Student Loan Information

---

Some students will need to borrow a student loan to help pay their bill at OLLU. Student loans are a vital component of the financial aid package. This form of aid may assist in paying for everything from tuition to books. There are various types of student loans, some of which you may be eligible for depending on your financial need. 

The OLLU Financial Aid Office automatically awards each student a federal direct loan. Students have the right to accept or cancel the loan if they do not need the loan. 

Below are the types of loans available to students:

Federal Loans

The amount of loan funds you can receive depends on your dependency status as determined by the FAFSA, and whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. Please refer to the Financial Aid Data Form for the maximum yearly amounts you are eligible to borrow. 

In order to qualify for a Federal Direct Loan, you must meet the following criteria:

• Must be enrolled at least half-time; half-time for undergraduate students is six hours; half-time for graduate/professional students is three hours
• Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

Federal Direct Loan 

All students, regardless of income, may be eligible for a Federal Direct Loan.  There are two types of Federal Direct Loans:

Direct Subsidized Loan

This is a need-based, low-interest loan in which the interest is paid by the federal government as long as the borrower is in school at least half-time or in periods of deferment. 

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

This loan is not a need-based loan, and the borrower is charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Students have the option to pay the interest quarterly or have the interest capitalized at repayment.

Applying for the Federal Direct Loan

• First-Time Borrowers must complete a Loan Entrance Counseling before their loan proceeds can be disbursed at www.studentaid.gov .
• Students must also complete an Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN) at www.studentaid.gov . 

Federal Parent PLUS Loan

A Federal Parent PLUS Loan allows a parent to borrow the total cost of undergraduate education for their student minus any other financial aid their student may be receiving. Repayment begins after the loan is fully disbursed, although parents may choose to postpone repayment until after their student graduates. To qualify for this loan, a parent must not have adverse credit. Adverse credit is defined as having no more than two delinquencies on any debt longer than 90 days.

To apply for a Parent PLUS Loan

• Parents will need their Department of Education PIN (the same PIN used for the FAFSA).
• Parents must complete a Parent PLUS Direct Loan Application at www.studentaid.gov . 
  • They will need the student's social security number and their own social security number, date of birth, driver's license number and two personal references (full name, address, and phone numbers)
• If the application is approved, parent must complete and submit an Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN) at www.studentaid.gov .

Graduate Direct PLUS Loan

A Graduate Direct PLUS Loan allows graduate/professional students to borrow up to their cost of attendance minus any other financial aid they receive. To qualify for this loan, a student must not have adverse credit. Adverse credit is defined as a borrower not having been delinquent on any two debts longer than 90 days. 

To apply for a Graduate Direct PLUS Loan

• Student must complete Graduate Direct PLUS Loan application at www.studentaid.gov .
• First-Time Borrowers must complete a loan entrance counseling before their loan proceeds can be disbursed at www.studentaid.gov .
• Students must also complete an Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN) for the Graduate PLUS Loan at www.studentaid.gov .

The Financial Aid Office will be informed of the credit decision electronically. If the loan is approved, the Financial Aid Office will award the Grad PLUS Loan to you. If the loan is denied, you have the option of applying for a private student loan or finding a Grad PLUS Loan endorser (co-borrower). 

Federal Loan Counseling Requirements 

Loan Entrance Counseling 

Students who receive funding through the Federal Direct Loan program must complete loan entrance counseling before receiving the first loan disbursement. This quick and easy interactive counseling session provides useful tips and tools to help you develop a budget for managing your educational expenses and helps you understand your loan responsibilities. Visit the Federal Student Aid website to complete the loan entrance counseling. 

Loan Exit Counseling

Prior to graduating, transferring or dropping below half-time status, all federal loan recipients must complete loan exit counseling. The counseling session provides information regarding student loan management after college. Visit the Federal Student Aid website  to complete the loan exit counseling.

State Loans

College Access Loan (CAL)

The College Access Loan program provides alternative educational loans to Texas students who are unable to meet the cost of attendance. Students do not have to demonstrate financial need. However, the amount of federal aid for which students are eligible (regardless of whether actually accepted) must be deducted from the cost of attendance in determining the CAL loan amount. 

Student Eligibility Requirements

• Be a Texas resident
• Be enrolled at least half-time in a course of study leading to an associate's, bachelor's, master's or higher degree
•  Meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the institution
• Receive a favorable credit evaluation or provide a cosigner who has a good credit standing and meets other requirements

For more information, visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website. 

Private Loans

A private loan is a credit-based loan that allows a student to borrow the remaining need after financial aid is processed. This loan should be a student's last resort to obtain funding for their college education. A private loan usually carries a much higher interest rate than the Federal Direct Loans. A student will more than likely need a co-borrower to qualify for private loans. 

To apply for a private student loan

• Choose a lender from the link below
• Complete the Private Education Loan Self-Certification Form and mail it to your lender
• Follow the steps on the lender's website to perform your credit check and sign your application.

Visit the ELMSelect website to select a vendor and apply for a private loan. 

The Financial Aid Office will be informed of the lender's credit decision electronically. If the loan is approved, the Financial Aid Office will award the private student loan to you. If the loan is denied, you have the option of re-applying for a loan with a creditworthy co-borrower.