DIRECT LOAN Information

Transcription

1 DIRECT LOAN Information OTC will participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program that allows students to borrow money at a low interest rate for educational expenses. OTC will participate in Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans only. Loans are funds that have to be REPAID and students must meet loan eligibility requirements. STUDENT LOANS A SUBSIDIZED Federal Direct Loan is a need-based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to receive is based on your financial need. The federal government pays the interest that accrues on a loan while you are in school at least half-time (6 credit hours), during your grace period after you leave school or graduate, and during eligible deferment periods. An UNSUBSIDIZED Federal Direct loan is a non-need based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to borrow is not based on your financial need. If you receive an unsubsidized Direct Loan, you will be responsible for all interest that accrues on the loan from the date of disbursement forward. STUDENTS MUST MEET LOAN ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS Citizenship- You must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen Enrollment- You must be accepted for enrollment and enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) in an eligible program leading to an associate degree, diploma or eligible certificate program. Academic- You must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Non-Default- You must not be in default on an educational loan or owe a refund on an educational grant. High School- You must have a high school diploma or GED Law- You must meet all of the other Federal Direct Loan program eligibility requirements prescribed by law at the time your loan application is processed. Financial Need- You must successfully complete the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) and submit any required documentation to the OTC Financial Aid Office to complete your student financial aid file. Loan Counseling- You must complete Loan ENTRANCE Counseling before student loan funds can be disbursed to your account. In addition, you must complete EXIT Counseling upon leaving school or dropping below half-time (6 hours) enrollment. Master Promissory Note (MPN)-All students must have a signed MPN.

2 FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL SUBSIDIZED/UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS 1. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at using your four-digit federal PIN number. Ogeechee Technical College s school code is *If you do not have a federal PIN number, go to to apply 2. If chosen for Verification, submit all missing information. *Loans cannot be determined and will not be processed until the verification process is complete. 3. Complete in full the OTC loan application in blue or black ink and return to the Financial Aid Office. *Incomplete forms or forms not completed in ink will not be processed. 4. Complete the online ENTRANCE Counseling at *If you have completed ENTRANCE Counseling for a prior school year or for a prior school, the site will alert you of this. HOWEVER...you must continue and complete the ENTRANCE Counseling for OTC. Inside the Manage my Direct Loan box, click the Sign In tab Enter your personal information. Use your FAFSA PIN to sign in Click the Entrance Counseling link on the left of screen Click Complete Entrance Counseling Select Undergraduate Student Read the material and answer the questions Follow all instructions until you receive a confirmation message 5. Complete the MPN (Master Promissory Note) at *If you have completed an MPN within the last ten years, you should not have to complete another MPN at this time. However, if there has been a year or more of loan inactivity, your MPN may be in an inactive status and further action may be required. Inside the Manage my Direct Loan box, click the Sign In tab Enter your personal information. Use your FAFSA four-digit PIN to sign in Click the Complete MPN link Click the Subsidized and Unsubsidized link (please note that all OTC students are Undergraduate students) Enter your information and click Continue at the end of each page. When completing step 3, you must open and read all 4 items before you can proceed. Review and sign your Master Promissory Note Follow all steps until you receive a confirmation message 6. EXIT Counseling can be completed at https//studentloans.gov or You will be required to complete EXIT Counseling if your enrollment falls below 6 credit hours. This may occur because of dropped classes or graduation. A hold will be placed on your account until this is completed. After completing the above steps, we can process your loan application. Please be aware that loan processing is a process that may take 4-6 weeks to complete. Once your application is processed, your award will be posted to your Banner account and you may view it under your Authorized Aid. The disbursement dates on Banner are the dates that your information is released from Financial Aid to the Business Office. The Business Office then has 14 days to issue you a refund if your file is complete and all requirements have been met. Refunds are processed approximately every two weeks after the first refund issuance of the term.

3 Direct Loan FAQ s What is a subsidized federal direct loan? A SUBSIDIZED Federal Direct Loan is a need-based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to receive is based on your financial need. The federal government pays the interest that accrues on a loan while you are in school at least half-time (6 credit hours), during your grace period after you leave school or graduate, and during eligible deferment periods. What is an unsubsidized federal direct loan? An UNSUBSIDIZED Federal Direct loan is a non-need based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to borrow is not based on your financial need. If you receive an unsubsidized Direct Loan, you will be responsible for all interest that accrues on the loan from the date of disbursement forward. Is there a fee for a Stafford loan? Yes, there is a 1% fee that is deducted from each disbursement. What do I have to do to get a loan? Complete the FAFSA for the appropriate academic year using your four-digit federal PIN number and supply any requested documentation to the financial aid office. You will need to complete an OTC Direct Loan application and return to the Financial Aid office. Complete the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN). Do I need to be enrolled in a specific number of credit hours to qualify for a loan? Yes, students must be enrolled in at least 6 or more credit hours to qualify for a student loan. What do I need to do to get an in-school deferment form sent to my lender? You do not need to do anything. The Registrar s Office automatically notifies the National Clearinghouse of a student s enrollment status. The first notification will be sent approximately two weeks after the semester starts. I am transferring to Ogeechee Technical College and I already have loans in place at another school, Will that loan transfer to otc? No, financial aid does not transfer from one institution to another. You must reapply for loans at OTC using our Direct Loan Application. You must also request that your current school cancel your loan with them. OTC will not be able to certify a loan for you if you have pending disbursements at your current school.

