2014-2015 Student Loan Guide and Request Form Page 1
THE
LOS ANGELES
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DISTRICT
Student Loan Guide
And Loan Request Form
2014-2015 Student Loan Guide and Request Form Page 2
LACCD and West Los Angeles College Loan Philosophy
As low-cost public institutions with limited entrance requirements, we are concerned about our students and believe that it is critical that we establish a clear rationale for student loan eligibility at our institutions. We wish to be certain that when students transfer they have sufficient loan eligibility to complete their education, and that students who do not intend to go beyond the community college level will not be overly burdened by debt. If students need additional loans when they are receiving a fee waiver and grant assistance, they will almost certainly need to continue to borrow when they transfer.For most community college students, loans in
addition to other financial assistance are not recommended.
West Los Angeles College is dedicated to supporting student success. Students often need to borrow funds to help with school related expenses and ultimately help students finish their educational goal which is a good investment. However, many students enter into debt without a clear picture of how their loan debt will affect them in the future. Remember, student loans must be repaid with interest. Before you borrow, consider your ability to repay your loans. Defaulting on a student loan will negatively affect your credit history.
Things You Should Know…
WHAT IS A DIRECT LOAN?
Direct Loans are low interest loans to students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student’s education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. There are no banks or lending institutions. There are two types of Direct Loans: Subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans.
o Subsidized loans are awarded on the basis of financial need. You won't be charged any interest until you graduate or drop below six units because the federal government subsidizes the interest during the time you are enrolled. Effective July 2012, the government will no longer subsidize the interest during the six month grace period.
o Unsubsidized loans charge interest from the time the money is first disbursed until it is paid in full. The
interest is capitalized when you enter repayment, meaning that you pay interest on any interest that has already accrued. One way to minimize how much interest accrues is to pay the interest as it accumulates. If you still have several years until you receive your degree, this can become very expensive – NOT RECOMMENDED.
ATTENTION FIRST TIME LOAN BORROWERS
A first time borrower is someone who has no outstanding balance of principal or interest on a Direct Loan or FFELP Loan on July 1, 2013 or on the date the borrower obtains a Direct Loan after July 1, 2013.
Effective July 1, 2013, subsidized Stafford loans will be limited to 150% of a student’s program. This means that if a student is pursuing a two-year program at a community college, students will be limited to three (3) years of subsidized Stafford loan.
ENTRANCE LOAN COUNSELING REQUIREMENT
Federal laws require all borrowers to participate in Student Loan Entrance Counseling. The counseling explains the terms and conditions for the loan you plan to borrow. It also provides borrowers with information about the various Direct Loan repayment options. Your campus will inform you about its counseling requirements.
2014-2015 Student Loan Guide and Request Form Page 3 EXIT LOAN COUNSELING REQUIREMENT
West Los Angeles College requires borrowers to complete Student Loan Exit Counseling annually or when the borrower drops below six (6) approved units during the semester or when the borrower graduates. The Direct Loan Servicing Center will send you information on your loan and when repayment begins.
Borrower Eligibility
In order to request a Direct Student Loan, you must meet the following requirements:
• Complete a 2014-2015 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.
• Have received a 2014-2015 Award Notification or a letter stating you are ineligible for any need-based aid. • Satisfy the general student financial aid eligibility requirements.
• Be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) approved units. Students who are on an Extension Petition must be enrolled in six (6) approved units.
• Comply with Entrance and Exit Loan Counseling requirements. • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
Borrowing the low-interest, Federal Direct Loan is a privilege. Even though it is a loan, the college has the right to refuse to certify a loan application for high-risk borrowers. West Los Angeles College has a responsibility to evaluate all student loan requests on a case-by-case basis and West Los Angeles College has the federal authority [HEA Sec, 479 (A)(c), 34 CFR 685.301(a)(8)] to reduce or deny loan requests for students that in our professional judgment, are at serious risk of loan default. High levels of indebtedness, coupled with a small amount of progress in an academic program, are common indicators of high risk for default. After evaluation, your student loan request may be denied or reduced due to conditions below:
• A previous default on a federal student loan.
