Whatcom Community College
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Federal Student Loan for September 2023 through August 2024 (current quarter)
If you are a current financial aid student interested in applying for a federal student loan for Summer Quarter 2024, part of the 2023-2024 academic year (fall 2023 through summer 2024). You can proceed once you receive a financial aid email notification regarding your ability to apply for a federal student loan OR an award notification indicating your FAFSA application has been reviewed and your grant aid has been awarded. You must be enrolled for at least half-time (6 credits) for Summer Quarter 2024 (current quarter). The processing of your 2023-2024 federal student loans may take up 2 to 3 weeks and you will receive a confirmation email once your loan has been processed.
Federal Student Loan for September 2024 through August 2025 (not yet available)
The 2024-2025 loan cycle (starting fall 2024) is not available yet, we expect the process to be available in early August 2024. Do not attempt to complete the following loan process as it for the current quarter and aid year.
1. Additional Federal Student Loan Information
Click here for information regarding interest rates, borrowing amounts and levels.
2. Federal Direct Student Loan Entrance Counseling
Complete the counseling session at https://studentaid/gov/entrance-counseling/ if you have not yet done so previously, all borrowers are required to complete this one time. This step can take 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Using your FSA ID, click the “Log In” button and complete the “Entrance Counseling.” Return here when completed for Step 3.
3. Federal Direct Student Loan Promissory Note
Complete the master promissory note at https://studentaid.gov/mpn/ if you have not done so at Whatcom Community College. This is the actual loan application. Using your FSA ID, click the “Log In” button and click Complete Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note). Please read and follow all instructions carefully. Be sure to select the “undergraduate” option as there are multiple promissory notes used in the direct lending process. Please note that MPNs expire after 10 years once disbursed on and after just 12 months if no disbursement is made, if in doubt you can complete again. Return here when completed for Step 4.
4. Federal Direct Student Loan Online Form
Complete the Federal Direct Student Loan Online Form. 2023-2024 Federal Direct Student Loan Online Form
If you wish to make an adjustment to an existing 2023-2024 loan, unless instructed to, please do NOT submit an additional Online Form. Please send an email requesting an adjustment to cbouchar@whatcom.edu.
5. What Happens Next
The financial aid staff at WCC begins the certification (or processes) of your loan request once we receive your online form, if we cannot confirm completion of Entrance Counseling (Step 2) and/or MPN (Step 3) you will see these items as required on your 'To Do's' in ctcLink, as well as receive an email notification. Please note that without Steps 2, 3 and 4 being completed, disbursement and refund of loan funds cannot happen even if you see the loan(s) included on your awards.
Please allow a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks after submission of all three requirements (Steps 2, 3, and 4) to process your loan request AND for our office to disburse and refund if the quarter has begun. Please be aware that during certain periods, such as registration or at the beginning of each quarter, processing times will be longer.
Once processing is completed you will receive a Financial Aid Offer indicating your loan amounts and the quarters. Additional, an email is sent to notify you that a message is available to view in "Message Center" regarding your loan debt as required by state or federal rules and regulations.
Student loans, like other financial aid, are not disbursed to student accounts until just before the beginning of the quarter, actual refunds begin on the first day of the quarter.
You can also view your loan award in ctcLink by selecting the Financial Aid Tile and the 2024 - 2023-2024 Financial Aid Year. Loans, like grants or scholarships, will show in the Award Summary. You can see processing information by selecting the "loan info" link beside each loan award.
* If you and your parents are interested in a Parent PLUS loan, you can view additional information HERE and request a packet of information
* If you have applied for a private or alternative education loan with an outside lender, please view WCC's processing information HERE.
If you have difficulties, please contact:
The Financial Aid Office at finaid@whatcom.edu
Contact Information
Direct Lending Service Center
Phone: 800.848.0979
E-mail: Borrowers can submit questions through the Contact Us link on the servicer's website.