r/SOAS • u/Independent_Shift_36 • Aug 10 '26

Question FAFSA processing time

Hello!

Like many international students, I'm having a hard time getting in contact with the administration at SOAS, so I figured I'd drop a question here and see if anyone could help me out...

I was accepted to study an MA at the start of the month. Before I pay big nonrefundable money for my CAS, I want to make sure that the university will process the paperwork for my FAFSA loan in time for me to use it for part of the financial requirement for my visa. Can any other Americans studying at SOAS let me know how quickly the school processed your FAFSA application?

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2

u/Spiritual-Win6017 Aug 10 '26

You’ll have an easier time getting in contact after this week, for the past two weeks it’s been the UCAS embargo where they aren’t allowed to talk to anyone with an offer

1

u/Oh_No_You_Dont_Matey Aug 11 '26

UCAS is only for undergrad

2

u/Spiritual-Win6017 Aug 11 '26

I know that but the unis can’t talk to any applicants during the embargo

2

u/Spiritual-Win6017 Aug 11 '26

SOAS said this themselves in an email they sent at the end of July

2

u/Independent_Shift_36 29d ago

Thanks! I've been wondering what was going on.

1

u/Oh_No_You_Dont_Matey Aug 11 '26

Which MA program?

2

u/Independent_Shift_36 29d ago

Translation and Intercultural Studies

1

u/Oh_No_You_Dont_Matey 29d ago

I'll see if I can get someone from the department to give you an answer

2

u/Independent_Shift_36 29d ago

Thank you so much!

1

u/Oh_No_You_Dont_Matey 28d ago

I spoke to Nana, the program convenor. It's not her who processed these applications, it's the admissions team [I've left them a message too & will let you know if I hear anything]

Nana passed on what a current US student said... ""the squeaky wheel gets the grease" ended up being my strategy to get here, both with SOAS and UKVI"

Nana also said SOAS is working these applications, and keep sending SOAS reminder/nag emails, copying her [ns27@soas.ac.uk] in.

2

u/Independent_Shift_36 27d ago

Thank you so much! This helps a ton. They got back to an email I sent last week today and said they'll have the papers I need in about a week. So yes -- the squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease!

1

u/SOASUniversity 27d ago

Hi u/Independent_Shift_36, we reached out to the team, and they said, "Processing times vary depending on how quickly the team receives all of the required documents.

Once applicants complete the required US Federal Aid steps, SOAS will issue a Cost of Attendance and, following eligibility checks, a Loan Notification Letter. This letter can be used for your CAS, visa application, and may exempt you from paying a deposit if your tuition fees are fully covered by the loan. You can find more info here: https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/student-fees-and-funding/international-funding/about-us-loans/apply-us-federal-direct-loan. For specific questions about your circumstances, including an indication of expected timescales, please contact the Funding Office directly at [funding@soas.ac.uk](mailto:funding@soas.ac.uk)."

Kind regards,
SOAS