• Notification of previously discharged federal student loans due to disability or bankruptcy. • Notification of delinquent federal student loan repayment status.
• Instances of inconsistent, fraudulent FAFSA, or admissions application information.
• Inability to repay -- Applicants with loan indebtedness in excess of a maximum for two-year public institutions.
• Consistently NOT meeting satisfactory academic progress standards.
NOTIFICATION
The college will transmit the loan information to the Direct Loan Servicing Center. You will then receive loan disclosure notice from the U.S. Department of Education approximately two weeks after the loan has been originated. Watch for correspondence from your loan servicer. Take careful note of their contact information. It is critical that if your address or phone number changes, you notify your servicer. Maintaining correct
information can help you protect your credit and keep your loan in good standing. You can also find your loan servicer at www.nslds.ed.gov
THE RIGHT TO REDUCE OR CANCEL THE STUDENT LOAN
2014-2015 Student Loan Guide and Request Form Page 4 DROPPING BELOW HALF TIME
If you drop below half-time prior to the scheduled Fall semester disbursement, the disbursement will be cancelled and loan fund(s) will be returned promptly to the U.S. Department of Education. If you drop below half-time after the scheduled fall disbursement and before the Fall semester is completed, you will not be eligible for a Spring semester loan disbursement. In both scenarios you may be eligible for a loan for the spring semester only, and a new loan request must be submitted. If you drop below half-time prior to the scheduled spring semester disbursement the disbursement will be cancelled. We are concerned and you should be concerned about accruing debt when your progress is limited.
Dependent Undergrad Student Independent Undergrad Student
Maximum Total Debt from Stafford Loans When You Graduate (aggregate loan limits)
$31,000—No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
$57,500—No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Important reminder: If you have several years remaining until you achieve your Bachelors degree, you should
consider limiting borrowing so you retain loan eligibility. You should also know that Pell Grant eligibility is now capped at 12 full-time semesters.
Application Process
Complete the Student Loan Request Form Sign the Rights and Responsibilities Checklist Meet Entrance Counseling requirement(s)
Complete your college’s financial literacy requirement Bring the original signed Social Security card
Bring a valid government issued photo-identification such as driver’s license or U.S. passport
New student loan borrowers: Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentloans.gov Continuing borrowers: Attach a printout of my past loan history at www.nslds.ed.gov
FEDERAL LOAN BORROWING LIMITS
2014-2015 Student Loan Request Form Page 5
2014-2015 Student Loan Request Form
Section A (Please print clearly. Do not leave any information blank) Last Name First Name MI Social Security Number
Mailing Address City/State Zip Code
Cell Phone Number Alternative Phone # Email Address
Section B
Only borrow what you need (we strongly encourage you to borrow less than the annual limit). You should consider your expenses and your income (including financial aid) to determine this amount.
How much do you need to borrow? $ _______________ Expected Graduation Date: ______________
Transfer
What is your current educational goal/program of study (Major) at West Los Angeles College? _______________________ o This information will be matched against your student record information on the Student Information
System. If there is a conflict, you will need to resolve with your academic counselor).
Section C
You MUST log in to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at www.nslds.ed.gov to retrieve your current student loan debt.
1. Your current student loan balance - refer to the NSLDS printout for your
total student loan balance $
2. Loan amount you plan to request for the 2014-2015 academic year. (Only borrow what you need to pay for educational expenses during the
academic year)
$ 3. Loan amount you project you need to complete your educational goal.
(This amount will include loans you may borrow at a 4-year university.) $ 4. This is the total student loan debt you will owe upon completion of your
educational goal. (This is the amount that you need to repay after you complete your degree.)
$
You then need to calculate your approximate monthly loan payment based on the estimated student loan debt you project to borrow to complete your degree.
You must login to https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/ and use the “Repayment Estimator”. You must attach the printout of the Repayment Estimator.
