Student Loan Resources - getting started

The Student Loan process can be thought of in four main steps:College student.

  1. Preparing for and Education about Student Loans
  2. Applying for Student Loans
  3. Using Student Loans
  4. Consolidated and Repaying Student Loans

Each step is important, and should be considered, planned for and reviewed prior to obtaining student loans.

To get started, click on any of the links below to learn more about each step.

1. Preparation and Education

  1. The Guide to Federal Student Aid 2007-08 - Federal Student Aid's Guide 2007-08.
  2. Student Aid on the Web - the U.S. Dept. of Educations web site for financial aid.
  3. Students.gov - U.S. Government web site for college students and their families.
  4. ED.gov - U.S. Department of Education web site.
  5. StudentJobs.gov - U.S. Government employment for students.
  6. Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 - important changes starting 7/1/2006.

2. Applying for Student Loans

  1. The Guide to Federal Student Aid 2007-08 - Federal Student Aid's Guide 2007-08.
  2. MyFSA - A personal, online, secure "portfolio" of your Federal Student Aid info.
  3. Federal Student Aid PIN Web Site - Obtain a Federal Student Aid PIN.
  4. Federal Student Aid FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
  5. FAFSA4caster - A new tool to estimate eligibility for federal student aid.
  6. FAFSA Worksheet (pdf) - Worksheet to help you complete FAFSA on the web.
  7. Completing the FAFSA - publication on "how to" complete the FAFSA.
  8. SAR (Student Aid Report) - info regarding your FAFSA result.
  9. Federal Student Aid Forms - Federal Student Aids' forms page.
  10. Financial Aid Deadlines - Federal, State and School Financial Aid Deadlines.

3. Receiving and using your Student Loans

  1. The Guide to Federal Student Aid 2007-08 - Federal Student Aid's Guide 2007-08.
  2. College Savings Calculator - Online Savings tool by Federal Student Aid.
  3. Understanding borrower responsibilities - Information from Sallie Mae.
  4. Managing your student loans: Student Loans Entrance/Exit Counseling - An excellent publication from Bank of America. (pdf)

4. Consolidating and Repaying your Student Loans

  1. The Guide to Federal Student Aid 2007-08 - Federal Student Aid's Guide 2007-08.
  2. Repaying Your Student Loans - Information from Federal Student Aid. (pdf)
  3. Loan Consolidation - Link to Federal Student Aid's Consolidation Information.
  4. Consolidating your student loans - Sallie Mae's consolidation services.
  5. NSLDS Student Access - U.S. Dept. of Education's database of Student Aid.