Federal Direct Stafford Loans

“What is a Student Loan?”  A student loan is money that is borrowed from the federal government, private sources, or other organizations to pay for college. LOANS MUST BE REPAID WITH INTEREST (additional money the student must pay as a cost of borrowing money). Interest is calculated as a percentage of the original loan amount.

 

How To Apply

1. Meet the following minimum requirements:

a)  Have a completed financial aid file in Satisfactory, Warning or Probation Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status.

b)  Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units of non-remedial/non-ESL coursework.

2. Come into the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility and pick up a loan questionnaire.

a)  Complete and submit your loan questionnaire to receive an instruction slip.

b)  The Federal Government requires participation in loan Entrance Counseling and a signed Master Promissory Note prior to receiving a student loan. Refer to the instruction slip to determine if you need to complete the EC, MPN, or both.

Select EC or MPN below for further instructions

EC (Entrance Counseling)

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.

To complete the EC:

  • Go to 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
  • Remember to Logout when you’re finished

** Helpful Tip **
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/loginto 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.

MPN (Master Promissory Note)

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. 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. Read all instructions carefully. Keep printouts of your confirmation pages and MPN in the event that proof of completion is requested.

To complete the MPN:

  • Go to 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
  • Remember to Logout when you’re finished

** Helpful Tip **
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/loginto 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.

Need help completing the online loan application process? 
Visit the Financial Aid Computer Lab in LI-123 for assistance!


After You Apply

  • Fresno City College will receive the results of your EC and/or MPN electronically. You do not need to return copies to the office.
  • Keep copies of your results in the event that the electronic results are not submitted properly.
  • After completing the above steps please allow up to four weeks processing time, after which you will receive your loan award notification 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


Spring 2025 Loan Payment Calendar

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

Loans Eligibility Entrance Counseling/MPN Due Payment Date
2024-2025 academic year (for continuing borrowers with a high EFC) 01/02/2025 01/16/2025
2024-2025 academic year (for continuing borrowers with a high EFC) 01/15/2025 01/30/2025
Any amount 02/04/2025 02/20/2025
Any amount 02/27/2025 03/13/2025
Any amount 03/20/2025 04/03/2025
Any amount 04/10/2025 04/24/2025
Any amount 05/02/2025 05/15/2025

Please Note: For the Spring 2025 semester, the last day to turn in your Direct Loan Questionnaire and complete entrance counseling/MPN is May 2nd, 2025.

**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.


Managing Your Federal Student Loan

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.

Contact the Department of Education directly for questions regarding your rights and responsibilities or the terms and conditions of your loan:

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


Payment Help

Having trouble making your loan payment?  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 offers more information

IonTuition (a third-party servicer under the requirements defined by the U.S. Department of Education).
The IonTuition portal helps borrowers manage the repayment of federal and private student loans through a single, user-friendly platform. IonTuition users receive guidance from self-service planning tools and live counselors to find repayment plans that work for them, including income-driven options. IonTuition monitors your repayment and will notify you of any critical changes, so you can relax and know that you're on the best possible path to eliminating your student loan debt.