Undergraduate Students
Subsidized / Unsubsidized Loan Application Steps
Once the undergraduate student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, a Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan is automatically included on the student’s Award in Athena if he or she has sufficient Remaining Need after all other non-loan aid for which the student qualifies has been awarded. If the student accepts the Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan(s) in Athena, the student must then log in to studentaid.gov using his or her Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, and complete the following before he or she can receive the first loan disbursement:
1.) Entrance Counseling is usually required only once while enrolled at UGA. If you have not previously completed Entrance Counseling for a Subsidized / Unsubsidized Loan at UGA, see Steps to Completing Entrance Counseling on studentaid.gov.
2.) A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is usually required only once while enrolled at UGA. The MPN is a legal document whereby students promise to repay their loans and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. If you have not previously completed the MPN for a Subsidized / Unsubsidized Loan at UGA, or it has been more than 10 years since you previously completed the MPN, see Steps to Complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) on studentaid.gov.
Parent PLUS Loan Application Steps
If a parent wishes to apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan, in addition to the dependent student completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the borrowing parent must complete the following steps:
- Complete the Parent PLUS Application through the Federal Student Aid website at https://studentaid.gov. The parent borrower will log in using his or her own Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, not the student’s FSA ID. This will enable the U.S. Department of Education to perform the required credit check. The parent borrower may apply for an amount up to the student’s Remaining Need after all other aid (including Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans) for which the student qualifies has been awarded. See Steps to Request a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for step-by-step instructions on completing the application process.
- A Master Promissory Note (MPN) for a Parent PLUS Loan is usually required only once while the student is enrolled at UGA unless the prior MPN required an endorser. The MPN is a legal document whereby the parent promises to repay the loan and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. If the borrowing parent has not previously completed a Parent PLUS MPN for this student or the prior MPN required an endorser, then the parent must complete a Parent PLUS MPN. See Steps to Complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
- PLUS Counseling is only required when the borrowing parent has an adverse credit history, but qualifies for the PLUS Loan by documenting extenuating circumstances or obtaining an endorser. The U.S. Department of Education will inform the parent if he or she must complete this counseling as part of the application process.
- Assuming the parent borrower passes the required credit check or obtains an endorser, the Parent PLUS loan will be added to the student’s Award in an accepted status. Disbursement can only occur, however, if the Master Promissory Note and PLUS Counseling (if required), have been completed.
Please note: Parent PLUS Loan processing can take up to 10 business days once all information is received.
Graduate / Professional Students
Unsubsidized Loan Application Steps
Once the graduate or professional student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is automatically included on the student’s Award on Athena if he or she has sufficient Remaining Need after all other non-loan aid for which the student qualifies has been awarded. Once the student accepts the Unsubsidized Loan in Athena, the student must then complete the following application requirements before any loan funds can be disbursed:
1.) Log In to studentaid.gov using his or her Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (formally the PIN) and do the following:
- Entrance Counseling for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan as a graduate or professional student is usually required only once while enrolled at UGA. If you have not previously completed Entrance Counseling on studentaid.gov for an Unsubsidized / Grad PLUS Loan at UGA, see Steps to Completing Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
- A Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the Unsubsidized Loan as a graduate or professional student is usually required only once while enrolled at UGA. The MPN is a legal document whereby students promise to repay their loan and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. If you have not previously completed the Master Promissory Note for an Unsubsidized Loan at UGA, or it has been more than 10 years since you previously completed the MPN, see Steps to Complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) on studentaid.gov.
Graduate PLUS Loan Application Steps
Once the graduate or professional student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, a Graduate PLUS Loan is automatically included on his or her Award on Athena if the student has Remaining Need after all other aid (including Unsubsidized Loans) for which he or she qualifies has been awarded. Once the student accepts the Graduate PLUS Loan in Athena, the student must then complete the following before any PLUS Loan funds can be disbursed:
1.) Log In to studentaid.gov using his or her Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (formally the PIN) and do the following:
- A Master Promissory Note (MPN) for a Graduate PLUS Loan is usually required only once while the student is enrolled at UGA unless the prior MPN required an endorser. The MPN is a legal document whereby students promise to repay their loan and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. If the student has not previously completed a Graduate PLUS MPN or the prior MPN required an endorser, then see Steps to Complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) on studentaid.gov.
- Entrance Counseling for the Graduate PLUS Loan is usually required only once while enrolled at UGA. If you have not previously completed Entrance Counseling as a graduate student at UGA, see Steps to Completing Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
- PLUS Counseling is only required when the student has an adverse credit history, but qualifies for the PLUS Loan by documenting extenuating circumstances or obtaining an endorser. The U.S. Department of Education will inform the student if he or she must complete this counseling as part of the application process.