Entrance Counseling

The Federal Student Aid on StudentAid.gov has Entrance Counseling resources to empower you throughout your financial aid journey.

If you choose to received your 1^st Direct Subsidized or Direct Unsubsidized Loan as an undergraduate then Entrance Counseling will be required. Also, Entrance Counseling applies if you receive your 1^st Direct PLUS Loan as a graduate student. The Federal Student Aid’s Entrance Counseling is about 20 to 30 minutes long and it ensures that you understand the responsibilities that come from taking out a federal student loan.

The Entrance Counseling Overviews the following:[1]

1.      Estimate the Cost of Your Education (an interactive tool) - to provide a detailed, estimated breakdown of your cost of attendance

2.       How Much You Can Expect to Borrow - explains how interest accrues and features an interactive tool that estimates how much debt you can expect to have at the end of your program

3.       Prepare for Repayment After School - provides you with pertinent student loan repayment information, including your projected net and gross salary, estimated monthly payment amount, and recommended maximum monthly payment amount.

At the end of completing the entrance counseling modules, you can download or print a summary of your entrance counseling session.

Tip: Also, check your current college’s financial aid department and inquiry if they too provide entrance and as well as exit counseling. Be smart with your money!

Remember: Grants are free money and Loans you would need to payback with interest.

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 [1], HOMEROOM. Keeping the Promise: Enhanced Entrance and Exit Counseling on StudentAid.gov, February 22, 2021

https://blog.ed.gov/2021/02/keeping-promise-enhanced-entrance-exit-counseling-studentaid-gov/#more-29614