Stafford Loan Application Instructions
Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for the Stafford Loan program.
The type (subsidized or unsubsidized) and amount of Stafford Loan for which a student is eligible depends upon your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your academic level. Annual limits are available here.
Students applying for federal financial aid may also be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. The award range for 2011-12 is $555-$5,550. More information regarding the Pell Grant program is available here.
Stafford borrowers must apply for the Direct Stafford Loan on the Department of Education's website and electronically sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a multi-year document and does not need to be completed every year.
Instructions are provided below for first-time borrowers and for previous borrowers.
First-time Borrower Instructions
- Inform the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid that you wish to borrow from the Stafford Loan Program.
- Students who apply for need-based financial aid will automatically be considered for the Stafford Loan program.
- Those who do not wish to apply for need-based aid but who want to borrow a Stafford Loan must complete a FAFSA to determine eligibility.
- Accept your loan on your financial aid award.
The award notice will indicate your Stafford Loan eligibility. You can accept the loan and indicate the amount you wish to borrow via CAESAR. - Complete the MPN at the Direct Loan website.
You will need to electronically sign the MPN at www.studentloans.gov. Under Master Promissory Note, please select "Complete a Master Promissory Note". You will then need to select "Subsidized/Unsubsidized" on the MPN Type Selection page. You will be guided through a 4-step process and will receive confirmation upon successful completion of your MPN. You will need the PIN used to complete your FAFSA which is issued by the Department of Education to sign-in to the site and to sign your MPN. Be prepared to include 2 references and your driver's license number. (If you completed a paper FAFSA and do not have a PIN you may request one www.pin.ed.gov.) On your application, be sure to only select "NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - G01739 633 CLARK STREET, EVANSTON, IL 602080001." Each year, the Office of Financial Aid will process your Stafford Loan for the amount that you have accepted on your financial aid award. - Complete the Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov.
Select "Complete Entrance Counseling" on the main page, and select "I am completing entrance counseling in order to receive loans as an undergraduate student." Be sure to select "NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - G01739 633 CLARK STREET, EVANSTON, IL 602080001."when selecting your school name. - The Office of Financial Aid will process the Stafford Loan.
Previous Borrower Instructions
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Complete the MPN at the Direct Loan website. Please check your "To-Do List" via CAESAR to ensure all required loan materials have been completed and received by the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid. If you received a Stafford Loan at Northwestern University in a previous academic year, you will not need to complete another MPN. (If you have not received a Stafford loan in previous academic years, please review the first-time borrower instructions above.) Each year, the Office of Financial Aid will process your Stafford Loan for the amount that you have accepted on your financial aid award.
- Complete the Entrance Counseling. If you received a Stafford Loan at Northwestern University in a previous academic year, you will not need to complete another entrance interview. (If you have not received a Stafford loan in previous academic years, please review the first-time borrower instructions above.)
- The Office of Financial Aid will process your Stafford Loan you have accepted on your award.
Northwestern University's Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid adheres to the Code of Conduct as established by the Higher Education Opportunity Act as well as the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' (NASFAA) Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals. View Northwestern University's Financial Aid Code of Conduct.
