Entrance Counseling, Exit Counseling, Loan Consolidation, and More
If you have borrowed federal student loans, it’s important to understand your rights, responsibilities, and the resources available to you to help you manage your student loans. Most importantly, remember these are loans and they must be repaid, so borrow only what you need.
Please refer to the following links to help you better understand your commitments as a student loan borrower.
Entrance Counseling
During entrance counseling, you will learn about the following:
- What a Direct Loan is and how the loan process works
- Managing your education expenses
- Other financial resources to consider to help pay for your education
- Your rights and responsibilities as a borrower
Exit Counseling
Exit counseling is required by law. It provides important information you’ll need as you prepare to repay your federal student loan(s). You’ll learn how to understand and repay your loans, how to avoid default, and how to make your finances a priority.
Loan Repayment Options
The Office of Federal Student Aid helps students Find the right repayment plan for you, learn how to make payments, get help if you can’t afford your payments, and see what circumstances might result in a loan being forgiven, canceled, or discharged.
Loan Consolidation
If you have multiple student loans you may be able to combine them into one loan with a fixed interest rate based on the average of the interest rates on the loans being consolidated. The Office of Federal Student Aid offers information and guidance about loan consolidation.
National Student Loan Data System
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) central database for student aid. Use NSLDS to stay on top of how much you owe, view the repayment terms of your loans, find monthly payment amounts, and more.
Aggregate Loan Limits
There are annual and aggregate limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans.