Financial Aid Links

Financial Aid Student Guide
Published by the U.S. Department of Education. Available in print from PCC Financial Aid offices and high school counselors, or on the web.
 
FAFSA: Free Application For Student Aid

To get started, complete and send the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each school year (fall through summer at PCC).

You can pick up an application at any PCC Financial Aid office, or you may want to try FAFSA on the web, a great online method of applying for federal financial aid.

FAFSA: Espanol

 

Federal Student Aid PIN
Apply for a PIN and wait to receive it before you file your FAFSA on the web. Also, used to sign MPN (Master Promissory Note)
ELM Resources
Track your Stafford loan online.
The Financial Aid Page
This web site is a free, comprehensive, independent, and objective guide to student financial aid:

Stafford Loan Lender List

The lender list will give information and access for signing your Master Promissory Note with your federal PIN. Portland Community College is providing a list of lenders, however, Portland Community College will certify a loan application from any participating Stafford Loan lender you choose.
 
PLUS Loans are for parents or stepparents of dependent students. Portland Community College is providing a list of lenders, however, Portland Community College will certify a loan application from any participating PLUS Loan lender you choose.

Stafford Debt Management Counseling

 
All students borrowing Stafford Loans for the first time at PCC are required to complete student debt management counseling. This must be completed before the loan can be certified.
Stafford Debt Management
 

Stafford Loan Exit Counseling

One of the obligations of a Stafford Loan borrower is to complete an exit counseling session before graduation, transferring, dropping below half-time status (six credits) or withdrawing from Portland Community College. You will learn about status changes that must be reported to the lender or loan servicer. Loan refinancing and loan consolidation are also explained and deferment, forbearance, and cancellation provisions will be reviewed.
On-line (English)
On-line (Espanola)
 
Loan Consolidation
 
Deferments/Forbearance
Having difficulty making payments? Check this site out.
Information and forms for deferments. Deferments can be a temporary postponement of loan payments that must be approved by the lender. To print a deferment form, click on appropriate link under the Form column. Forbearance is permission to postpone repaying loan principal. Interest continues to accrue, even on subsidized loans.
 
Cancellation and Forgiveness
Possible loan cancellation/loan forgiveness options.
Stafford loan repayment calculator

Calculators for savings, student loan debt, salary wizard and many more
 
NSLDS
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) web site will tell you about your federal loans and grants.
Federal Perkins Loan Debt Counseling
All Perkins/Nursing loan borrowers must complete debt (entrance) counseling.
Edwise
Figure out how much to borrow and when to pay it back. Consult this easy-to-use personal financial planning tool. You get clear and concise budgeting information.