Section D
Please initial after you have read the following statements below. I understand that . . . • This is a loan and must be repaid with accrued interest. Initial: ______
• This loan is to be used for educationally related expenses. Initial: ______
• I must have a signed Master Promissory Note (MPN) to receive this loan and collection of all debts acquired under this MPN is fully enforceable in a court of law. Initial: ______
• I must immediately notify the holder of my loan if my status changes and that failure on my part to adhere to the terms and conditions of my loan may result in default and may affect my rights as a student loan borrower. Initial: ______
• My loan(s) will be originated for the loan period that I am eligible for and the loan(s) may be prorated if my educational goal at ____________________________ will be completed in less than a full academic year. Initial: ______
• I must be enrolled in at least six (6) approved units for my loan request to be certified. This means that if I am on a Petition Extension due to satisfactory academic progress, only the courses listed on my Student Educational Plan as approved by the Financial Aid Office will be counted in the approved units. Initial: ______
• My loan will be cancelled if my enrollment is less than six (6) approved units at the time of my first loan disbursement. Initial: ______
• New borrowers only: As a new loan borrower, I understand that my first loan disbursement will be delayed thirty (30) days from the first day of semester. Initial: ______
• Continuing borrowers only: I have visited the National Student Loan Data System at www.nslds.ed.gov. I have attached a printout of my past loan activity and I am aware of my student loan balance. Initial: ____
Borrower Request and Certification:
The information contained on this Student Loan Qequest is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that I am requesting a loan that MUST BE REPAID, including any fees, interest rate and/or collection costs. I understand all the terms and conditions of this student loan. I understand that West Los Angeles College will notify me via email to my LACCD assigned email of all correspondences. I have read and understand the information on the Student Loan Guide and the eligibility requirements to apply for this student loan. I understand the deadline to submit the request for a student loan and that College will not certify my student loan request due to incomplete documents and not meeting eligibility
requirements.
Deadlines:
Please be aware of the following deadlines. It is the student's responsibility to submit a completed Direct LoanApplication with the required supporting documentation prior to the deadline.
For students enrolled in the Fall 2014 semester only: November 24, 2014
For students enrolled in the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters or the Spring 2015 semester only: May 18, 2015
_______________________________________________ _________________________________
Student’s Signature Date
2014-2015 Student Loan Request Form Page 6
2014-2015 Student Loan Request Form Page 7
Rights and Responsibilities
I understand that I have a right to the following: (Check off each box as you read.)
Written information on my loan obligations and information on my rights and responsibilities as a borrower. A copy of my Master Promisorry Note (MPN) either before or at the time my loan is disbursed.
A grace period and an explanation of what this means.
Notification, if I am in my grace period or repayment, no later than 45 days after a lender assigns, sells or transfers my loan to another lender.
A disclosure statement, received before I begin to repay my loan, that includes information about interest rates, fees, the balance I owe, and a loan repayment schedule.
Deferment or forbearance of repayment for certain defined periods, if I qualify and if I request it. Prepayment of my loan in whole or in part anytime without an early-repayment penalty.
Documentation that my loan is paid in full.
To cancel or reduce all or a portion of my loan by notifying the loan servicer within 120 days of disbursement. I understand I am responsible for:
Completing exit counseling before I leave school or drop below half-time enrollment.
Repaying my loan according to my repayment schedule even if I do not complete my academic program, I am dissatisfied with the education I received, or I am unable to find employment after I graduate.
Notifying my lender or loan servicer within 10 days if I: Move or change my address
Change my telephone number Change my name
Change my social security number
Change employers or my employer’s address or telephone number changes
Making monthly payments on my loan after my grace period ends, unless I have a deferment or forbearance. Notifying my lender or loan servicer of anything that might alter my eligibility for an existing deferment or forbearance.
I have read the Rights and Responsibilities Checklist.
______________________________________________ _______________________________
USA Funds Life Skills Student Guide
West Los Angeles College, WLAC Financial Literacy
Through your school, you now have access to USA Funds® Life Skills®, a free online learning
program that offers you advice for managing your time and money wisely while on campus and after graduation. This Student Guide provides basic information about the tool and outlines the steps necessary to access and complete the lesson(s) that your school has assigned to you.
Log in.
New users are required to complete a simple, one-time registration process. Once you complete the initial registration process, only your username and password are required for future visits.
