Federal Direct Loans

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program is the largest federal student loan program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is the lender.

Students must be enrolled in and attending at least 6 credit hours/semester to be eligible for Federal Direct Loans.

Cloud County Community College does not participate in alternative loan programs such as Sallie Mae or personal bank loans. Please visit the Federal Student Aid website for additional loan information.

CCCC requires the student to complete a FAFSA before originating all loans. Entrance Counseling, a signed Loan Agreement (MPN), and the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement are required under the federal default-reduction regulations before disbursing the loan funds. Exit Counseling is required shortly before the student borrower ceases at least half-time study at CCCC. This includes graduates and transfer students.

Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans

Direct Subsidized Loans: For undergraduate students who have financial need; US Department of Education pays the interest while the borrower is in school and during grace and deferment periods. The 2021-2022 Subsidized Loan Interest Rate is 3.73%.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans: For undergraduate, graduate, and professional students; financial need is not required; borrower is responsible for all interest. The 2021-2022 Unsubsidized Loan Interest Rate is 5.28%.

Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loan Limits:

Credits Hours Earned

Dependent Student Subsidized + Unsubsidized

Independent Student Subsidized + Unsubsidized

First Year (Freshman)

0-29

$3,500 + $2,000 =

Annual Limit $5,500

$3,500 + $6,000 =

Annual Limit $9,500

Second Year (Sophomore)

30+

$4,500 + $2,000 =

Annual Limit $6,500

$4,500 + $6,000 =

Annual Limit $10,500

Aggregate Loan Limits
Student Type	Total Aggregate Limit	Maximum Subsidized Limit Within the Aggregate
Dependent Student	$31,000	$23,000
Dependent Student whose parent is ineligible for PLUS	$57,500	$23,000
Independent Undergraduate Student	$57,500	$23,000

These amounts are based on full time enrollment status and all federal aid may not exceed the school’s budget or cost of attendance. The annual maximum loan amount an undergraduate student may receive must be prorated when the borrower is enrolled in a program that is one academic year or more in length, but is in a remaining period of study that is shorter than a full academic year.

For repayment calculator please visit www.studentloans.gov.

Direct PLUS Loans

Parents of dependent undergraduate students can use funds to help pay for college or career school; financial need is not required; borrower is responsible for all interest. Parent PLUS application is required to be completed.

Prepatory Coursework

Preparatory Coursework loans allow a student to attend CCCC and receive a Direct Loan for a maximum of one consecutive 12-month period to take pre-arranged program coursework required to gain admission to another college or university.

ATTENTION CLOUD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS:

You are not alone when it comes to Student Loans. Cloud County Community College has partnered with Inceptia, a division of National Student Loan Program (NSLP), to provide you with FREE assistance on your Federal student loan obligations to ensure successful, and comfortable, loan repayment. Inceptia's friendly customer representatives may reach out to you during your grace period to answer questions you have about your loan obligation and/or repayment options. They may also contact you if your loan(s) become delinquent.

Inceptia is NOT a collection agency

For additional resources including information on repayment options, please visit Inceptia's Student Loan Knowledge HQ website at HeroKnowl.org.