Loan Types & Policies
Loan Types
Loans are the only form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. Although loans are an option for financing the cost of higher education, it is important to exhaust other financial aid options such as grants and scholarships before considering loans. It is also important to be an informed and responsible borrower.
West Georgia Technical College participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, which provides assistance to all eligible students regardless of financial need and other private educational loans.
Federal Direct Loan Programs
The Federal Direct Loan is composed of two loan programs: direct subsidized and direct unsubsidized loans. These loan programs have the same interest rates, repayment and deferment options, but there are some differences.
Direct Subsidized Loans
These loans are available to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a direct subsidized loan:
• while you’re in school at least half-time,
• for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period) and
• during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
These loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students without a requirement of demonstrated financial need.
• You are responsible for paying the interest on a direct unsubsidized loan during all periods.
• If you choose not to pay the interest while you are in school and during grace, deferment, or forbearance periods, your interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan).
Interest Rates
The interest rates on Federal Direct Loans are set every July 1. Updated information regarding interest rates on federal Direct Loans is available on the Federal Student Aid website.
How Much Can You Borrow?
There are limits on the amount in subsidized and unsubsidized loans that you may be eligible to borrow each academic year and over a lifetime from the Federal Direct Loan. The annual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year may be less than the annual loan limit based on your cost of attendance, dependency status and other financial aid. The charts below reflect the annual and aggregate lifetime loan.
| Annual Federal Direct Loan Limits | ||||
| Dependency Status |
Class |
Annual Limit Subsidized Loan | Annual Limit
Unsubsidized Loan |
Total Annual Limit |
| Dependent | Freshman | $3,500 | $2,000 | $5,500 |
| Sophomore | $4,500 | $2,000 | $6,500 | |
| Independent | Freshman | $3,500 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| $4,500 | $6,000 | $10,500 | ||
| Aggregate Lifetime Federal Direct Loan Limits
|
|||
|
Dependency Status |
Maximum Subsidized Loan |
Maximum Unsubsidized Loan |
Combined Subsidized/Unsubsidized Lifetime Limit |
|
Dependent |
$23,000 |
$8,000 |
$31,000 (no more than $23,000 in subsidized loans) |
|
Independent |
$23,000 |
$34,500 |
$57,500 (no more than $23,000 in subsidized loans) |
How Much Should I Borrow?
As a general rule, do not accumulate more student loan debt than your expected starting salary when you leave college. You should aim for a student loan payment that does not exceed 10 percent of your monthly take-home pay. To estimate how much you should borrow, use a student loan affordability calculator, such as this one on NerdWallet.
How to Apply for a Federal Direct Loan
To receive a Federal Direct Loan, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Financial Aid Office will use the information from your FAFSA to determine which loan programs (subsidized or unsubsidized) you are eligible to receive. You will need to complete loan entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before loan funds can be disbursed. These requirements can be satisfied on the Federal Student Aid website. Borrowers are also encouraged to complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment to remain informed of their status.
Effective fall term 2022, Students must check BannerWeb for their offered loan award and must accept/decline loan awards through BannerWeb. Funds will not be disbursed to a student’s account without being accepted.
TO VIEW, ACCEPT, Decline a Federal Direct Student Loan
| Step 1: | Access your BannerWeb account at https://westgatech.okta.com |
| Step 2: | Select Enter BannerWeb |
| Step 3: | Enter your Username (ID # at upper right) and Password (first time users please refer to West Georgia Technical College Admission Letter for Login Instructions. |
| Step 4: | Select the Student Services & Financial Aid tab at the top of the page |
| Step 5: | Select Financial Aid |
| Step 6: | Select My Award Information |
| Step 7: | Click Award by Aid Year |
| Step 8: | Select Aid Year from drop down box; example (Fall 2022 – Summer 2023) and submit |
| Step 9: | Carefully review the information provided under each tab. Accept “Terms and Conditions” then select “Accept Award Offer” tab to accept, decline, or partially accept the loan award offered
· To accept the full amount shown, click on the drop down box by each loan fund offered and choose “Accept” · To decline the full amount shown, click on the drop down box by each loan fund offered and choose “Decline” · To accept an amount less than the offered amount, go to the next column and enter the amount you wish to accept for each loan program · Confirm your decision by clicking the “Submit” button |
Private/Alternative Loans
Private student loans are non-federal loans, made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, state agency, or a school. They are different from federal student loans in that they are not guaranteed by the federal government, require a credit check, often require a co-signer, have higher interest rates and have a separate repayment from federal loans. Terms and conditions on private loans vary by lender. West Georgia Technical College encourages students to exhaust lower-interest federal loans before considering private loan options. See a comparison between federal and private loans. Selecting a private education loan can be a daunting task. We suggest you research the loans and the lender to find the best interest rate and terms of your loan.
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 requires institutions to develop and comply with a code of conduct that prevent conflicts of interest by financial aid personnel and to ensure the actions of staff are in the best interest of students. To this end, West Georgia Technical College will certify any private loan from any lender chosen by the student. The Financial Aid Office will certify your eligibility upon receiving a lender certification request. Private loans are disbursed directly to West Georgia Technical College and will be applied directly to your student account. Refund of excess private loan funds will be made in the same manner as with other aid.
Student Access Loan
Student Access Loan (SAL) is a state-funded loan program administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) for eligible students attending an eligible University System of Georgia (USG), Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), or private postsecondary institution in Georgia. The Student Access Loan is a 1 percent fixed-rate loan designed to assist undergraduate and technical college students who have a gap in meeting their educational costs. Unlike Federal Direct and Private Educational Loan programs, Student Access Loan funding is limited, and there is an application deadline. After the application deadline, potential recipients are randomly selected until funding is exhausted. Individual colleges/universities will certify their selected students' eligibility. Applying or being selected for a Student Access Loan does not guarantee your approval. For more information on SAL visit GAFutures.org.