Loans for Students
There are two types of Federal Direct Loans:
Subsidized: The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while a student is in school at
least half-time, during the grace period, and during deferment periods.
Unsubsidized: Not based on financial need. Interest is charged during all periods, even during
the time a student is in school, during the grace and deferment periods.
To be eligible for loans students must be enrolled at least half time in an eligible program. Once you are no longer enrolled at least half time in an eligible program, you will receive a 6-month grace period on your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans during which you are not required to make loan payments. You must begin repayment at the end of your grace period.
Supplemental Loan Form accepted through November 10, 2023, for the fall term, through April 8, 2024, for spring term and through June 21,2024, for summer term.
For Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans where the first disbursement is on or after July 1, 2022, and before July 1, 2023, the fixed interest rate is 4.99%.
For Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans where the first disbursement is on or after July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024, the fixed interest rate is 5.5%.
- How do I request a Direct Loan?
- How much can I borrow?
- Are there fees for my Direct Loan?
- When will I receive my loan money?
- How do I receive my loan money?
- Is there a deadline to apply for a Direct Loan?
- When do I pay my Direct Loan back?
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How do I request a Direct Loan?
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online using the FAFSA Form
- Return all documents requested by the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) Financial Aid Office to complete your FAFSA application. Refer to your WebSMART for unsatisfied financial aid requirements.
- If you are a first- time borrower you will need to complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
To complete the MPN:
- Navigate to the website for Federal Student Aid (FSA).
- Click “Log In and enter your FSA ID and Password.
- Click “Complete Master Promissory Note” and select Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans.
- Enter your personal information.
- Select the college you will be attending- Cañada College, College of San Mateo or Skyline College.
- Enter your Personal References information.
- Read the Terms & Conditions carefully
- Review your information and sign your MPN.
- You should receive the following message: “Thank you for submitting the MPN”, and
receive an email confirmation that it has been completed.
To complete the Entrance Counseling:
- From the same website for Federal Student Aid (FSA), click Complete Entrance Counseling.
- Select Undergraduate and complete the counseling.
- Complete the Supplemental Direct Loan Form. This is a fillable PDF which you will complete online.
- Submit the completed Supplemental Direct Loan Form and your current SEP to your Financial Aid Office via their Drop Box. You will need to include a copy of a government picture ID and a copy of your Social Security Card in order for your loan to be processed.
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How much can I borrow?
SMCCCD is a two-year institution district. Therefore, students are only eligible to apply for a first-year (less than 30 units completed at SMCCCD) or second-year (30 units or more completed at SMCCCD) student loan. Note: Transfer units from other institutions may be considered when determining grade level for loan eligibility only after the coursework has been evaluated by our Transcript Evaluation Service (TES) and it applies to your current educational goal.
Annual Direct Loan Limits are as follows:
ACADEMIC LEVEL DEPENDENT INDEPENDENT Subsidized Unsubsidized Maximum Total Subsidized Unsubsidized Maximum Total 1ST Year
(0-29.5 units)$3,500 $2,000 $5,500 $3,500 $6,000 $9,500 2nd Year
(30+ units)$4,500 $2,000 $6,500 $4,500 $6,000 $10,500 Note: Your current loan request amount, prior loan debt, Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), program length and time left to complete it will be reviewed, and as a result your loan request could be reduced or denied.
Loan Proration Policy
Loan proration impacts undergraduate students applying for graduation who are receiving Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans.
Federal regulations require schools to prorate the Federal Direct Loan amounts for graduating undergraduate students when their final period of enrollment is less than a full academic year. The loan limit proration determines the maximum loan amount that a student may borrow for the final term of study based on the degree they are earning.
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Are there fees for my Direct Loan?
For all Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans with a first disbursement date on or after October 1, 2021 and before October 1, 2022, the origination fee is 1.057%.
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When will I receive my loan money?
Student loans are paid in two equal disbursements during the selected loan period. For academic year loans, the 1st disbursement is paid in fall and the 2nd disbursement is paid at the beginning of the spring semester. For one-semester loans, the loan is paid in two equal disbursements during the semester.
In accordance with federal regulations, no loan money may be released sooner than ten days prior to the beginning of a semester. HOWEVER, if you are a first-time Direct Loan borrower, the 1st disbursement will be 30 days after the beginning of the semester.
IMPORTANT! To receive Direct Loan funds, you must be enrolled at least half time (6.0 units)! Please note! The start date of your classes will affect when you will receive your student loan. Please refer to your registration or the Class Schedule to determine the start date of your classes.
