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    How to Pay for College > Financial Aid 101 > Financial Aid and Sources of Aid > Student Loans > First Student Loan

First Student Loan

Application Instructions

If you’re borrowing money for the time at SFCC, follow the steps below to complete your loan application. If you have transfer credits that you believe make you a second year student, you must complete our second year certification form instead.

Step 1: Entrance Counseling

Since this is your first time receiving a Direct Loan, the Federal Government requires you to complete entrance counseling. This process helps to ensure that you understand the responsibilities and obligations you assume by taking out a loan.

Get started now with Entrance Counseling

Step 2: Master Promissory Note

The subsidized/unsubsidized Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your federal student loans and any accrued interest and fees to your lender or loan holder.

Note: There are two MPN forms. One for student loans and a different one for Parent (PLUS) loans. If you’re looking for the Parent (PLUS) MPN form, visit our PLUS Loan page.

You will need:

  1. Your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID that you used to complete your FAFSA.

  2. Federal PIN number.

  3. Complete address and phone numbers of two references.

Master Promissory Note (MPN) Directions

Step 3: Exit Counseling

The Department of Education requires you to complete exit counseling to ensure reinforce the details of your loan and your commitment to repay. 

Complete your Exit Counseling

What Can I Expect After My Application is Complete?

When your loan application is completed, the Financial Aid Office will process your loan request. If approved, you will receive a revised Financial Aid Notification containing the loan amount.

  • This information can also be found in your ctcLink Student Center.

  • Your student loans are entered in 'Offered' status. You must log in to your ctcLink Student Center to accept or decline them. The amount of loans you accept will be added to your overall loan indebtedness under your current Master Promissory Note (your agreement to repay).

  • By accepting loan disbursements, you acknowledge understanding and receipt of loan money.

Your Direct Loan Servicer will send you a disclosure that includes the disbursement dates.

  • In most cases, loan proceeds are disbursed by the quarter; the total loan amount is divided into equal disbursements.

  • First time borrowers in their first quarter of their program will experience a 30-day delay before their first disbursement. his will be for loan funds only and not include grants.

One-quarter-only loans will be disbursed in two parts, the second half at mid-quarter.