Loan Counseling   Why do students have to complete Loan Entrance Counseling?   The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99-498) requires 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?
There are several ways you can complete this requirement:

 

1. Online at www.dl.ed.gov. Click on the "Entrance and Exit Counseling" at the top of the page. 
2. In the "Entrance Counseling" box, click on the "Go" button.
3. In the "Stafford Loan" box, click on "Tutorial and Quiz".  This will take 20-30 minutes to complete.

OR

 

1. 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.

OR

 

1. During Welcome Week there will be a session for all new and transfer students to view the Loan Entrance Counseling video.  Please look for the date and time in your Welcome Week schedules.
   

OR

 

1. Philadelphia campus students can see Katherine Nicely to view the video tape.

 

Loan Exit Counseling

Why do students have to complete the Loan Exit Counseling?
The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99-498) requires 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.

 

How do I know what loans I have?
The Financial Aid Office will send a large packet to all graduates, which contains information and details on all the student loans you secured while studying at 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?
Because Messiah College participated in two different loan programs, FFELP (loans with banks/lenders) and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan, you may have to complete Exit Counseling in one or more places.

 

 If you have Direct Loans, please follow these instructions:

1. Go online at www.dl.ed.gov.  Click on the "Entrance and Exit Counseling" at the top of the page
2. In the "Exit Counseling" box, click on the "Go" button.
3. Enter all required information; then click "Submit." 
4. Please take your time and follow the rest of the instructions and requirements.  It will take about 20 minutes to complete.
5. There are test questions which must be answered.

 

If you have FFELP loans, loans with a specific bank or lender, please follow these instructions:

1. Go to http://mappingyourfuture.org/oslc/counseling/index.cfm?act=Intro&OslcTypeID=2
2. Step 1 –  Select "Pennsylvania," and click "Continue"
3. Step 1 – Select "Messiah College," and click "Continue"
4. Please take your time and follow the rest of the instructions and requirements. It will take about 20 minutes to complete.
5. There are test questions which must be answered in each section.
6. You may print your Confirmation page and keep a copy for your records.  (Messiah College does NOT need this, we receive the information electronically.)

 

If you have Federal Stafford Loans from both FFEL and Direct Loan programs, you must complete Loan Exit Counseling at:  http://mappingyourfuture.org/oslc/counseling/index.cfm?act=Intro&OslcTypeID=2

 

OR

 

1. 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. 

   

OR

 

1. During a specified period of time (usually in April), the Loan Exit Counseling videotape will run continually on channel 13 of the campus network. 

 

OR

 

1. Philadelphia students can see Katherine Nicely to view the video tape.
   
   

What else is required before I leave campus?
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.