Please read all the information below before beginning your Entrance Counseling (EC) or Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Continuing your education is a major investment in your future. If you decide to make loans a part of this investment, managing the amount of debt you incur is a major responsibility. To ensure that you understand this responsibility, and the obligations that you are assuming, the Federal Government requires you to participate in loan Entrance Counseling (EC) and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to receiving a Direct Stafford Student Loan. Below you will find the loan application guidelines and instructions for Fresno City College.

Applying for a Federal Direct Stafford Student Loan at Fresno City College

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Have a completed financial aid file in OK, Warning or Probation Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status
• Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units of non-remedial/non-ESL coursework

Application Process

Step #1: Determine eligibility and needs

1. Before you complete the MPN and/or EC, you must come into the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility. 
2. After completing the Loan Questionnaire, follow the steps below:

• • Refer to the instruction slip you received in the Financial Aid Office after submitting your Loan Questionnaire to determine if you need to complete the EC, MPN, or both.
  • You will need your FSA ID to complete the EC and MPN online. If you have forgotten your username or password visit www.studentaid.gov/login to find links that give you the option of retrieving your username or password through your verified e-mail address or by successfully answering your challenge questions.
  • Read all instructions carefully. Keep printouts of your confirmation pages and MPN in the event that proof of completion is requested.
  • If required to complete the MPN, you must provide the name, address and phone number for two references. Please have this information with you before beginning your MPN.
  • If you need help with completing the online loan application process, you may visit the Financial Aid Computer Lab in LI-123 for assistance.

Step #2: Entrance Counseling (EC)

Entrance Counseling is a requirement that provides you with all the information you need to know about the terms and conditions of the loan, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. Follow the instructions below to complete the EC:

• Go to www.StudentAid.gov/entrance-counseling and click "Log in to start"
• After signing in, click the link "Loan Entrance Counseling"
• Under entrance counseling, click on the "Start" Button
• Select your State and School from the drop down boxes, click "Continue"
• Complete all Entrance Counseling Modules
• Read and follow all instructions carefully

Step #3: Master Promissory Note (MPN)

The MPN is a legal binding document. When signed, it signifies your understanding of the rights and responsibilities, your acceptance of the terms and conditions of the loan, and your agreement to repay. Follow the instructions below to complete the MPN:

• Go to www.StudentAid.gov/mpn and click "Log in to Start"
• After signing in, update "School Information" select school state, and then type in "Search School by Name" click "continue"
• Add two new references, click "continue"
• Read and follow all instructions carefully

After you have finished the online process…

• Remember to Logout.
• Fresno City College will receive the results of your Entrance Counseling quiz and/or MPN electronically. You do not need to return copies to the office.
• Keep copies of your quiz and MPN results in the event that the electronic results are not submitted properly.
• Please allow up to four weeks processing time after completing both steps. You will receive loan award notification by email.

Please Note: Fresno City College has the right to reduce or deny loans on a case-by-case basis for students, including those on warning or probation status, or at high-risk for default.

Loan Disbursement Date Chart

Refer to the charts below to determine your anticipated disbursement date (your actual disbursement date will be verified on your loan award notification). The disbursement date is determined by the date that you complete your EC and/or MPN requirements:

Please Note: For the Fall 2024 semester, the last day to turn in your Direct Loan Questionnaire and complete entrance counseling/MPN is November 22, 2024.

**EC results must be transmitted to Fresno City College and your MPN received and processed by the Direct Loans Servicing Center by the deadline indicated above in order to receive payment on the corresponding date. To ensure that your results are received and processed in time, you should complete the required steps prior to 5:00 PM PST on the deadline date.

For additional loan counseling, please follow these steps:**

1. Create an account at cashcourse.org.
2. Under Financial Tools, create a budget using their Budget Wizard. Please fill out the budget as accurately as you can. (Make sure to divide Pell and other grant amounts by 12 to get the correct monthly amount.) Once your budget is completed, click "Download as Excel" and print the Excel sheet, changing the "No Scaling" button to "Fit All Columns on One Page."
3. Under Financial Tools, go to Financial Calculators, complete "Will I be able to pay off my loans?" and print the result.
4. Attach a copy of your Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (SEP-C). If you need to complete a SEP-C, contact the counseling department.
5. Attach a typed, double-spaced page answering the following questions:
   • What is your requested loan amount?
   • If over the loan maximum, what are the circumstances that have resulted in the accumulation of your student loan debt?
   • If requesting additional unsubsidized loan, what are your financial plans to continue your education in the future semesters without exceeding the loan maximum?
   • What are your educational financial plans to ensure successful repayment of your student loan debt?

Managing your Federal Student Loans

Managing your federal student loan debt is a major responsibility, but there are many resources out there to help you along the way. Whether you are still in school at least half-time or have already left school, it is important to stay on top of your student loan debt obligations. Do you know who your lender is? What is your interest rate? What if you can't make your loan payment? Below you will find various resources to help answer these questions and more.

Loan Resources

The National Student Loan Data System Using your FSA ID you can access your entire loan history
including balances, interest rates, and lender contact information.

Federal Student Aid Loans Access general loan information as well as copies of your MPN and loan correspondence.

US Department of Education

ATT: Applicant Services
P.O. Box 9002
Niagara Falls, NY 14302
Phone: 1.800.557.7394
Email: codsupport@acs-inc.com
Contact the Department of Education directly for questions regarding your rights and
responsibilities or the terms and conditions of your loan.

Payment Help

Having trouble making your loan payment? Don't ignore your loan payment in the hopes that it will go away. It is a federal debt that must be repaid! If you are unable to make your loan payments, there are options out there for you to reduce or postpone your payments temporarily until you are back on your feet. Federal Student Aid website.