Types of Federal Direct Loans
Federal Direct Loan interest rates are established annually by Congress and may change each July 1. Students should visit StudentAid.gov to view the current interest rates and loan fees before borrowing.

1) Subsidized Loans – interest free for a certain time period.

The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan…

• while the student is in school at least half-time,
• for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period*), and
• during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).

2) Unsubsidized Loans – interest bearing.

• The student is responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods.

**In order to be eligible for a student loan, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours in the student’s degree program and be meeting the standards of academic progress.**

**Per federal regulations, a first-time college student is subject to a 30-day waiting period before loans are allowed to be disbursed.**

**Students can access their loan information at www.studentaid.gov.**

Applying for a Student Loan

• Submit the FAFSA application for the aid year you wish to attend at www.studentaid.gov.
• Complete all unsatisfied requirements on your MyNACC account.
• Once the award is complete (student will receive notification), you must accept your student loan on your MyNACC account.
• Once you have completed the steps above, go to www.studentaid.gov.
  
  1) Complete the Entrance Counseling
  (Choose Undergraduate Student & Northeast Alabama Community College)
  
  2) Complete the Master Promissory Note (Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan)
  (Choose Undergraduate Student)
  
  

How to Accept, Modify, or Decline a Student Loan

Click here for instructions on how to accept, modify, or decline a student loan on your MyNACC account or view the video below.

EXIT COUNSELING

Who should complete exit counseling?
Students who have received subsidized, unsubsidized, or PLUS loans under the Direct Loan Program, must complete exit counseling each time the student drops below half-time enrollment, graduates, or leaves school.

Where do you complete exit counseling?
To complete exit counseling, go to www.studentaid.gov and select "Manage Loans" and "Complete Exit Counseling". Click here to watch a quick tutorial on how to complete Exit Counseling.
 

Click here for additional information before accepting a loan.