Messiah College: Financial Aid

Counseling

The Messiah College financial Aid Office is open for consultation on weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our phone number is (717) 691-6007.

Dollar amounts of Financial Aid's listed and application procedures on this page apply to the current academic year and are subject to change.

For a complete list of Messiah College scholarships, grants, and tuition discounts, see the current Messiah College catalog.

LOAN ENTRANCE COUNSELING

Why do students have to complete Loan Entrance Counseling?
The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99-498) require institutions to conduct Loan Entrance Counseling with all students who borrow Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans. If you do not complete this requirement, you cannot secure a Federal Direct Stafford Loan. It is only necessary to complete Loan Entrance Counseling one time during your attendance at Messiah College.

When do I complete the Loan Entrance Counseling?
Incoming students can complete the Loan Entrance Counseling online as soon as you have paid your deposit. Returning and continuing students can complete the Loan Entrance Counseling online at any time or stop by the Financial Aid Office in the basement of Old Main, watch the DVD, and sign a form. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

How do I complete the Loan Entrance Counseling?
Messiah College participates in both the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), as well as the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. It is important to note which of these two programs you will be choosing when selecting a Federal Stafford lender.

If you are a Direct Loan borrower through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, please follow Step 1, 2, or 3. Philadelphia students must follow Step 4.

Online at http://www.dlssonline.com. Click on “Entrance and Exit Counseling” in the top right. Click on the “Take the Entrance Counseling Session”.
Go to the Financial Aid Office in the basement of Old Main, watch the DVD, and sign a form. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. You do not need to call to make an appointment.
During Welcome Week there will be a session for all new and transfer students to view the Loan Entrance Counseling DVD. Please look for the date and time in your Welcome Week schedules.
Philadelphia campus students can see Katherine Nicely to view the video.

If you are a FFELP borrower through a bank or lender, please follow these steps:

Online at www.aessuccess.org. Click on “Entrance & Exit Counseling” on the middle bottom of your screen.
Check “Federal Student Loan Entrance Counseling”, the click Continue.
It takes about 20 minutes to complete; you will need your Social Security Number. Please print your Confirmation page when completed (to retain for your records).
Select State: “Pennsylvania”
Select School: “Messiah College”, then click Continue
Please take your time and thoroughly read all the information. There are test questions on each section. If you pass the tests you will receive a confirmation page.
Complete all the required biographical information (this is sent to Messiah College as a confirmation that you completed the Loan Entrance Counseling requirement).
Print your confirmation page using the “Printer Friendly Version” and keep a copy for your records (Messiah College does not need this, we receive the information electronically).

LOAN EXIT COUNSELING

Why do students have to complete the Loan Exit Counseling?
The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99-498) require institutions to conduct Loan Exit Counseling with all students who have borrowed a Federal Direct Stafford or Unsubsidized Loan during any time while attending Messiah College.

When do I complete the Loan Exit Counseling?
You must complete the Loan Exit Counseling before you leave campus.

How do I complete the Loan Exit Counseling?
Messiah College participates in both the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), as well as the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. It is important to remember which of these two programs you chose for your Federal Stafford loans.

If you are a Direct Loan borrower through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, please follow Step 1, 2, or 3. Philadelphia students must follow Step 4.

Online at http://www.dlssonline.com. Click on “Entrance and Exit Counseling” in the top right. Click on the “Take the Exit Counseling Session”.
Go to the Financial Aid Office in the basement of Old Main, watch the DVD, and sign a form. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. You do not need to call to make an appointment.
During a specified period of time, the Loan Exit Counseling DVD will run continually on channel 13 of the campus network.
Philadelphia students can see Katherine Nicely to view the video.

If you are a FFELP borrower through a bank or lender, please follow these steps:

Online at www.aessuccess.org. Click on “Entrance & Exit Counseling” on the middle bottom of your screen.
Check “Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling”, the click Continue.
It takes about 20 minutes to complete; you will need your Social Security Number. Please print your Confirmation page when completed (to retain for your records).
Select State: “Pennsylvania”
Select School: “Messiah College”, then click Continue
Please take your time and thoroughly read all the information. There are test questions on each section. If you pass the tests you will receive a confirmation page.
Complete all the required biographical information (Messiah College receives an electronic confirmation that you completed the Loan Exit Counseling requirement).
Print your Confirmation page using the “Printer Friendly Version” and keep a copy for your records (Messiah College does not need this, we receive the information electronically).

What else is required before I leave campus?
All graduates will receive a large information packet containing details on all your Federal Loans. Review the information in this packet and keep these documents for your records.

Only for the Federal Direct Loan borrowers: You will receive the Exit Counseling Guide for Direct Loan Borrowers. This has two pages in the back that need to be completed – Direct Loan Borrower Information AND Rights and Responsibilities Summary Checklist. You must either campus mail them to Box 3006 or bring them to the Financial Aid Office in the basement of Old Main. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.