Ensure your loans are properly disbursed (applied to your Calvin account) by completing the following steps.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans
  1. Go to https://studentaid.gov
  2. Click the blue "LOG IN" box.
    • To log in, you will need your FSA ID, which you used when you completed your FAFSA. If you don’t know your FSA ID, then click "Create an FSA ID". This will allow you to either look up your FSA ID and password or create one.
  3. Complete your Master Promissory Note
    • Click on "Complete Master Promissory Note" and follow the instructions there.
    • You will receive immediate confirmation that your Master Promissory Note has been received and accepted. Print a copy of your Master Promissory Note for your records.
  4. Complete your entrance counseling
    • Click on "Complete Entrance Counseling" and follow the instructions there.
    • Complete the entrance counseling tutorial and entrance counseling quiz. The results of your quiz will be retrieved by Calvin’s Financial Aid Office.
Accept loans

Target Date: Once enrolled

  • Complete and accept your loans to tell us which loans you plan to use (your WorkDay login is required).

Important terms

Subsidized loans
Won't accrue interest while you are enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours), in deferment (postponed with approval) or in your grace period.
Unsubsidized loans
Accrue interest while you're in school. Interest payments are not mandatory while you're in school, but any interest accrued will turn into principal once the loan is in repayment.
Disbursement
Payment of the loan to your tuition, room & board account at Calvin. Federal student loans, Federal PLUS and Private Loans will be disbursed directly to the student's tuition account in two installments. Disbursements are split equally between the fall and spring semesters. With proper arrangements, uneven disbursements of a Federal PLUS or Private Loan can occur to account for significant differences in costs between one semester versus the other (enrollment in an off-campus semester, etc).
Promissory note
Binding legal document that MUST be signed by the student for a student loan. It lists conditions, rights and responsibilities of borrowing and repayment. Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans must only be signed once (Master Promissory Note).
Co-signer
For private loans, this is the person who will be responsible for making payments if the primary borrower becomes unable or unwilling to make payments on the loan. A parent, spouse, or other relative may be a good candidate for co-signing. All of our alternative loan preferred lenders strongly suggest a co-signer in order to obtain the best interest rates and repayment terms possible.
Deferment
A period when repayment of the principal and interest of your loan is delayed. Most educational loans can be deferred while a student is enrolled in a college/university at least half time.

Leaving Calvin?

If you discontinue your education for any reason, you must contact the office of financial aid regarding your loans. You must also complete exit loan counseling.

Contact

If you wish to reduce or cancel your loan(s) or wish to sign a paper promissory note instead of the electronic note, please contact our office.