Students and their parents can apply for separate federal loans to help pay for the cost of the student’s college. To maintain loan eligibility, students must show satisfactory academic progress (minimum credit-hour enrollment and grade point average).
For those who wish to pursue loans, the Financial Aid Office reminds students/parents about their repayment responsibilities regarding their student/parent loan debt. Please be cognizant of your loan balances, recognize the requirements and responsibilities surrounding loan debt, and make quality decisions regarding your debt burden. Routinely check with your lenders to ensure you remain in good standing. Remember, you can always access your federal loan information and servicer of your loan, look at repayment plan options and other information at and log-in and it should take you to your personal 'dashboard' that will show all your personal financial aid/loan information.
Federally-administered student loans are called Direct Stafford Loans. When you apply for one of these loans, you enter into a contract with the federal government. You will not receive money if you do not complete each step.
DISBURSEMENTS: All loans must be disbursed in two payments, one at the beginning of the loan period, and the other at the mid-point of the loan period. For example, a loan made only for spring semester will be disbursed in two payments: one at the start of the semester and a second at the mid-point of the semester. Additionally, first time loan borrowers must be enrolled for 30 days before the first loan disbursement can be released and loans for students who drop below half-time enrollment before disbursement will have their loans cancelled. For more information see on our Policies page.
You will be responsible for these steps later:
Parents can apply for Direct PLUS Loans from the federal government. Repayment begins after the second loan disbursement (usually the beginning of the second semester of classes). When you apply for one of these loans, you enter into a contract with the federal government. Your student will not receive money if you do not complete each step.
If your student returns to Northwest for a second year, you will need to resubmit the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Request Form.