Federal Direct Loan

• $5,500 for freshman status
  (Less than 30 earned credit hours)
  
  
• $6,500 for sophomore status
  (30+ earned credit hours)

• $9,500 for freshman status
  (Less than 30 earned credit hours)
  
  
• $10,500 for sophomore status
  (30+ earned credit hours)

• This is a loan and you must repay the funds with interest.
• You must repay the total loan, including loan fees that may be deducted before your loan is disbursed to you.
• If you need to borrow funds for college, it is recommended that you borrow only what you need for your education.
• You may only use your loan to pay for expenses related to your education such as tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment, childcare, commuting costs (does not allow for the purchase or lease of a vehicle), food and housing expenses.
• Enrollment changes (such as adding or dropping classes) and other financial aid (such as scholarships) may affect your loan eligibility.
• You must submit all required documents and your loan must be certified by the Financial Aid Office prior to your last date of half-time enrollment (at least six credit hours) for the loan period you are requesting.
• You will only receive loan disbursements if your enrollment status and attendance are at least half-time (at least six credit hours) and your academic standing meets the guidelines set forth in the EICC Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
• If you are enrolled in sessions that do not comprise a total semester (such as 12-week or 8-week classes), you may have reduced loan eligibility and different disbursement dates.

Yes, you must repay the total loan amount plus interest. For interest rate information, click here.

• The interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan is paid by the government while you are enrolled in school at least half-time, while the loan is in deferment, or during certain periods of income driven repayment.
• The interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan begins to accrue upon disbursement. It is strongly recommended that you pay your interest while in school.

• All student loans will be disbursed in two payments. If your loan period is for both the fall and spring semesters, your second disbursement will not be disbursed until the spring semester. If your loan period is only for one semester, your second disbursement will be made approximately mid-term of that semester.
• The earliest date financial aid refunds will be issued is approximately four weeks after the start of the semester. 
  • All first-time borrowers have a mandatory 30-day waiting period before they receive their first disbursement. The earliest date financial aid refunds will be issued to first-time borrowers is approximately six weeks after the semester begins.

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receive a Financial Aid Offer letter from EICC indicating your eligibility for Federal Direct Loans.
• Accept or decline your loans 
  • Log in to EICConnect and click on Self-Service.
  • Click on Financial Aid
  • Navigate to the “My Awards” page. 
  • From the “My Awards” page, you can accept, decline, or reduce your loan amounts.
• All borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling at studentaid.gov.
• All student loan recipients are required by the Department of Education to complete exit counseling shortly before graduating, transferring from, or leaving EICC. You must complete this requirement during your LAST semester of attendance at EICC. You may complete this requirement at studentaid.gov.