Marist will participate in the William D. Ford Direct Lending Program.  The lender is the U.S. Department of Education.   The FAFSA must be completed before a Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan can be awarded.  

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

The Interest rate for the Direct Subsidized Loan is always fixed for the life of that loan. However, interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Please visit studentaid.gov for the most current interest rates. Principal and interest are repayable beginning six months after graduation, or after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Interest on this loan is paid by the Federal Government while the student is enrolled at least half time in a degree program. Federal provisions eliminates the interest subsidy provided during the six-month grace period for Direct Subsidized Loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 2012, and before July 1, 2014. Students receiving a subsidized loan during this timeframe will be responsible for the interest that accrues on the loan during the grace period. If a student does not pay the interest accrued, the interest will be added (capitalized) to the principal amount of their loan when the grace period ends.

Direct Subsidized Loans are awarded to students with financial need determined by the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) form.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

For the Direct Unsubsidized Loans, the student is responsible for interest payments while in school. (You have the option to defer payments of interest and principal until after you graduate.) The Interest rate for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan is always fixed for the life of that loan. However, interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Please visit studentaid.gov for the most current interest rates. Repayment begins six months after graduation, or after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time. Students are awarded a Direct Unsubsidized Loan if their FAFSA information determines they have no financial need.

Important Direct Loan Information:

• A student must be at least half time status (6 credits) at all times to be eligible for this loan.
• The Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a promissory note under which you may receive multiple subsidized and unsubsidized loans over a maximum ten-year period. If you complete a MPN as a first-year or during your first semester at Marist, you may not have to complete another application for 10 years, or until you enter another college.
• The Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a promissory note under which you may receive multiple subsidized and unsubsidized loans over a maximum ten-year period.
• All Direct Loans are subject to fees. The fees will be deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement. Disbursements are sent directly to Marist, two per loan period.
• Direct Loan funds will be transferred electronically to your college account. These funds must be credited to your account in the Office of Student Financial Services within 3 days of disbursement to the college or your loan will be canceled and your funds returned to the Department of Education.
• First-time borrowers of a Direct Loan must complete an entrance counseling session before you receive your loan. This ensures that you have received loan counseling and understand your responsibilities.
• All borrowers of a Direct Loan must complete an exit counseling session prior to withdrawal, transfer, leave of absence, or graduation from the college. This ensures that you have received loan counseling and understand your rights and responsibilities.
• Students changing from a Freshmen to Sophomore or from Sophomore to Junior status may be entitled to additional loan monies as per the Federal Direct Loan Limits.  Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for further information regarding this increase.
• If you choose to withdraw or take a leave of absence from Marist, you must notify the appropriate offices.  Please contact the Center for Advising and Academic Services to complete an official withdrawal/leave of absence form and then contact the Office of Student Financial Services to cancel your financial aid or complete a Title IV calculation, if eligible.  Please also notify the housing department if you have a housing arrangement and the Registrar for official transcripts, if necessary.  
• Please remember that a Federal Direct Loan is a loan, not a grant. You must repay the funds you borrow, plus interest and fees. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Financial Services.
• Studentaid.gov provides information on your federal loans including loan types, disbursed amounts, outstanding principal and interest, and the total amount of all your loans. 

Parents will be required to complete their Application & Master Promissory Note with the Department of Education. 
Please Note: There are 2 parts to the PLUS Loan Process.

• Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan: Runs the parents credit and gives the school information they need to create your Direct PLUS Loan. The parent does need to be credit approved in order to borrow this loan.
• Complete the Master Promissory Note: Is a legal document in which your promise to repay the loan and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).
• PLUS Counseling is required if the U.S. Department of Education has informed you that you have an adverse credit history and you have obtained an endorser or documented to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history.
• PLUS Counseling can be completed voluntarily at any time. If PLUS Counseling is completed voluntarily and you are determined to have an adverse credit history by the U.S. Department of Education within 30 days of PLUS Counseling completion, your PLUS Counseling requirement will be considered to be fulfilled.

Marist participates in the William D. Ford Direct Lending Program. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) rather than a bank or other financial institution. Marist policy states that the FAFSA must be completed before a Direct PLUS Loan can be awarded. This change will require all new borrowers to complete Master Promissory Notes with the Department of Education.

Direct PLUS Loans are unsubsidized loans for the parents of dependent students. PLUS loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance.  Parents of all income levels are eligible; however, regulations require a credit worthiness evaluation.

