Federal Direct Loan
Back to Financial Aid Programs
Federal Student Loans Basic for Students PDF
What types of Federal Direct Student loans are available?
Los Angeles Trade Technical College started offering the Federal Direct loan programs since fall of 2010. The student loan programs are available to students whose financial aid awards are insufficient to cover the cost of their educational expenses. Unlike grants, work-study or scholarships, a loan must be repaid with interest by the student borrower to the lender of the loan. Students who plan to transfer are advised to consider borrowing student loans after they transfer to a four-year university if possible.Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) are loans borrowed directly from the federal government which serves as the lender. The student’s annual borrowing limit may vary based upon the following:
- The amount of unmet need after other financial assistance has been considered;
- The applicant’s grade level in their academic program;
- The applicant’s current level of indebtedness;
- The applicant’s academic progress;
- The applicant’s previous delinquent or defaulted loan history.
What is the difference between a subsidized and an unsubsidized loan?
How do I apply for Direct Student Loan?
Please go to lattc.verifymyfafsa.com to request a Direct Student Loan
Students must complete the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need according to the federal formula in order to be eligible for subsidized direct loans. These loans are processed through the U.S. Department of Education. Under this program, the federal government will pay the interest on behalf of qualified borrowers for as long as the borrower is enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program. Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress every semester to remain eligible.
Information regarding annual and aggregate loan limits may be found at www.studentloans.gov.
Fees may be charged by the U.S. Department of Education and deducted from each loan disbursement. Interest may be charged during the 6-month grace period, after a student drops below half-time, completes their educational program, or withdraws from college.
Interest rates are set by the U.S. Department of Education and are fixed rates for the term of the loan.
Eligibility for the Unsubsidized Direct Loan is not based on a family’s demonstrated need. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender under this program. The government does not pay the interest on behalf of borrowers under the Unsubsidized Direct Loan Program. The student borrower can choose either to make periodic payments of the interest or to have the interest added back into the principal of each loan.
Fees may be charged by the U.S. Department of Education and deducted from each loan disbursement.
Interest rates are set by the U.S. Department of Education and are fixed rates for the term of the loan.
A creditworthy parent of a dependent undergraduate can apply for Federal PLUS loan. Federal PLUS loans are not based on demonstrated need and may be used to replace all or portions of the calculated family contribution for students who completed a FAFSA.
Not all colleges participate in PLUS loans.
Contact the Financial Aid Office to learn about loan programs that are offered at your specific college and for details about interest rates, fees, repayment terms, etc.
Before you receive a Federal Direct Loan, you will need to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) which is your legally binding promise to repay the loan funds you receive. The college will not disburse your Federal Direct Loan until your MPN has been signed/e-signed and approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Students can complete their Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at www.studentloans.gov. Students will need to have a valid signed/e-signed Direct Loan MPN while attending college. This generally needs to be signed/e-signed once every 10 years.
ENTRANCE LOAN COUNSELING FOR FIRST-TIME BORROWERS
All first-time Federal Direct borrowers must complete loan entrance counseling, even if they have borrowed at a previous institution. Entrance counseling for direct loans can be completed online at www.studentloans.gov
EXIT LOAN COUNSELING
All borrowers of Federal Direct Loan funds are required to have an exit interview during their final semester, if their enrollment status drops below half-time, or if they withdraw from the college. Students will be notified when Exit Loan Counseling needs to be completed.
Contact information for the FSA Student Loan Ombudsman
Effective February 28, 2016, please use the following information to contact the FSA Student Loan Ombudsman Group.
Via on-line assistance: StudentAid.Gov - Prepare
| Contact | Number |
|---|---|
| Via telephone: | (877) 557-2575 |
| Via fax: | (606) 396-4821 |
| Via mail: | FSA Ombudsman Group P.O. Box 1843 Monticello, KY 42633 |
NSLDS Disclosure
Please note that any loan borrowed by the student or parent will be submitted to the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
NOTE
Repayment Information
Applying for Federal Direct Loans is available only for those students whose financial aid applications have been processed and they have received their award letter at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 units) financial aid eligible units to apply for a loan.
Code of Conduct for Education Loans
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) requires institutions of higher education participating in the administration of educational loan programs to develop and publish a Code of Conduct. Any LATTC employee who has responsibilities with respect to student educational loans is required to comply with this Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct prohibits us from:
- Entering into any revenue-sharing arrangement with any lender
- Receiving gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or a loan servicer
- Contracting arrangement providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender
- Directing borrowers to particular lenders or refusing or delaying loan certifications from lenders
- Offering of funds for private loans
- Providing call center or financial aid office staffing assistance
- Accepting advisory board compensation
*This Code of Conduct pertains to any alternative/private loans