2.6: Student Loans

A loan is a legal obligation that you will be responsible for repaying with interest. If you plan to take out a student loan, we encourage you to be a responsible borrower by following these tips:

  1. Only borrow what you need
  2. Keep track of how much you are borrowing
  3. Research starting salaries in your field
  4. Understand the terms of your loan and keep copies of your master promissory note
  5. Make payments on time
  6. Stay connected with your loan servicer

The U.S. Department of Education releases official cohort default rates once per year. A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1st to September 30th, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. The FY 2020 national cohort default rate is 0%. Please refer to the chart below for Lamar University’s most recent cohort default rates.

 

Cohort Default Rates

OPE ID

School

Type

Control

PRGMS

 

FY2020

FY2019

FY2018

 

 

 

 

 

Master's Degree or Doctor's Degree

 

 

Default Rate

0

0.5

4.3

 

 

 

 

 

No. in Default

0

25

194

No. in Repay

4138

4181

44419

 

 

 

 

003581

Lamar University 

4400 Martin Luther King Parkway

BEAUMONT TX 77710-

0042

Public

Both

(FFEL/F

DL)

Enrollment figures

 

21,621

 

19,727

 

19,508

 

 

 

 

Percentage Calculation

19.14%

21.19%

22.65%

Source: Federal Student Aid, https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/defaultmanagement/cdr.html

 

Federal Direct Student Loans

The Department of Education (ED) is your lender for all Federal Direct Student Loans. These are low-interest loans that must be repaid at a future date, usually beginning six months after you graduate, leave school, or are no longer enrolled as a Half-Time student. For more information regarding repayment, please visit https:// studentaid.gov/. ED charges an origination fee of the total amount borrowed per loan. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you borrow. You're responsible for repaying the entire amount you borrowed plus any interest accrued, and not just the amount you received. The interest rate varies depending on the loan type and for most federal student loans, the first disbursement date. Current interest rates are available for viewing at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates. Listed below are the different types of Direct Loans you may receive while attending Lamar University:

  • Direct Subsidized Loan
  • Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  • Direct PLUS Loan

These loans may be used for education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, living costs, transportation, etc. You must be enrolled at least Half-Time to receive a disbursement of these funds.

Before borrowing a federal student loan, you must complete entrance counseling to ensure you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming. You may complete this counseling at https://studentaid.gov/. In addition to entrance counseling, you are also required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). This is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department

of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). You must complete the entrance counseling and sign the MPN before you receive a loan payment.

If you receive a federal student loan payment, you will be required to complete exit counseling once you graduate or stop attending at least Half-Time. Exit Counseling provides vital information to prepare you to repay your federal student loan(s).

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan - This loan is available to undergraduate students with financial need. ED pays the interest on this loan while you are enrolled in school at least Half-Time. Repayment on this loan begins six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below Half-Time enrollment.

How to Apply

  • Complete a FAFSA Eligibility Requirements
  • Meet the general eligibility criteria to receive federal student aid
  • In good standing in accordance with LU Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for student aid
  • Demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA
  • Enrolled at least half-time as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • Must be classified as an undergraduate student

Award Amount

The amount you are awarded will depend on:

  • Your financial need
  • Your classification
  • Your dependency status
  • Yearly and aggregate loan limits

Disbursement Requirements

  • Accept the loan on your Self-Service Banner
  • Complete Entrance Counseling
  • Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  • Enrolled at least half-time

How and When your Loans Disburse

Your loan will disburse no earlier than 10 days before your scheduled enrollment begins. Loans are typically disbursed once a semester, however if you are enrolled in the accelerated on-line program or receiving a loan for only one semester, you will receive two disbursements within the semester. The first, no more than 10 days prior to your first class day, and the second half-way through the semester.

Learn More....

Federal Direct Un-Subsidized Loan - This loan is not based on financial need and may be awarded to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Interest will accrue (accumulate) on this loan from the time it is first paid out. You can pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). If you choose not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount you have to repay because you will be charged interest on a higher principal amount. Repayment on this loan begins six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below Half-Time enrollment.

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements

  • Meet the basic eligibility criteria to receive federal aid Disbursement Requirements
  • Accept the award on Self Service Banner
  • Complete Entrance Counseling
  • Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  • Enrolled at least Half-Time How and When Your Loan Disburse

Your loan will disburse no earlier than 10 days before your scheduled enrollment begins. Loans are typically

disbursed once a semester, however if you are enrolled in the accelerated on-line program or receiving a loan for only one semester, you will receive two disbursements within the semester. The first, no more than 10 days prior to your first day of class, and the second half-way through the semester.

 

Learn More....

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan - Parents of dependent students may apply for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan (application is online at www.studentaid.gov) to help pay their child's education expenses as long as certain eligibility requirements are met. Information about repayment can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent.

How to Apply

  • Student completes a FAFSA
  • Parent must apply for the loan at https://studentaid.gov

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Meet the basic eligibility criteria to receive federal aid
  • In good standing in accordance with LU Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for student aid
  • Enrolled at least Half-Time as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program

Parent Eligibility Requirements

  • Biological or adoptive parent (or in some cases, the stepparent) of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least Half-Time at an eligible school
  • Not have an adverse credit history (unless you meet certain additional requirements); and
  • Meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid

Award Amount

  • If approved, parents may borrow up to the full yearly Cost of Attendance (as established by the Office of

Student Aid) minus all other financial assistance the student receives.

Disbursement Requirements

  • The parent must sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://studentaid.gov/
  • Student must be enrolled at least Half-Time How and When the Loan will Disburse

This loan will disburse no earlier than 10 days before your scheduled enrollment begins. Loans are typically disbursed once a semester, however if you are enrolled in the accelerated on-line program or receiving a loan for only one semester, you will receive two disbursements within the semester. The first, no more than 10 days prior to your first day of class, and the second half-way through the semester.

* If your parent is unable to borrow Direct PLUS Loans due to adverse credit or other exceptional circumstances, you may receive additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds up to the same amount that is available to independent undergraduate students. The increased loan amounts may not substitute entirely for the amount a parent may borrow under the PLUS program. To request these additional funds, email financialaid@lamar.edu.

Learn More....

Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan - The Graduate PLUS Loan is available to graduate and professional students to help pay for education expenses up to the Cost of Attendance minus all other financial assistance.

You do not have to start making payments until six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below Half- Time enrollment. During any period when you are not required to make payments, interest will accrue on your loan. You may choose to pay the accrued interest or allow the interest to be capitalized when you must start making payments. Your loan servicer will notify you when your first payment is due.

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements

  • Meet the basic eligibility criteria to receive federal student aid
  • Not have an adverse credit history (unless you meet certain additional eligibility requirements)
  • In good standing in accordance with LU Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for student aid
  • Be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least Half-Time in an eligible program leading to a graduate or professional degree or certificate

Award Amount

  • You may borrow up to the full yearly Cost of Attendance (as established by the Office of Student Aid) minus all other eligible financial assistance

Disbursement Requirements

 

How and When the Loan will Disburse

This loan will disburse no earlier than 10 days before your scheduled enrollment begins. Loans are typically disbursed once a semester, however if you are enrolled in the accelerated on-line program or receiving a loan for only one semester, you will receive two disbursements within the semester. The first, no more than 10 days prior to your first day of class, and the second half-way through the semester.

Learn more......

Yearly and Aggregate Federal Direct Loan Amounts

 

Alternative Loans - Private student loans provided by banks, credit unions, and other lenders can help bridge the gap between the student aid you have already received for college and the total Cost of Attendance. Alternative loans are available through private lenders and require a separate loan application.