Federal Direct Loan Programs
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program enables eligible students and parents to borrow from U. S. Department of Education instead of from a bank or other lending institution. This allows borrowers to work with a single entity, ED, through its Direct Loan Servicing Center when repaying loans or dealing with loan-related issues. The following Direct Loan programs are available to SC State students:
-
Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and/or unsubsidized loans for students)
First time Federal Direct Stafford Student Loan recipients must complete the Online Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
If you are unsure if you have received such a loan, we encourage you to complete entrance counseling again. Be sure to add SC State in the school section and submit your responses to confirm completion. Once completed, please allow at least 48 hours for your loan status and the Direct Loan Entrance requirement status to change in Bulldog Connection.
-
E-sign your Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (e-MPN). You cannot receive any loan money until you complete the Direct Loan promissory note.
-
Subsidized loans are awarded to students on the basis of financial need. The federal government pays the borrower’s accrued interest during certain periods, such as when the student is in school, thereby “subsidizing” these loans.
-
Unsubsidized loans are not need based; the borrower is responsible for accrued interest throughout the life of the loan.
Both subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to students. PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent students and are always unsubsidized.
-
Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans (for parents of dependent students)
If you think you will need additional loan assistance, you should first consider the Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) loan. In order to receive a Parent (PLUS) Loan, your parent must complete the Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) application. If the Parent (PLUS) loan is approved, the parent must also complete and e-sign an on-line MPN.
-
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (for graduate and professional students)
Graduate or professional students that need additional assistance should consider the Grad PLUS loan. A graduate or professional student must complete the Federal Direct Grad PLUS application and if the loan is approved, complete and e-sign an online MPN.
Private Loans
If after a student have exhausted eligibility for all other loan programs to include the PLUS, if applicable, and additional funding is still needed, the Private loan maybe used as a last alternative.
Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form
The federal government now requires students that are applying for a Private Education Loan to complete and sign a Self Certification Form. The Self Certification is a separate process. This form will be sent to you by your lender as part of your application process. The applicant must fill in general demographic, cost of attendance and financial assistance. The applicant must sign the form and return it to the lender prior to private loan funds being disbursed.
Self- Certification Application
You may obtain the necessary financial aid information for section 3 from Bulldog Connection
- Cost of Attendance
- Estimated Financial Assistance
Steps to obtain Cost of Attendance and Estimated Financial Aid
- Login to Bulldogs Connection
- Click on Student and Financial Aid
- Click on Financial Aid
- Click on Financial Aid Status
- Select the award period appropriate to your loan application
- Cost of Attendance should be listed
- Estimated Financial Assistance is equivalent to the awarded financial aid
The lender will not notify SC State of your loan status until after they have received all the required information. Be sure to start the application process early, allowing 2-3 weeks at minimum for processing of your application by your lender and SC State.