• Marist policy states that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be filed for that school year and the dependent student must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in order for Marist to certify the PLUS Loan.
• Borrowing limit is the Cost of Attendance minus any other aid.
• The Interest rate for the PLUS Loan is always fixed for the life of that loan. However, interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Please visit studentaid.gov for the most current interest rates. You may opt to have all payments deferred until after the student's graduation.
• All Direct Loans are subject to fees. Loan fees will be determined every October. The fees will be deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement. Disbursements are sent directly to Marist, two per loan period.
• PLUS Loan Increase Policy: If the credit check has not expired on an existing loan application, the parent can request an increase of their loan via email to sfsloancenter@marist.edu. The email must come from the parents email address listed on the initial application. If the credit has expired (over 180 days), parents should initiate a new application for the increased loan funds at studentaid.gov.
• Repayment begins 60 days after the 2nd disbursement with up to 10 years to repay depending on amount borrowed.  Parents who are interested in deferment for payments should contact their lender directly.
• Loan Forgiveness for the death or permanent disability of either the borrower or the student. (This is not available with Private Loan Financing)
• Studentaid.gov provides information on your federal loans including loan types, disbursed amounts, outstanding principal and interest, and the total amount of all your loans.  
• If you are borrowing Direct PLUS Loans for more than one student, you'll need to complete a separate MPN for each one.

Parent Eligibility Requirements for a Direct PLUS Loan

You must be the student's biological or adoptive parent or the student's stepparent, if the biological or adoptive parent has remarried at the time of application. Your child must be a dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program. For financial aid purposes, a student is considered "dependent" if he or she is under 24, unmarried, and has no legal dependents at the time the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is submitted. (Exceptions are made for veterans, wards of court, and other special circumstances.) If a student is considered dependent, then the income and the assets of the parent have to be reported on the FAFSA.

Marist participates in the William D. Ford Direct Lending Program. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. The FAFSA must be completed before a Direct Loan can be awarded.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

For the Direct Unsubsidized Loans, the student must be at least half time status and is responsible for interest payments while in school. (You have the option to defer payments of interest and principal until after you graduate.) The Interest rate for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan is always fixed for the life of that loan. However, interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Please visit www.studentloans.gov for the most current interest rates. Repayment begins six months after graduation, or after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time. Students are awarded a Direct Unsubsidized Loan if their FAFSA information determines they have no financial need.

Important Direct Loan Information:

• A student must be at least half time status (6 credits) at all times to be eligible for this loan
• If you complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) during your first semester at Marist you may not have to complete another application for 10 years, or until you enter another college.

The Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a promissory note under which you may receive multiple subsidized and unsubsidized loans over a maximum ten-year period.

All Direct Loans are subject to fees. The fees will be deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement. Disbursements are sent directly to Marist, two per loan period.

Direct Loan funds will be transferred electronically to your college account. These funds must be credited to your account in the Office of Student Financial Services within 3 days of disbursement to the college or your loan will be canceled and your funds returned to the Department of Education.

First-time borrowers of a Direct Loan must complete an entrance counseling session before you receive your loan. This ensures that you have received loan counseling and understand your responsibilities.

All borrowers of a Direct Loan must complete an exit counseling session prior to withdrawal, transfer, leave of absence, or graduation from the college. This ensures that you have received loan counseling and understand your rights and responsibilities.

If you choose to withdraw or take a leave of absence from Marist, you must notify the appropriate offices. Please contact the Center for Advising and Academic Services to complete an official withdrawal/leave of absence form and then contact the Office of Student Financial Services to cancel your financial aid or complete a Title IV calculation, if eligible. Please also notify the housing department if you have a housing arrangement and the Registrar for official transcripts, if necessary.

Please remember that a Federal Direct Loan is a loan, not a grant. You must repay the funds you borrow, plus interest and fees. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

The U.S. Department of Ed provides information on your federal loans including loan types, disbursed amount, original loan amount awarded and your Loan Servicer name and contact information at StudentAid.gov.

Your Federal Direct loan is automatically processed for the amount shown as part of your financial aid package, unless you notify the Office of Student Financial Services otherwise.

Please review the Federal Direct Loan Limits 

FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN APPLICATION PROCESS

First time Marist borrowers must complete the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note. Please click on the link below to access the direct lending site. Sign in using your FAFSA Username and Password to complete this requirement online.

Direct Loan Entrance Counseling/Master Promissory Note

Federal Direct Plus Loans for Graduate or Professional Students

Marist participates in the William D. Ford Direct Lending Program. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. Marist policy states that the FAFSA must be completed before a Direct Grad PLUS Loan can be processed. Students will be required to complete their Application & Master Promissory Note (MPN).  

