Student Loans
The U.S. Department of Education offers low-interest loans to eligible students to help cover the cost of college or career school. Students may be eligible to receive subsidized and unsubsidized loans based on their financial need.
Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are federal student loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. The U.S. Department of Education offers eligible students at participating schools Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans. (Some people refer to these loans as Stafford Loans or Direct Stafford Loans.)
The link provided below is from the Department of Education regarding all of the questions one may have regarding loans and eligibility requirements.
https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized
Fletcher Technical Community College does not participate in the Federal Direct Plus Loan program.
LOAN APPLICATION PROCESS
In order to complete the student loan application process, you must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Once your FAFSA has been successfully submitted and all required information submitted to the Enrollment Services Office at Fletcher, you must complete and submit the Loan Request Form. At this time, your loan eligibility will be packaged by Enrollment Services to determine the amount. Before the loan will ever be disbursed to the student account, all students must successfully complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) using the Federal Student Aid Username and Password used to sign your FAFSA.
Entrance Counseling
First-time Federal Direct Stafford Loan borrowers are required to complete an entrance counseling session. Entrance counseling should be completed online at www.studentloans.gov. Entrance counseling must be on file before funds can be approved and sent to the College. This ensures the student fully understands their rights and obligations as a student loan borrower. Entrance counseling provides information regarding loan repayment responsibilities, including repayment options, interest accrual, and aggregate loan limits.
Exit Counseling
Once a student has graduated, dropped below a half-time enrollment status, or has withdrawn from school, the student will be notified electronically via email to complete Exit Counseling. The notification informs the student they are required to visit www.studentloans.gov and complete exit counseling. Exit counseling provides information regarding various loan repayment responsibilities, including repayment options, interest accrual and aggregate loan limits.
DEFAULT PREVENTION INFORMATION
If you don’t make your loan payments, you risk going into default. Defaulting on your loan has serious consequences. Your school, the financial institution that made or owns your loan, your loan guarantor, and the federal government all can take action to recover the money you owe. To understand how missing a loan payment can be a problem, what default means and the consequences of default, and what you need to do if your loan is in default or if you think the default on your loan is an error go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans.
REPAYING YOUR LOANS
Please visit the following links prior to obtaining your loan so you will be informed about repayment. Loan repayment is very important as there are severe consequences if the loan should enter default.
PRIVATE LOANS
Alternative Educational Loans, also known as Private Educational Loans, consist of any student loan that is not a federal student loan. Alternative loans are available from banks and private loan companies and offer additional financial assistance to students who may not be eligible for federal aid. Alternative loans should only be considered after applying for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
LINKS
Not Sure if Student Loans Are For You?
If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand who is making the loan and the terms and conditions of the loan.