1. Open your browser and go to www.lifeskills.org.
o Helpful hint: Save this address as a favorite to simplify access for future visits. 2. Click “Request a new account” in the Login box to create your account.
3. Complete all of the information on the Request Account page. Some fields require the school defined information listed below.
o Enter your school e-mail address as your username.
o Enter the student ID number assigned to you by your institution as your school-assigned student ID. o Enter 00859600 as your School Code. Note: This
code must be entered exactly as shown here. o Enter 00859600-01 as your Student Access Code.
Note: This code must be entered exactly as shown here.
4. Click “Create Account” in the lower right corner to create your account.
o Note: If you forget your password on future visits, click “Forgot your password?” in the Login box to receive an email containing your password to the email address you provided when you created your account.
Get started.
To access and complete the lessons, follow these steps:
1. Select “My Catalog” from the left navigation menu or select the “My Catalog” tab at the top of the page. 2. Click on the name of a lesson and click “Enroll” on the right side of the screen.
o Lessons can be completed in any order. If you are unable to complete a lesson in one visit, you can return to it at any time and continue where you left off. Click the name of the lesson under “My Learning” on your Home page to return to the in-progress lesson.
3. Click on the name of the lesson again under “OLT Lessons” to begin the lesson.
o Note: Your computer settings must be set to allow pop-ups to access the lesson. The
lessons also contain sound so you may want to use headphones.
4. Click “Next” to advance through the lesson.
5. Complete the Lesson Challenge quiz at the end of the lesson. You must achieve 70 percent or higher to pass the lesson. Once achieved, your score will be recorded on your transcript as well as your school’s weekly report. (See next section for transcript information.)
o Scroll to the bottom of the Lesson Challenge results and click “Print” to print your quiz results. 6. Click “Ok” to close your quiz results and click “Close Window” to exit the lesson.
7. Click USA Funds Life Skills Survey under “Course Activities” to complete a brief survey about the lesson. 8. Click the “Home” tab to return to the Home page.
9. Repeat the previous steps until you have completed all of the lessons assigned to you.
Revised Your school has assigned the following lesson(s) to you:
103 What Do I Need to Know About Repaying My Student Loans?
104 What If I Have Trouble Repaying My Student Loans?
105 How Do I Manage My Student Loans While I’m in School?
203 How Do I Live on a Budget While I'm in School?
204 How Do I Manage My School Life?
205 How Do I Manage My Personal Life While I Am in School?
304 Where Does My Paycheck Go?
305 How Do I Live On A Budget After I Have Completed School?
401 How Do I Manage My Credit Card Debt?
402 What Do Credit Scores Mean to Me?
403 What Do Credit Reports Mean to Me?
404 How Can I Protect Myself From Identity Theft?
405 How Do I Manage My Debt?
406 How Do I Set Savings Goals?
407 How Can I Make the Most of My Savings?
602 How Will I Pay for My Graduate Education?
603 How Much Income Should I Expect?
You are required to complete course 203 as well as WZRadditional courseV from the list above.
See your results.
A printable transcript of your lesson activity is available at any time. 1. Click “My Transcripts” in the left navigation menu.
o Your transcript will provide details about any lesson in which you have enrolled, including completion status, registration date, completion date and final assessment score.
2. You have the option to print or export your transcript.
o Click “Print” in the upper right corner to print your transcript.
o Click “Export” in the upper right corner, choose an export format and click “Export” to create an electronic version of your transcript.
Complete multiple assignments.
If you are assigned multiple lessons from different staff (for example, one group of lessons from the financial aid office and another group of lessons from a professor), you will need to enter additional access codes to your account. This is required for your lesson completion results to be accurately reported to those who assigned the USA Funds Life Skills lessons to you.
1. Click “My Account” in the left navigation menu.
2. Enter the additional code(s) in the available Student Access Code fields.
o Note: If you override an existing code with a new code, your completion results no longer will be reported to the person who provided the existing code.
3. Click “Update.”
Get help.
For assistance, use the “Contact Us” link or call USA Funds Customer Support, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time at (800) 766-0084. After these hours, support is available at (866) 722-1470.