The following must be completed on studentaid.gov to receive the Grad PLUS Loan: 

• PLUS Loan Application: Runs the student’s credit and gives the school information to create your Direct PLUS Loan. Students need to be credit-approved to take this loan.  
• Master Promissory Note for Graduate/Professional Students: The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the Department of Education.  
• Graduate PLUS Loan Entrance Counseling: This is a federal requirement and will inform you of your rights and responsibilities as a borrower under the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program. 

Important Direct Loan Information: 

• The borrowing limit is the Cost of Attendance minus any other aid.  
• Current Interest rates can be found on studentaid.gov. Interest rates will be determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Each loan will have a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. You can opt to have all payments deferred until after graduation. 
• All Direct Loans are subject to fees. The fees will be deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement. Disbursements are sent directly to Marist, two per loan period. For information on the fees, please visit studentaid.gov. 
• PLUS Loan Increase Policy: If the credit check has not expired on an existing loan application, the student can request an increase of their loan via email to sfsloancenter@marist.edu . The email must come from the student’s Marist email account. If the credit has expired (over 180 days), the student should initiate a new application for the increased loan funds at studentaid.gov.   
• Direct Loans are typically divided into equal disbursements for each aid year. You may review your myMarist portal for the semester installment amounts of your loans. After classes begin (typically after the add/drop period), your loans will be posted to your Student Account. To be eligible for federal loan disbursement, you must initiate attendance, be enrolled at least half-time, and meeting satisfactory academic progress All outstanding financial aid requests related to eligibility must be received as indicated on your myMarist, financial aid account. When your loan is disbursed, you will receive a disbursement notification. For returns to the lender, send an email request to sfsloancenter@marist.edu. 

Apply for a PLUS Loan for Graduate or Professional Students: https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/grad/landing 

MPN for Direct PLUS Loan: https://studentaid.gov/mpn/grad/landing 

To help students and their families evaluate their lender options, Marist utilizes ELM Select, a website that provides comparative information on lenders and their loan products. Marist offers the following lenders below for our private loan options. Marist chooses to participate in a preferred lender arrangement with each lender so we may better assist our students and families in a more personal fashion.  Marist chooses these lenders based on their commitment to the industry, payment and origination or other fees on behalf of the borrower, highly competitive interest rates and terms and conditions, high quality servicing customer service and additional competitive borrower benefits for the student.  The choice of a lender is not in any way limited to Marist's suggested list. If students and their parents choose another lender, they will not be penalized in any way for selecting the lender of their choice.

Private loans are available to assist students in paying for Marist. The maximum amount you may borrow on an private loan each academic year per student is the cost of attendance minus other financial aid received. For most private loans the lender requires the student to be at least 18 years of age. A credit check is required and income verification may also be required for certain lenders. 

Federal Regulation as of February 2010*
Federal regulations now require the completion of the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form for all private education loans. The lender MUST receive the signed form from all students borrowing from the alternative loan program before they will approve/disburse the loan.  Please complete this form accordingly and mail it to your lender of choice. 

Marist does not endorse or recommend the below mentioned lenders.  

Student Private Loans

Loan Disclosures can be viewed in the Borrower Benefits section of the ELM Select lender list page, by clicking the link below.

Lender Name	Loan Disclosures
Citizens Bank	Citizens Bank Citizens Bank Loan Disclosures Citizens Bank is not an affiliate of the other lenders on the list
College Ave Student Loans	College Ave Student Loan Disclosures College Ave is not an affiliate of the other lenders on the list
Sallie Mae	Sallie Mae Loan Disclosures Sallie Mae is not an affiliate of the other lenders on the list
SoFi	SoFi Loan Disclosures SoFi is not an affiliate of the other lenders on the list

To select a lender and complete the Master Promissory Note, please click the link below and you will be directed to ELM Select. When you log onto ELM Select, select your program and review the disclosures. To access Marist's suggested lender list, click "View Loans."

Private Loan Lender List/Application

Responsible Borrowing Video by Federal StudentAid

 

Financial Literacy:

• NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System): 

• Adventures in Education

• Sallie Mae Education Investment Planner

Repayment Video:
What to Expect by Federal StudentAid 

  Repayment Video:
  How to Manage Your Student Loans by Federal StudentAid

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Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling and Repayment Information:

•  Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling
•  Completion of the Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling is a federal regulation. Exit Counseling must be completed if you withdraw, graduate, drop below half-time attendance, or if you transfer to another school.  It will assist you in understanding your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower and provides useful tips and information to help you manage your loans.

•  Exit Counseling Guide 

Loan Forgiveness Information:

•  Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program 

•  Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application