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APRIL 7
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Federal loans are borrowed funds that you must repay with interest. A federal student loan allows students and their parents to borrow money to help pay for college through loan programs supported by the federal government. They have low-interest rates and offer flexible repayment terms, benefits, and options.
Federal Direct Loans are provided by the federal government. The loans are for undergraduate as well as graduate and professional degree students. You must complete the financial aid application process (FAFSA) to be eligible and be enrolled a minimum of 6 credits per semester.
There are two types of Direct Loans (DL): Subsidized and Unsubsidized. The federal government will pay the interest that accrues on a subsidized DL during periods of enrollment. You are responsible for the interest that accrues on an unsubsidized DL. You have the option of making quarterly interest payments during enrollment or if you choose not to, the interest will be capitalized once at repayment. If you would like to make interest payments while enrolled, you should contact your servicer for information on their in-school interest billing processes.
If you are a dependent student and your parent is denied the Federal Direct PLUS Loan, you (the student) are eligible to borrow additional funds through the unsubsidized DL program ($4,000 per year for freshmen and sophomores and $5,000 per year for juniors and seniors). You must complete the Borrowing Intention Form (BIF) and return it to the Financial Aid Office if you would like to borrow additional DL funds after the PLUS Loan is denied. No additional DL funds will be processed without a completed BIF on file.
The subsidized DL is a need-based loan. If you do not demonstrate financial need, you are eligible to borrow the unsubsidized DL. The Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility based on the FAFSA.
For both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, a 1.059% origination fee is deducted by the government from each loan disbursement. This means for a loan in the amount of $3,500, the net amount that will disburse to LVC is $3,462 (3,500 x .9894). This amount is equally disbursed for the fall and spring semesters.
The following DL limits are based on the cost of attendance and cumulative credits earned:
Credits Earned | Subsidized Direct Loan | Unsubsidized Direct Loan | Students whose parents are denied the PLUS Loan- Additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan |
0-27 | $3,500 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
28-55 | $4,500 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
56-83 | $5,500 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
>84 | $5,500 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
Unsubsidized Direct Loan |
$20,500* |
*Graduate students are considered independent and are only eligible to receive the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Subsidized | Total (Subsidized & Unsubsidized) | |
Dependent Undergraduate | $23,000 | $31,000 |
Independent Undergraduate & Dependent Students whose parents are denied the PLUS Loan | $23,000 | $57,500 |
Graduate and Professional Students | N/A | $138,500 (includes undergraduate and graduate borrowing) |
As a first-time DL borrower, you must complete the Borrowing Intention Form (BIF - included with the financial aid offer), Entrance Counseling, and the Master Promissory Note (MPN).
You may access the online Entrance Counseling session and complete the MPN at the studentaid.gov. Our office will be notified electronically upon completion.
As a returning student borrower, you must complete the Borrowing Intention Form (BIF) that will be included in your financial aid offer*. Aid offers for current students will be prepared during the month of June and mailed the first week in July. You must list the amount you would like to borrow on the BIF, sign it, and return it to the Financial Aid Office in order for the loan to be processed.
*You must file the FAFSA before you will receive a financial aid offer. Please contact our office if you are NOT planning to file, finaid@lvc.edu, and we will prepare an aid offer that includes your merit scholarship only.
Student borrowers of Direct Loans or Perkins Loans who are graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment are required by law to complete exit counseling. Exit counseling provides important information students will need as they prepare to repay their federal student loan(s). The Financial Aid Office will also provide students with a summary of their borrowing history while at Lebanon Valley College. For additional details regarding federal student loans, students may also visit studentaid.gov.
During exit counseling, students must submit information regarding the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for their next of kin, references who live in the United States, and their employer or future employer (if known).