Loans

In order to qualify for federal loans, students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits or more) when their aid is disbursed. Students who plan to attend summer session may also be eligible for grants, loans or work-study.

The Department of Education limits the amount of federal loans students may borrow each year and over their lifetime. Three types of federal loans are available to students or their parents. Each has different interest rates and repayment terms.

• Direct Loans (Subsidized or Unsubsidized)
• PLUS Loans (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students)
• Private Loans

Loan counseling and the MPN can be processed at https://studentloans.gov.

• Direct Loans: Offered by the federal government or a third-party lender, Stafford Loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized.

  • Subsidized loans The Department of Education pays the interest:
    • While you are enrolled at least half time
    • First six months after you leave school (grace period)
    • During a period of deferment
  • Unsubsidized loans You are responsible for paying interest on this loan during all periods. Students may choose to pay interest while attending school so that it doesn’t increase the principal balance.

  Interest rate
  The interest rate for undergraduate students whose subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford Loan is disbursed on or after July 1, 2017 through July 1, 2018 is fixed at 4.45%.
  
  Any loan with a first disbursement date on or after Oct. 1,2016 and before Oct. 1, 2017 has a loan fee of 1.069%. Any loan with a first disbursement date on or after Oct. 1 2017 has a loan fee of 1.066%.

• Six-credit minimum
  Each of these loan programs have a six-month grace period if a student drops below six credits (half-time) -- an important consideration when withdrawing from courses. If you withdraw and are enrolled in less than six credits, your grace period will begin.

  • Circumstances that may change your grace period include the following:
    Active duty military—If you are called to active military duty for more than 30 days before the end of your grace period, you will receive the full six-month grace period when you return from active duty.
  • Returning to school before the end of your loan’s grace period—If you reenroll in school at least half-time before the end of your grace period, you will receive the full six-month grace period when you stop attending school or drop below half-time enrollment (other conditions apply).
  • Loan consolidation—If you consolidate your loans during your grace period, you will give up the remainder of your grace period and begin repayment after your Direct Consolidation Loan is disbursed (paid out). Your first bill will be due approximately two months after the Direct Consolidation Loan is disbursed.

• Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are for parents whose children are enrolled at an approved educational institution at least half-time (six credits).

  • The maximum loan amount is based on the student’s other financial aid and the cost of attendance.
  • Interest accrues and payments are required from the time the loan is made until it is paid off.
  • You must not have an adverse credit history

  The interest rate for parents whose PLUS Loan is disbursed on or after July 1, 2017 and before July 1, 2018 is fixed at 7.00%.
  
  Any loan with a first disbursement date on or after Oct 1, 2016 and before Oct 1, 2017 has a loan fee of 4.276%. Any loan with a first disbursement date on or after 10/1/17 and before 10/1/18 has a loan fee of 4.264%.

• Before applying for a private loan, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if they are eligible for federal financial aid.

  Eligibility for private loans is based on the eligibility of a borrower and/or co-signer. Private loans may have higher interest rates than federal loans and should only be considered as a borrowing option after all federal loan eligibility has been exhausted. Selecting a private lender is the responsibility of the student. Anoka-Ramsey makes a private loan search tool - FASTChoice (link is already on the page) available to students to compare loan options for a number of lenders so that they can choose the loan that fits their needs. Anoka-Ramsey Community College does not endorse any one lender; a student may choose any private loan lender they would like. The lenders listed on the FASTChoice website are lenders who have most commonly provided private loans to Anoka-Ramsey students over the past three years.
  
  Under the Truth in Lending Act rules, private education loans are subject to self-certification, three consumer disclosures at specific times in the application process, and at least a three day delay in disbursement. Due to the number of steps involved in the private loan application process, applicants should allow a minimum of 3 weeks for processing.
  
  This information is intended to be accurate, but the publisher does not assume liability for errors or omissions.