) 2021-2022
Completions are the number of awards conferred by program and award level.
sort byProgramUndergraduate
Certificate
Postgraduate
Certificate
AssociateBachelorMasterDoctor
  • Data shown are for first majors.
  • (-) Program is not offered at this award level.
  • d identifies programs and award levels that are offered as a distance education program. For program category totals, d is shown if one or more programs in the category are offered as a distance education program.
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
African-American/Black Studies---1--
American/United States Studies/Civilization---5--
Asian Studies/Civilization-1-1--
Disability Studies2-----
French Studies---0--
German Studies---0--
Latin American Studies---0--
Near and Middle Eastern Studies---2--
Russian Studies---0--
Women's Studies-2-4--
Category total23-13--
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry---1--
Biology/Biological Sciences, General---272-
Biostatistics----1-
Biotechnology----4-
Neuroscience---1553
Category total---43123
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting-9-1830-
Business Administration and Management, General-2d-20675-
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other---33--
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies-0----
Finance, General---7526-
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General-2d--34d-
International Business/Trade/Commerce-1--13d-
Management Science-27--93-
Marketing/Marketing Management, General----20-
Project Management-7d--8d-
Real Estate-2--2-
Taxation-3--8-
Category total-53d-332309d-
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other----5-
International and Intercultural Communication----0-
Journalism---5416-
Mass Communication/Media Studies---24651
Political Communication----34-
Public Relations/Image Management---124--
Category total---2021201
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Recording Arts Technology/Technician-0-917-
Category total-0-917-
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science---245-
Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management, Other2-----
Information Science/Studies----51-
Category total2--2456-
Education
Early Childhood Education and Teaching----2-
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities----10-
Educational Leadership and Administration, General-0--11713d
Elementary Education and Teaching---918-
International and Comparative Education-3--6-
Learning Sciences-0--4d-
Secondary Education and Teaching---09-
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels---00-
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor10--9-
Category total13-9175d13d
English Language and Literature/Letters
Creative Writing----11-
General Literature---162-
Category total---1613-
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General-0--42d-
Category total-0--42d-
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Arabic Language and Literature---1--
Language Interpretation and Translation400----
Spanish Language and Literature---2--
Category total400-3--
Health Professions and Related Programs
Health/Health Care Administration/Management----16d-
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies-0----
Public Health Education and Promotion---1016-
Public Health, General---62--
Category total-0-7232d-
History
History, General---18306
Category total---18306
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other---7--
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies---66162
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy-4----
Homeland Security----64-
Category total-4-73802
Legal Professions and Studies
Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General----46d-
American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence----95
Intellectual Property Law----8-
International Business, Trade, and Tax Law----7-
International Law and Legal Studies----58-
Law-----320
Legal Professions and Studies, Other----0-
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other-3----
Legal Studies---21--
Category total-3-21128d325
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies--00--
Category total--00--
Mathematics and Statistics
Applied Mathematics, General---30-
Mathematics and Statistics, Other-9----
Mathematics, General---50-
Statistics, General-2-86-
Statistics, Other---4--
Category total-11-206-
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Computational Science---0--
Data Analytics, General1-----
International/Globalization Studies6-----
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other43--107--
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution-1--32-
Category total501-10732-
Natural Resources and Conservation
Environmental Science---1618-
Environmental Studies---1117-
Category total---2735-
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management-2d--51d-
Category total-2d--51d-
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Applied and Professional Ethics0-----
Ethics----24-
Jewish/Judaic Studies---3--
Philosophy---92-
Religion/Religious Studies---1--
Category total0--1326-
Physical Sciences
Chemistry, General---01-
Physics, General---4--
Category total---41-
Psychology
Clinical Psychology-----5
Psychology, General---5019-
Category total---50195
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Public Administration-1--1558
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other-0----
Public Policy Analysis, General-1--63-
Category total-2--2188
Social Sciences
Anthropology, General-0-10105
Development Economics and International Development-0--7-
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics---541
Economics, General---433113
Economics, Other-6----
International Economics-0--7-
International Relations and Affairs-15-3793493
Medical Anthropology1d2d----
Political Science and Government, General25--162193
Political Science and Government, Other61-5--
Social Sciences, Other-0----
Sociology, General-0-185-
Category total32d24d-62243225
Visual and Performing Arts
Art History, Criticism and Conservation---410-
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General-1--17-
Cinematography and Film/Video Production----24-
Dance, General---0--
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General---7--
Film/Cinema/Media Studies---4820-
Fine/Studio Arts, General---09-
Game and Interactive Media Design-0--3-
Graphic Design---14--
Music, General---8--
Musical Theatre---13--
Photography---1--
Category total-1-9583-
Grand total12710701,7731,917388
Athletics Participation
  • Sanction Body: NCAA Division I without football
Varsity Men's and Women's TeamsMenWomen
All Track Combined5460
Basketball1515
Field Hockey25
Lacrosse30
Soccer3226
Swimming and Diving2624
Volleyball19
Wrestling25
Institutional Accreditation
AccreditorStatusNext Review Date
Middle States Commission on Higher EducationAccredited since (01/01/1928)01/01/2024
Programmatic Accreditation
Accreditor / ProgramStatusNext Review Date
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
Law (LAW) - Professional schoolsAccredited since ((!)01/01/1940)08/31/2026
American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation
Clinical Psychology (CLPSY) - PhD Doctoral programsAccredited since (03/01/1972)12/31/2029
Council on Education for Public Health
Public Health Programs (PHPB) – Baccalaureate only level programs offered outside a school of public healthAccredited since (10/07/2016)12/31/2024
 No Longer Recognized  National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schoolsAccredited since ((!)01/01/1965)TBD
  • (!) Estimated date
  • For more detailed information on accreditation for this institution, including all actions and justification for actions, visit OPE's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs: ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/institution-profile/108816.
On-Campus
Criminal Offenses201920202021
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
b. Negligent manslaughter000
c. Rape14181
d. Fondling444
e. Incest000
f. Statutory Rape000
g. Robbery100
h. Aggravated assault200
i. Burglary632
j. Motor vehicle theft100
k. Arson000
VAWA Offenses201920202021
a. Domestic violence942
b. Dating violence000
c. Stalking11104
Arrests201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.000
b. Drug abuse violations000
c. Liquor law violations000
Disciplinary Actions201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.300
b. Drug abuse violations1706529
c. Liquor law violations442107215
On-Campus Student Housing Facilities
  • On-campus Student Housing Facilities statistics are a subset of On-Campus statistics.
Criminal Offenses201920202021
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
b. Negligent manslaughter000
c. Rape1471
d. Fondling014
e. Incest000
f. Statutory Rape000
g. Robbery000
h. Aggravated assault100
i. Burglary201
j. Motor vehicle theft000
k. Arson000
VAWA Offenses201920202021
a. Domestic violence612
b. Dating violence000
c. Stalking542
Arrests201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.000
b. Drug abuse violations000
c. Liquor law violations000
Disciplinary Actions201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.300
b. Drug abuse violations1706529
c. Liquor law violations442107215
  • The crime data reported by the institutions have not been subjected to independent verification by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, the Department cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data reported here.
  • The crime statistics displayed only includes On-Campus data associated with the main campus as listed on College Navigator. For statistics associated with each campus location, off campus data, and for additional information covering Hate Crimes, and Fire statistics see https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety.
  • The On-Campus data do not include incidents that: (a) took place on public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus; (b) took place on any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or (c) took place on any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution's educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.
Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)
Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families
Recognized student veteran organization
Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding
  • American University (AU) will consider up to a maximum of 30 credits for transfer from a combination of military course work that the American Council on Education (ACE) has deemed appropriate for academic credit. For details please visit: https://www.american.edu/admissions/military/military-credits.cfm
Tuition policies specifically for Veterans and Servicemembers
Educational Benefits, 2021-2022
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance:Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - undergraduates: 136Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - graduates: 316DoD Tuition Assistance Program - undergraduates: 1DoD Tuition Assistance Program - graduates: 43
Average amount of benefits/assistance disbursed through the institution (*)
Average amount of benefits/assistance disbursed through the institution:Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - undergraduates: $32,379Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - graduates: $19,095DoD Tuition Assistance Program - graduates: $3,365
  • (*) One or more average amounts of benefits/assistance are withheld to preserve the privacy of individuals.
RETENTION RATES
RETENTION RATES FOR FIRST-TIME, DEGREE/CERTIFICATE EDUCATION BENEFIT USERS PURSUING BACHELOR'S DEGREES
RETENTION RATES FOR FIRST-TIME, DEGREE/CERTIFICATE EDUCATION BENEFIT USERS PURSUING BACHELOR'S DEGREESFull-time students: 73%
Retention rate is the percentage of undergraduate students who began their studies in academic year 2013-14 and returned in academic year 2014-15
Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates
Fiscal Year202020192018
Default rate0.0%0.9%1.7%
Number in default02949
Number in repayment2,8962,9302,788
Aid Programs
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)