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Student Loans

Student Loans

Summary

Overview of direct loans (student loans) and how to apply for 2023–2024, which goes from Fall 2023 – Summer 2024

Direct Loans Overview

For information about federal direct loans, go to abtech.edu/financial-aid. Select "Direct Loans" on the left.

Direct loans are available for students who are actively attending or have already completed a minimum of six in-program credit hours, and who are in good academic standing in a qualifying program. For information about loans in default, please see the FAQ under Direct Loans on our website. Direct loans may be either subsidized or unsubsidized and must be repaid. The interest rate for direct loans is variable. The amount a student can borrow per academic year will depend upon enrollment, dependency status, and other aid received. The maximum amounts you can borrow per year are listed on our website under "Direct Loans."  

How to Apply for Student Loans

To apply for a loan, you must complete the following steps:

  1. Fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at studentaid.gov. A-B Tech's school code is 004033. Be sure to complete the Correct FAFSA that corresponds with the term you wish to enroll. 
  2. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov/mpn/.  
  3. Complete Entrance Counseling online at studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/
  4. Watch an online information session called Financial Aid Matters (if you have not already done so in prior years). Submit your completed Financial Aid Matters video Questionnaire to our secure Financial Aid Office Drop Box. Please review the Financial Aid Document Submission Policy carefully.
  5. Complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment

Once the above steps are completed, the Financial Aid Office will process your request for Direct Loans and post any available loan awards to your account. You will receive a notification to your student email account when that occurs. After receiving that notification, you will be able to see the total loan amount that you are eligible to receive in your Self-Service account.

If you need to decline or reduce your loan funds, complete the 22–23 Direct Loan Adjustment Form, which you can find online at abtech.edu/financialaidforms. Submit the completed form no later than 14 days before the first disbursement date to the Financial Aid Office using our secure Financial Aid Office Drop Box.

If you are requesting loan money for the fall semester only, you must be graduating in the fall or transferring to another school in the spring. Once you submit your form, you are not allowed to make any changes to request additional loan funds. Therefore, please make sure you request enough loan funding to cover your expenses for both semesters.

Application Timeframe

Your financial aid can take a minimum of two–four weeks to process and can be longer during peak times of the year. If the Financial Aid Office needs additional documentation to process your financial aid, the process could take longer. Loan applications can take an additional two–four weeks to process. The entire loan application process can take around four–eight weeks to process. 

The deadline to complete all loan requirements can be be found by visiting the Financial Aid Dates & Deadlines page and selecting the link for the correct semester.

How Loans Are Disbursed

All Federal Direct Student Loans will be awarded in multiple disbursements per semester. Direct Loans are disbursed after your attendance is recorded in at least six credit hours. If you're actively taking at least six credit hours, you'll be eligible to receive the full amount of your loans for that semester; however, the loan will still be disbursed in multiple separate disbursements per semester. As with other types of financial aid, Direct Loans are disbursed through the preference you set up with BankMobile.

Subsidized Direct Loans

Subsidized loan funds are awarded based on financial need. The federal government pays your interest while you're enrolled in school at least half-time in a qualifying program. You begin paying interest when repayment of the loan begins.  

Unsubsidized Direct Loans

Unsubsidized loan funds are not need-based. You will be charged interest from the time funds are disbursed until the loan is paid in full. You can choose to make monthly interest payments while you're in school, or you can choose to defer interest payments. If you choose to defer interest, it will accrue and will be added to the principal amount of the loan.  

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

A Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a federal direct loan which the parent may apply for.

 

Key Words:  direct loan, loan, loans, borrow, financial aid, apply, subsidized loan, unsubsidized loan, MPN, Master Promissory Note, Entrance Counseling, Financial Aid Matters

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