Direct Loans are available for you to borrow to offset your tuition and assist you with any educational related expenses. The loans are made through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Below are Direct Loan Programs that are offered at Santa Ana College:
Direct Subsidized Loan
The amount awarded is based on your financial need. Interest is charged during the life of the loan, including the time you are in school less than half-time, during the grace period, and during eligible periods of deferment. The only exception that the interest is waived is while you are enrolled in college on at least half-time basis (6 units). To be eligible for Subsidized Loan, you must be enrolling in 6 approved units.
All first-time borrowers can only borrow Direct Subsidized Loan up to 150% of the length of the borrower's published educational program. A first-time borrower is defined as someone who did not have an outstanding balance on a Direct Loan or on an FFEL Program Loan
See
Direct Subsidized Loan Time Limitation for more info.
Direct Unsubsidized Loan
This loan is not based on your financial need. Dependent students are eligible to borrow up to $2,000 of an unsubsidized loan. However, if you are a dependent student and you are not eligible for a subsidized loan, you may borrow up to $5,500 of an unsubsidized loan. Interest is charged during the life of the loan, including the time you are in school, during the grace period, and during eligible periods of deferment. To be eligible for Unsubsidized Loan, you must be enrolling in 6 approved units.
DIRECT LOAN LIMITS
Direct Subsidized
| Up to $3,500
| Up to $4,500
|
|---|
Direct Unsubsidized
| Up to $6,000
| Up to $6,000
|
|---|
To apply for Federal Direct Student Loan for the 2024-25 school year, you must complete and satisfy the following by May 16, 2025:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Submit all forms and documents requested by our office.
Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or, if not, submit an appeal and get an approval from the Appeal Committee. Click SAP Policy for details.
Must be enrolled in at least 6 approved units per semester.
Complete a Student Loan Entrance Counseling online at
www.studentloans.gov
Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) if you are a first-time borrower. Returning borrower does not need to complete another MPN if your previous MPN is still good - log on
www.studentloans.gov to check for the expiration date.
Complete and submit a Direct Loan Request Form here: 2024/2025 Federal Direct Student Loan Request Form.
All student loan borrowers must complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and the Student Loan Entrance Counseling online at
www.studentloans.gov before submitting the loan request form to our office for processing. The deadline to submit a loan request form and all required documents for loan processing for Fall 2024 is 11/15/2024, and for Spring 2025 is 5/16/2025. If you have turned in a loan request but have not turned in all required documents for loan processing by the deadlines, we will assume that you have changed your mind and your Direct Loan Request will be canceled.
Student Loan Exit Counseling is also required and must be completed after your last loan disbursement and/or before the academic year ends. Exit Counseling can be done online at
www.studentloans.gov.