4 How much can I borrow? Eligibility for the Federal Stafford Loan Program is determined by the Financial Aid Office. The loan amount is based upon the student s eligibility and is determined by the college s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you may receive. The totals below are the annual maximum amounts. $5,500 for dependent freshman students (no more than $3,500 may be subsidized) $9,500 for independent freshman students (no more than $3,500 may be subsidized) $6,500 for dependent sophomore students (no more than $4,500 may be subsidized) $10,500 for independent sophomore students (no more than $4,500 may be subsidized) Do I have to accept the full loan amount offered? No. You do not have to accept the full amount and may choose only a partial amount. You will need to complete a loan reduction/cancelation form. Remember, ALL loans are funds that have to be REPAID. What can my loan money be used for? Any expense incurred as it relates to education. This can include, but is not limited to, tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, living expenses, etc. When do I have to pay back my loan? Repayment will start six months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half time enrollment. How long does it take to process my request? It can take 4-6 weeks for Financial Aid to process your loan application and transmit the information to the Department of Education. Please allow additional time for loan requests to be processed during peak times. Do I have to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN)? You must sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) if you have not previously borrowed in the Direct Loan Program. You will need your FAFSA PIN number to sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN). If you don t know your FAFSA pin number, go to Students have to complete an MPN electronically at If you have signed an MPN within the last ten years, you probably will not need a new one. Do I need to complete Entrance Counseling? Yes, all students will be required to complete the online Entrance Counseling. You may complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling electronically via the StudentLoans.gov Web site at Where can I find information on who services my federal loans? Information on all of your federal loan debt can be accessed via National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at How do I contact the Direct Loan Program? The U.S. Department of Education Direct Loan Program Customer Service phone number is

5 PROGRAMS OF STUDY Title IV Eligible (PELL, SEOG, Federal Work Study & Loans) Accounting Accounting AAS Degree Accounting Diploma Agribusiness Agribusiness AAS Degree Agribusiness Diploma Air Conditioning Technology Air Conditioning Technology Diploma Automotive Technology Automotive Fundamentals Diploma Automotive Technology Diploma Basic Law Enforcement Basic Law Enforcement Certificate Business Administrative Technology Business Administrative Technology AAS Degree Business Administrative Technology Diploma Business Management Business Management Diploma Human Resource Management Specialist Certificate Computer Information Systems Computer Support Specialist AAS Degree Computer Support Specialist Diploma Networking Specialist AAS Degree Networking Specialist Diploma Construction Commercial Construction Management AAS Degree Construction Management Diploma Cosmetology Cosmetology Diploma Esthetician Certificate Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Technology AAS Degree Criminal Justice Technology Diploma Culinary Arts Culinary Arts AAS Degree) Culinary Arts Diploma Dental Assisting Dental Assisting Diploma Early Childhood Care & Education Early Childhood Care and Education AAS Degree Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma Echocardiography Echocardiography Diploma Health Care Assistant Cert. (Echocardiography Track) Electrical Systems Technology Electrical Systems Technology Diploma Photovoltaic Systems Installation and Repair Certificate Fish and Wildlife Management Fish and Wildlife Management Degree Fish and Wildlife Management Diploma Forensics Forensic Science Technology AAS Degree Forensic Science Technology Diploma Funeral Service Funeral Service Education AAS Degree Geographic Information Systems Geographic Information Systems AAS Degree Geographic Information Systems Technology Diploma Health Information Technology SEE OTHER PROGRAMS ON THE BACK! Health Information Technology AAS Degree

6 PROGRAMS OF STUDY Title IV Eligible Cont d (PELL, SEOG, Federal Work Study & Loans) Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management AAS Degree Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management Diploma Marketing Management Marketing Management AAS Degree Marketing Management Diploma Medical Assisting Medical Assisting Diploma Opticianry Opticianry AAS Degree Opticianry Diploma Sonography Diagnostic Medical Sonography Diploma Health Care Assistant Certificate (Sonography Track) Surgical Technology Surgical Technology Diploma Veterinary Technology Veterinary Technology AAS Degree Veterinary Technician Assistant Certificate Paramedicine Technology EMS Professions Diploma Pharmacy Technology Pharmacy Technology Diploma* Practical Nursing Practical Nursing Diploma Health Care Assistant Certificate (Nursing Track) Radiologic Technology Radiologic Technology Diploma Computed Tomography Specialist Certificate Radiology Picture Archiving Radiology PACS Specialist Diploma

