Federal Direct Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling

Federal Regulations require students to complete an Entrance Loan Counseling session prior to obtaining a Federal Direct Stafford student loan. The purpose of the session is to help you to understand your rights and obligations as a student loan borrower.

Your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans are made directly to you by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) through the school(s) you attend. ED is your lender and will remain your lender throughout the life of your Direct Loans. Your payments will go to ED's Direct Loan Servicing Center. Although the Department has several servicing Center locations (with separate addresses and toll-free telephone numbers), you will always work with the same Servicing Center, even if you take out several Direct Loans or transfer from one school to another.

While the Servicing Center will oversee your loan account until your loans are paid in full, you are the real loan manager because you have the sole responsibility for repaying your loans. Please remember, if you have any questions or concerns about your loan, your school's financial aid office and the Direct Loan Servicing Center are there to help. Once you receive a Direct Loan, you will be notified of your Servicing Center location (the toll-free telephone number and address will appear on all correspondence and monthly statements from the Servicing Center). You should always use that information when contacting the Servicing Center; however, if you should misplace that information, you can call 1-888-447-4460 or visit the Direct Loan Servicing Center Web Site.