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Federal Stafford Loan Application  

Students must complete a Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to borrowing from the Federal Stafford Loan Program for the first time. Unlike other loan applications, the MPN does not need to be completed each year as it is a multi-year document. However, a previous borrower may need to complete the MPN again if a significant amount of time has passed since he/she last borrowed.

 

Application Requirements

Students who have applied for financial aid and have been offered a subsidized or unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan may need to complete the Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note. If you have been offered a Stafford Loan, please read the following instructions carefully in order to determine if it is necessary for you to complete an MPN.


First-time Borrowers
If you have not previously borrowed from the Federal Stafford Loan Program, you will need to select a lender from the Preferred Stafford Lender List and complete the MPN on your lender's website by following the links provided. You will also need to complete a Stafford Loan Entrance Interview.

Previous Borrowers
If you have previously borrowed from the Federal Stafford Loan Program but did not borrow a Stafford during the prior academic year, you will need to complete a new MPN. For instance, if you have been offered a Stafford Loan for 2007-08 but you did not borrow a Stafford during the 2006-07 academic year, you will need to complete a new MPN. You do not need to select a new lender, however: You should continue to use the same lender you used previously. If you are uncertain who your lender was, please contact a counselor in the Office of Financial Aid. If you are not sure if you borrowed a Stafford during the prior academic year, you can check your account on CAESAR.

If you did borrow from the Federal Stafford Loan Program during the prior academic year, you do not need to complete another MPN. Simply sign and return your award notice to the Office of Financial Aid, indicating the amount of Stafford you wish to borrow, and we will process your Stafford Loan in that amount.


If you are uncertain as to which of the above categories you belong, please check your Financial Aid "To Do" Items on CAESAR. Here you will be able to see if you are required to complete an MPN and/or a Stafford Loan Entrance Interview.

If you have not applied for need-based financial aid but are interested in borrowing an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, you must first complete a FAFSA in order to determine if you have any subsidized eligibility. Do not complete the MPN until you have received an award notice indicating your Stafford Loan eligibility.

 

Application Instructions

The Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note should be completed online. Select a lender from the Preferred Stafford Lender List and follow the link provided to complete the MPN on your chosen lender's website. You must use the links provided to access the MPN online.

Note that the Master Promissory Note does not ask for a loan amount or loan period. This is because it is designed to serve as a promissory note for both current and future Stafford borrowing. Each year, the Office of Financial Aid will process your Stafford Loan for the amount which you have indicated you wish to borrow. You may notify us of your acceptance of the loan by signing and returning your Financial Aid Award Notice. If a mid-year adjustment results in increased Stafford eligibility after your initial loan has been processed, you must confirm your acceptance of the additional amount before we will process the increase.

If you wish to borrow from a lender that is not on the Preferred Lender List, you will need to complete a paper MPN and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid. Do not complete a paper MPN if you are selecting a preferred lender.

Click here to download the application:

Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note PDF file

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print this document, which is in Portable Document Format (PDF). This free software is available for download from the Adobe website.

 

When completing the paper Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note, please follow these instructions:


  USE INK!!!
  Complete the entire Borrower's Section (Items 1-17). For items that do not require a response, be sure to carefully read the terms to which you are agreeing. Do not forget to sign and date the form at the bottom. The Master Promissory Note must be signed by the student. A parent signature is not acceptable.
  You must fill in the Driver's License Number (Item 6). If you don't have a driver's license, write "N/A". Do not leave the field blank.
  You must fill in the Lender Name, Address and Code (Items 8-9). If you have previously applied for a Stafford you should continue to use the same lender, as this facilitates repayment.
  Each of your References (Item 10) must have a different U.S. address. A P.O. Box address may only be used if mail delivery is in a rural area. This section must be completed fully.
  Item 12 is applicable only to Unsubsidized Stafford Loan amounts. Interest charges will begin immediately upon loan disbursement, and must either be paid or capitalized (added to principal). If you do not respond, your unsubsidized interest will automatically be capitalized. This will increase your total loan debt, as interest will accumulate upon interest. This does not apply to any Subsidized Stafford Loan amounts borrowed.
 

Return your completed MPN to the Office of Financial Aid. See Contact Information for our address.


 

For more information regarding the Federal Stafford Loan Program, including loan fees and interest rates, please consult Components of an Aid Package - Loan Programs.

 

 


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Last updated 04/15/2008 World Wide Web Disclaimer and University Policy Statements © 2006 Northwestern University