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How do I receive my loan money?
The Direct Loan funds are delivered to the student through the San Mateo County Community College District. The Financial Aid Offices at College of San Mateo, Cañada College, and Skyline College offer students a financial aid disbursement service through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. For more information about BankMobile Disbursements, visit BankMobile Disbursements Refund Choices/.
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Is there a deadline to apply for a Direct Loan?
Yes. Deadline dates are listed on the Supplemental Direct Loan Form.
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When do I pay my Direct Loan back?
After graduating, leaving school, or enrolling less than half time, a student will have a six month "grace period" before the first loan payment is due. All Direct Loans must be paid back with interest. Typically a student will have 10 years to repay their Direct Loan. The Exit Counseling Guide will provide a complete picture of your loan repayment options.
Payment Plans
There are two types of payment plans for federal student loans: fixed and income-driven. On a fixed repayment plan, your total principal balance is broken up into regular monthly payments that are designed to see your loans paid off within a fixed number of years. On an income-driven repayment plan, your income and family size determine your monthly payment amounts. For more information, please watch the Federal Student Aid's video guide on student repayment plans.
Private Loans
Student interested in applying for a private loan are encouraged to seek additional
information here:
https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/federal-vs-private
Federal Student Aid OMBUDSMAN
If you have a problem or question about your student loan, you can reach out via the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Help Center. If your complaint isn’t resolved, reach out to the FSA Ombudsman Group by logging in, adding information to your existing case, and requesting to escalate to the Ombudsman Group. For more information about the FSA Ombudsman, go to the Office of the Ombudsman FSA webpage or call 877.557.2575. Further contact information is listed on the webpage.
If you have additional questions, please contact your college's Financial Aid Office.
Important Update Regarding Recent Changes In Direct Subsidized Loan Eligibility
On July 6, 2012 the President signed into law the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP 21). This law places a limit on Direct Subsidized loan eligibility for new borrowers on or after July 1, 2013, and prior to June 30, 2021.
Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2021, are no longer subject to the Subsidized usage limit (SULA).
Borrowers were not eligible for Direct Subsidized loans once they received subsidized loans for a period of 150% of the length of the borrower's educational program. The borrower also becomes responsible for accruing interest during all periods as of the date the borrower exceeds the 150 percent limit. For detail information on 150% Loan Limit visit Time Limitation on Direct Subsidized Loan Eligibility For First Time Borrowers.
A first-time borrower was a borrower who had no outstanding balance of principal or interest on a Direct Loan or FFEL loan on July 1, 2013. Borrowers who had a loan balance which has been paid in full prior to receiving loans after July 1, 2013 became a first-time borrower.
Student Loan Code of Conduct
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 requires institutions of higher education to develop and enforce a code of conduct that prohibits conflicts of interest for financial aid personnel. In compliance with this requirement, San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) and its three colleges, Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College has created the following code of conduct based on the HEOA of 2008.
Other college employees, officers and agents with responsibilities in respect to educational loans must also comply with this policy.
Ban on Revenue-Sharing Arrangements – SMCCD shall not enter into any revenue-sharing arrangement with any lender or other vendor working with the Financial Aid Office. The college shall not accept any fee or other material benefit in exchange for recommending a lender to its students.
Gift Ban – No SMCCD officer or employee with financial aid responsibilities shall solicit or accept a gift (e.g., a gift of services, transportation, lodging or meals, provided by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance or reimbursement) having a monetary value of more than a nominal amount from lenders, guarantors or servicers of education loans.
Contracting Arrangements Prohibited – No SMCCD officer or employee with financial aid responsibilities shall accept from any lender or lender affiliate any payment or other financial benefit as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender.
Interaction with Borrowers – SMCCD shall not automatically assign a particular lender to any borrower and shall not refuse to certify or delay certification of any loan based on the lender or guarantee agency selected.
Prohibition on Offers of Funds for Private Loans – SMCCD shall not request or accept from any lender an offer of funds to be used for private education loans in exchange for the college providing the lender with a specified number or volume of loans made or in exchange for placement on a preferred lender list.
Ban on Staffing Assistance – SMCCD shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid office staffing. Lenders, however, may provide professional development training to financial aid administrators, educational advising materials to borrowers or assistance in state or federally-declared natural disasters.
Advisory Board Assistance – All SMCCD employees with financial aid responsibilities shall be prohibited from receiving anything of value from a lender or guarantor in return for service on its advisory board. Reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such service, however, is permitted.