THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR STAFFORD LOANS OR PLUS LOANS
To apply for a Stafford or PLUS loan, graduate students must complete and submit the following information:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which may be accessed at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. First, you will need to obtain a pin number, if you do not already have one. Go to: www.pin.ed.gov.
- Fill out the Lehigh Graduate Student Financial Aid Application. You may pick up an application at the Financial Aid Office at the Barnett House, 218 W. Packer Avenue. Please use care when filling out the Graduate Student application. All of the information requested is necessary for your application and loan(s) to be processed.
- Student's and spouse’s signed federal tax returns, with all schedules and W2s, or a Non-Filer's Statement, if tax return will not be filed.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Entrance Loan Counseling - Students who borrow under the Federal Stafford Loan program or the Graduate PLUS Loan program for the first time are required to complete an Entrance Counseling Session. Whether the student is receiving subsidized, unsubsidized and/or Graduate PLUS loan funds this counseling session need only to be completed once. This session ensures that you fully understand your rights and obligations as a student loan borrower. Whether you are receiving a subsidized, unsubsidized and/or Graduate PLUS loan, it cannot be disbursed to your account until this requirement has been completed.
If you have never had a Stafford Loan before or if you are borrowing from a new lender, you will need to fill out a Master Promissory Note (MPN) which is good for 10 years. You may complete the Master Promissory Note online or the Master Promissory Note will be sent to you by your lender.
Stafford Master Promissory Note (Application) - Compare and select a lender and complete a loan application. You have the right to select a lender that is not displayed on the list. You can find other lenders by clicking the “Search For Other Lenders” link located in the right margin of the web page. Be sure to electronically sign (e-sign) the application/promissory note to take advantage of the most efficient way to deliver the funds to the student’s account. As part of the process, Lehigh University Office of Financial Aid will certify enrollment, cost of attendance, and other aid received. Since the lenders reserve the right to change or discontinue loan programs at any time without notice we suggest that you contact the lender directly to review the benefits and fees you may receive.
Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note (Application) - Compare and select a lender and complete a loan application. You have the right to select a lender that is not displayed on the list. You can find other lenders by clicking the “Search For Other Lenders” link located in the right margin of the web page. Be sure to electronically sign (e-sign) the application/promissory note to take advantage of the most efficient way to deliver the funds to the student’s account. As part of the process, Lehigh University Office of Financial Aid will certify enrollment, cost of attendance, and other aid received. Since the lenders reserve the right to change or discontinue loan programs at any time without notice we suggest that you contact the lender directly to review the benefits and fees you may receive.
Alternative Loan Application - Compare and select a lender and complete a loan application. You have the right to select a lender that is not displayed on the list. You can find other lenders by clicking the “Search For Other Lenders” link located in the right margin of the web page. Be sure to electronically sign (e-sign) the application to take advantage of the most efficient way to deliver the funds to the student’s account. As part of the process, Lehigh University Office of Financial Aid will certify enrollment, cost of attendance, and other aid received. Since the lenders reserve the right to change or discontinue loan programs at any time without notice we suggest that you contact the lender directly to review the benefits and fees you may receive.