7 SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) To be eligible to receive Student Financial Aid (SFA) funds (PELL, SEOG, FWS,Student Loans, HOPE), students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) is required by the U.S. Department of Education to establish minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) means the student is proceeding in a positive manner toward fulfilling educational requirements. Students attending OTC must be in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress. OTC uses the following standards to monitor student s progress toward their diploma, degree, or certificate. Grade Point Average Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 to remain in good standing. A student s GPA will be monitored at the end of each term. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 is placed on financial aid warning for their next term of attendance. This will allow the student one term to increase the cumulative GPA to the satisfactory level. If, after one term, the GPA remains below 2.0, the student will lose financial aid eligibility (placed on financial aid suspension). Students may receive financial aid while on warning. The student will not receive financial aid while on suspension. Maximum Time Frame There are a maximum number of hours that students may attempt in pursuing their program of study. All students must complete their educational objective within a maximum time frame of one and one half (150 percent) times the length of the program in which they are enrolled. This means that once a student has attempted one and one half times the minimum number of credit hours necessary for completing program requirements, the student is ineligible to receive financial aid. Completion Rate In order for students to graduate within this maximum time frame of hours, at the end of each term they are expected to have cumulatively completed at least 66.6% of their credit hours attempted. A student, who, at the end of any term, has not successfully completed 66.6% of his cumulative hours attempted, will be placed on financial aid warning for their next term of attendance. This will allow the student one term to increase the cumulative completion rate to the satisfactory level. If, after one term, the cumulative completion rate remains below 66.6% the student will lose financial aid eligibility (placed on financial aid suspension). Students may receive financial aid while on warning. The student will not receive financial aid while on suspension. Grades The following grades are calculated in the completion rate but do not count toward successfully completion: IP (in progress), I (incomplete), W, WP, F, or WF. Repeat courses will be considered as any other class and both grades will be counted in both the GPA and completion rate. A grade of A*, B*, C*, or D* will be considered satisfactory completion of a learning support course. A grade of F* will be considered unsatisfactory. Grades received for learning support courses are not calculated in the GPA, but the hours are calculated in the 66.6% cumulative completion rate. Transfer Students Transfer students accepted by OTC, not previously enrolled at OTC, will be classified as maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress for the first term enrolled. Only classes transferred in will be used in the completion rate calculation. At the end of the first term, the student s grades will be measured in accordance with the college s Satisfactory Academic requirements. Students who previously attended OTC, transferred to another school, then returned to OTC, will have all OTC courses and courses transferred from other institutions calculated in the cumulative completion rate.

8 WARNING/SUSPENSION If a student fails to meet the cumulative GPA, cumulative completion rate, or the maximum time frame standards at the end of a term, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. The student will continue to receive financial aid while on financial aid warning. However, if the student does not meet the satisfactory academic progress standards by the end of the warning period, he will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The student can continue taking courses while on suspension at the student s expense. Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension Students have the right to appeal their suspension of financial aid if they have mitigating circumstances that prevented them from making satisfactory academic progress. A student wishing to appeal financial aid suspension must do so in writing with supportive documentation. The form may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or the financial aid website. The SAP Appeal form must be submitted at the Financial Aid Appeals Briefing. Dates and times of all Financial Aid Briefings are posted in the Financial Aid Office and at The SAP Appeals Reviewer will review the appeals. The SAP Appeals Reviewer will notify the student of the decision. A student can appeal two times. The Reviewer s decision is final. A student is expected to know the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. The Financial Aid Office attempts to notify students when they are suspended from the financial aid programs, however, sometimes students do not receive notification due to circumstances beyond the control of the Financial Aid Office. If a student is not notified of the suspension, that in itself does not excuse a student from the financial aid suspension, nor does it exempt a student from appealing in a timely manner. A student status is available at all times via Banner Web by clicking Financial Aid, My Eligibility, and Academic Progress. SAP STATUS WARNING: Financial aid warning is a status assigned to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress at the end of the term. Students will be allowed to continue on financial aid (our old Probation no appeal is necessary). SUSPENSION: Financial aid suspension is a status assigned to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress for two consecutive terms, or at the end of a probationary/ap period. The student has now lost financial aid and must pay until he/she meets the current SAP standard. PROBATION - OT: Financial aid probation is a status assigned to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress (after a warning period) and who has appealed and has his/her Financial Aid reinstated for one term. PROBATION - AP(ACADEMIC PLAN): Financial aid AP-probation is a status assigned to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress (after a warning period) and who has appealed and who has completed an academic plan and has his/her Financial Aid reinstated for more than one term, but not to exceed three terms. Revised 07/01/2011

9 Direct Loan Application This application is merely a request for the Financial Aid Office to process a student loan for you. Completion of this application does not guarantee that you will receive a student loan. In addition to this application, you will need to complete all of the loan requirements on the OTC website prior to receiving loan proceeds. Loan processing time is 4-6 weeks. Incomplete or applications not completed in ink will not be processed. Student Information (Please Print using Blue or Black Ink) SS# OTC ID# DOB Last Name First Name MI MI Home Phone Cell Phone Work Phone Personal Address Contacts (Please Print using Blue or Black ink) Please complete the information below for three people that you have known for at least five years. Please include one contact that is closely related to you (parent/guardian, spouse, child, brother/sister, aunt/uncle, etc). Name: Relationship: Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone: Name: Relationship: Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone: Name: Relationship: Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone: By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have read the OTC Direct Loan packet and understand all information contained herein. Signature: Date: