JO B# 2044-1053801 DATE:11-7- PMS193 PMS1235

w w w . s t u d e n t a i d . e d . g o v
UPDATE ALERT! At the time this guide was published, Congress was evaluating the laws that govern the Federal Student 

Aid (FSA) programs. Some information might have changed since this publication was printed. To find out, check our online 

version of the guide at www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs or talk to the financial aid administrator at the postsecondary school(s) 

you’re considering attending.

Useful Web Sites

Our improved Web site, now called Student Aid on the Web, allows you to find more information on federal student aid, 

access FAFSA on the Web (the online version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA]), obtain a PIN (needed 

to apply electronically), or look up the status of your federal student loan. You can access federal student aid publications 

(in English and Spanish). You can even use the site to help you decide on a career and locate schools that offer majors 

in that field. Then “tour” various schools and apply to them online without leaving the site.

With the feature, “MyFSA,” you can create a personalized folder to record your interests, career and college searches, 

and any relevant personal information. Track your progress in the college planning and application process, 

pre-populate fields on the FAFSA before applying, and compare financial aid award letters when deciding on a final 

school. For this and much more, visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.studentaid.ed.gov

Help completing the FAFSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa

Direct Loan Web site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ed.gov/DirectLoan

U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook 

(information on various careers and their potential earnings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bls.gov/oco

Frequently Requested Telephone Numbers

General information about the federal student aid programs, assistance in completing the FAFSA, and information 

about FAFSA on the Web are available through the Federal Student Aid Information Center (see page 13 for more 

information on the Center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–800–4–FED–AID (1–800–433–3243) TTY users (for the hearing-impaired) can call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–800–730–8913

 Callers in locations without access to 800 numbers may call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–319–337–5665

 (this is not a toll free number)

To report fraud, waste, or abuse involving federal student aid funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–800–MIS–USED 

 (1–800–647–8733)

Information on the Direct Consolidation Loan Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–800–557–7392

 TTY users can call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–800–557–7395
Contents

Federal Student Aid at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Finding Out About Student Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

 Student Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

 Financial Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

 Special Circumstances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

 Dependency Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

 Applying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

 Deadlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

 The Federal Student Aid Information Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Types of Federal Student Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

 Federal Pell Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

 Campus-Based Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

 Federal Work-Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

 Federal Perkins Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

 FFEL and Direct Loan Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

 Stafford Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

 PLUS Loans (Loans to Parents). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

 Consolidation Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

Borrower Responsibilities and Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Important Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

GUIDE The Student
The Student Guide is free.

If you paid for a copy of this publication, please write to the following address and give us the name and address 

of the organization that charged you.

 Federal Student Aid Information Center

 P.O. Box 84

 Washington, DC 20044-0084

The English and Spanish versions of The Student Guide are also available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs.

Applying for federal student aid is also free, and you can get free help to complete your application, if you need 

it (see page 11). 
1

This guide explains student financial aid programs 

the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student 

Aid (FSA) office administers. The first three pages are 

a quick reference; the rest of the publication provides 

more of what you need to know.

Approximately two-thirds of all student financial aid 

comes from the federal programs you’ll read about 

here. For additional nonfederal sources of financial aid, 

talk to the financial aid administrator at the school 

you plan to attend. Also, visit the library and check 

out the Internet, in both cases searching under “financial aid” and “student aid.”

Beware of scams and services that will search for financial 

aid money for you for a fee. A law protects you from this 

type of fraud (see page 5 for more information).

Applying for student aid is free; that’s why the application you use is called the Free Application for Federal 

Student Aid (FAFSA). If you need help completing the 

FAFSA, you can get that help free, too. You don’t have 

to pay anyone for assistance.

WHAT is federal 

student aid?

• It’s financial help if you’re enrolled in an eligible 

program* at a school participating in our federal 

student aid programs. (By “school,” we mean a fouryear or two-year public or private educational institution, a career school, or a trade school.) 

• Aid covers school expenses, including tuition and 

fees, room and board, books and supplies, and 

transportation. 

• Our aid is based on a student’s demonstrated 

financial need, rather than on grades. 

There are three categories of federal student aid:

GRANTS...financial aid you don’t have to repay. 

Generally, you must be an undergraduate student, and 

the amount you receive depends on your need, cost 

of attendance,* and enrollment status (full time or 

part time).

• Federal Pell Grants for the 2003-2004 award 

year (July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004) ranged 

from $400 to $4,050.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity 

Grants (FSEOGs) range from $100 to $4,000.

WORK-STUDY... money you earn while enrolled in 

school that will help pay your educational expenses. 

The Federal Work-Study Program encourages community service work and work related to your course 

of study, whenever possible. You can be an undergraduate or graduate student.

LOANS...borrowed money you must repay with interest. You can be an undergraduate or graduate student. Parents may also borrow to pay the education 

expenses of their dependent undergraduate students. 

Maximum loan amounts depend on your grade level 

in school. 

Federal Perkins Loans are offered by participating 

schools to students who demonstrate the greatest 

financial need (Federal Pell Grant recipients get top 

priority). You repay the loan to your school.

Stafford Loans are made to students and PLUS loans 

are made to parents through two loan programs:

• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) 

Program: Eligible students and parents borrow 

directly from the federal government at participating schools. Direct Loans consist of Direct Stafford 

Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation 

Loans. You repay these loans to us (the U.S. 

Department of Education).

• Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program: 

Private lenders provide federally guaranteed funds. 

FFELs consist of Federal Stafford Loans, Federal 

PLUS Loans, and Federal Consolidation Loans. 

You repay these loans to the bank or other private 

lender that made you the loan.

at a glance Federal Student Aid 

*See “Important Terms,” page 29. 

(You’ll see words new to you but frequently used in discussing financial aid. 

These words appear in boldface type with an asterisk [*], and you’ll find a 

description of them under “Important Terms,” beginning on page 29.)

NOTE: Not all schools participate in all our student aid programs. Check 

with your school’s financial aid office to see which programs are available.
2

WHO gets federal 

student aid?

Some of our eligibility requirements are that 

you must

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen* with

a valid Social Security Number.

• Demonstrate by one of the following means that 

you are qualified to obtain a postsecondary education: 

 n Have a high school diploma or a General 

 Education Development (GED) Certificate.* 

 n Pass an approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test. 

 n Meet other standards your state establishes that 

 we have approved. 

 n Complete a high school education in a home 

 school setting approved under state law. 

• Enroll in an eligible program* as a regular 

student* seeking a degree or certificate.

• Register (or have registered) with the Selective 

Service if you’re a male between 18 and 25.

A complete list of eligibility requirements is 

on page 7.

HOW do you apply for 

federal student aid?

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal 

Student Aid (FAFSA) —the online version 

(FAFSA on the Web) or the paper FAFSA.

• For FAFSA on the Web, you can go to www.fafsa.ed.gov 

(or to www.studentaid.ed.gov and get general student 

aid information as well).

• You can get a paper FAFSA from 

 n a high school guidance office,

 n a college financial aid office,

 n a local public library, or 

 n our Federal Student Aid Information Center 

by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

You can apply beginning January 1, 2004, and you have 

until June 30, 2005 to submit your FAFSA. But, be sure 

to check the FAFSA for the list of deadlines for state aid. 

Schools and states often set deadlines early in the calendar year that you must meet to receive certain types of 

funds. Apply as early as you can; you don’t want to miss 

out on any source of aid!

2. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Based on whether you submitted a paper or an electronic FAFSA, we’ll send you either a paper SAR or an 

electronic SAR, via the Internet. The SAR confirms the 

information reported on your FAFSA and will contain 

your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC 

is a measure of your family’s financial strength and is 

used to determine your eligibility for federal student 

aid. To receive your aid, you must have a complete 

and correct SAR.

3. Contact the school(s) you might attend.

Talk with the financial aid office staff at the school(s) 

you’re interested in attending. Make sure they have 

all the information they need to determine your 

eligibility. The financial aid administrator will review 

your SAR, and if you’re eligible, will prepare a letter 

outlining the amount of aid (from all sources) the 

school will offer you.

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
3

Federal Student 

Aid Summary

The following is a summary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs that will help 

you pay for school. Check with your school to find out which programs your school participates in.

Federal Student Aid 

Program

Type of Aid Program Details Annual Maximum 

Award Limits

Federal Pell Grant Grant: does not have to be 

repaid

Available almost exclusively 

to undergraduates; all eligible 

students will receive the 

Federal Pell Grant amounts 

they qualify for

$4,050 for 2003-04; 2004-05 

amount will depend on program funding

Federal Supplemental 

Educational Opportunity 

Grant (FSEOG)

Grant: does not have to be 

repaid

For undergraduates with 

exceptional financial need; 

priority is given to Federal 

Pell Grant recipients; funds 

depend on availability at 

school

$4,000

Federal Work-Study Money is earned while attending school; does not have to 

be repaid

For undergraduate and graduate students; jobs can be on 

campus or off campus; 

students are paid at least minimum wage

No annual maximum

Federal Perkins Loan Loan: must be repaid Five percent loans for both 

undergraduate and graduate 

students; payment is owed to 

the school that made the loan

$4,000 for undergraduate 

students; $6,000 for graduate 

students

Subsidized FFEL or Direct 

Stafford Loan 

Loan: must be repaid Subsidized: U.S. Department 

of Education pays interest 

while borrower is in school 

and during grace and deferment periods

$2,625 to $8,500, depending 

on grade level

Unsubsidized FFEL or 

Direct Stafford Loan

Loan: must be repaid Unsubsidized: Borrower is 

responsible for interest during 

life of the loan

$2,625 to $18,500, depending 

on grade level (includes any 

subsidized amounts received 

for the same period)

Federal PLUS Loan Loan: must be repaid Available to parents of dependent undergraduate students

Cost of attendance minus any 

other financial aid the student 

receives
4

After reviewing this publication, if you still have 

questions about our programs, you can go online to 

www.studentaid.ed.gov, our Web site that provides 

comprehensive information on the student aid process and links to other student aid-related sites. (See 

the inside cover of this publication for more information on this site.) Or, you can call our Federal 

Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID 

(1-800-433-3243).

The cost of education or training after high school continues to rise, so you need to learn about as many sources of aid as you can. The following free resources can 

help you find out about federal and other student aid:

• The financial aid administrator at each school 

you’re interested in can explain the school’s aid 

programs and the total cost of attendance.*

• The state higher education agency in your home 

state can give you information about state aid—

including aid from the Leveraging Educational 

Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program, funded 

jointly by states and us.

• The AmeriCorps Program provides full-time 

educational awards in return for work in community service. You can work before, during, or 

after your postsecondary education, and you can 

use the funds either to pay current educational 

expenses or to repay federal student loans. For 

more information on the availability of these 

awards, call 1-800-942-2677. The TTY number is 

1-800-833-3722. Information is also available at 

www.americorps.org. 

• The agency in your state responsible for public elementary and secondary schools can give 

you information on the Robert C. Byrd Honors 

Scholarship Program (Byrd Program). You must 

demonstrate outstanding academic achievement 

and show promise of continued academic excellence. For more information, call 1-800-4-FED-AID 

(1-800-433-3243) or visit www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/

HEP/idues/byrd.html.

• Students.gov, the student Internet gateway to the 

U.S. government, provides access to government 

resources to help you plan and pay for your education. Besides finding financial aid information, you 

can use the Web site to file your taxes, search for a 

job, and take advantage of other government services.

• Public libraries are an excellent source of information on state and private sources of aid.

• Many companies and labor unions have programs 

to help pay the cost of postsecondary education for 

employees and/or their children.

• Foundations, religious organizations, fraternities or 

sororities, and town or city clubs often offer financial assistance. Include in your search community 

organizations and civic groups such as the American 

Legion, YMCA, 4-H Club, Elks, Kiwanis, Jaycees, and 

the Girl or Boy Scouts.

• Organizations connected with your field of interest 

can be helpful—for example, the American Medical 

Association and the American Bar Association are 

good sources for students seeking specialization in 

those fields.

• The U.S. Armed Forces also offer financial aid 

opportunities. For more information on recruitment 

incentives, visit the U.S. Department of Defense 

Defenselink Web site at www.todaysmilitary.com. 

Under “What Do You Need?,” select “Learn about 

benefits and rewards,” and go to “College Help.” 

You can also contact your local recruiter.

• Your local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs office 

offers assistance. If you (or your spouse) are a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, veterans’ educational benefits may be available. Information is also 

available through the Internet at www.gibill.va.gov 

or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).

Student Aid Finding Out About

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
5

Another Warning . . . 

About Identity Theft

Besides being careful about scholarship scams, you 

need to be aware of identity theft. What does that 

have to do with you, a student who doesn’t have a 

lot of money or assets? Identity thieves don’t steal 

money; they steal your name and ruin your credit. 

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains personally 

identifying information about you, such as your Social 

Security Number and driver’s license number, and uses 

your name to obtain credit cards, loans (including 

student loans), or merchandise and services in your 

name. Identity thieves often run up thousands of dollars in credit card debt, just to name one problem, and 

the bills come to you for payment. Your credit rating is 

likely to be ruined; even though it’s not your fault, you 

are the one who has to clear up the damage, and that 

can take months or even years.

How can this happen? It might occur just because you 

use a personal computer for online banking transactions, for buying merchandise, or purchasing tickets 

for travel or other services. Sometimes just using a cell 

phone or using your Social Security Number for identification can leave you at risk. Why? Each of these 

transactions requires you to share personal information such as your bank and credit card numbers or 

your name, address, and phone number. Sometimes, 

this information can fall into the wrong hands.

What can you do about it? 

• Don’t just toss credit card applications you don’t 

want; destroy them beforehand so no one can 

retrieve an application and apply for a credit card in 

your name.

• Be sure you safeguard your Social Security Number. 

You generally have to provide it to your employer 

or your bank, but if a business wants it, ask why it’s 

needed and how it will be used before you give it out.

• Never give personal or financial information over the 

phone or the Internet unless you initiated the contact.

• If you decide to apply for our federal student aid programs over the Internet, do so at www.fafsa.ed.gov or 

through www.studentaid.ed.gov, which are our Web 

sites and are protected. Keep your student identifier, 

your PIN number (see page 9), in a secure place and 

don’t give it to anyone.

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers two federal 

income tax credits (dollar-for-dollar reductions in tax 

liability) for higher education expenses. 

 n The Hope tax credit, worth up to $1,500 per 

 student, is available for first- and second-year 

 students enrolled at least half time.* 

 n The Lifetime Learning tax credit is a tax benefit 

equal to 20 percent of a family’s tuition expenses, 

 up to $10,000, for virtually any postsecondary 

 education and training, including subsequent 

 undergraduate years, graduate and professional 

 schools, and even less-than-half-time* study. 

For more information on the Hope and Lifetime 

Learning tax credits, and other tax benefits for postsecondary students, go to www.irs.gov. IRS Publication 

970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education, which explains 

these credits and other tax benefits, is available 

online. Or, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. TTY callers 

can call 1-800-829-4059.

• The Internet also has information on private sources 

of aid. Search under the keywords “financial aid,” 

“student aid,” “scholarships,” etc.

Scholarship Scams

Be careful when searching for information on student financial assistance. Make sure information 

and offers are legitimate. Don’t fall prey to fraud. 

Estimates show that families lose millions of dollars 

to scholarship fraud every year.

The College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act enhances protection against fraud in student financial assistance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cautions 

students to look for these telltale lines:

• “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money 

back.”

• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”

• “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”

• “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to 

receive a scholarship” or “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.

To file a complaint, or for free information, call 1-877-

FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The TTY number is 1-866

653-4261. Or, visit www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.cams. 

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
6

These are just a few of the basic steps you can take. 

For more information, you can contact the FTC, the 

agency we’ve mentioned above, at this Web site: 

www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Or, call 1-877-IDTHEFT 

(1-877-438-4338). To find out how you can prevent 

problems that would affect your federal student 

aid, call 1-800-MIS-USED (1-800-647-8733) or go to 

www.ed.gov/misused.
7

Student Eligibility

To receive aid from any federal student aid program 

discussed in this publication, you must meet the 

following criteria:

• Demonstrate financial need, except for some loan 

programs.

• Demonstrate by one of the following means that you 

are qualified to enroll in postsecondary education:

 n Have a high school diploma or a General 

 n Education Development (GED) Certificate.*

 n Pass an approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test. 

 n Meet other standards your state establishes 

 that we have approved. 

 n Complete a high school education in a home 

 school setting approved under state law. 

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular

student* working toward a degree or certificate in 

an eligible program.* (You may not receive aid 

for correspondence or telecommunications courses 

unless they are part of an associate’s, bachelor’s, or 

graduate degree program.)

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.*

• Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you’re 

from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the 

Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of 

Palau). If you need a Social Security Number, you 

can find out more about applying for one through 

the Internet at www.ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. 

TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

• Meet satisfactory academic progress* standards 

set by the postsecondary school you are or will 

be attending.

• Certify that you will use federal student aid only for 

educational purposes and certify that you are not in 

default* on a federal student loan and do not owe 

money on a federal student grant (which could happen if you withdraw from school, for example).

• Comply with Selective Service registration,* if 

required. If you’re a male aged 18 through 25, and 

you haven’t yet registered, you can give the Selective 

Service permission to register you by checking a 

box on the FAFSA. You can also register through the 

Internet at www.sss.gov or call 1-847-688-6888. TTY 

users can call 1-847-688-2567.

The law suspends aid eligibility for students convicted 

under federal or state law of selling or possessing 

illegal drugs. If you have a conviction or convictions 

for these offenses, you need to find out how this law 

applies to you. You can call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-

433-3243) for information or go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, 

click on “Worksheets” in the left column, then select 

“Drug Worksheet.” Even if you’re ineligible for federal 

aid, you should complete the FAFSA because schools 

and states use the information in awarding nonfederal 

aid. You must complete Question 31 of the FAFSA; if 

you leave it blank, you’ll automatically become ineligible for federal student aid.

Incarcerated students have limited eligibility for federal 

student aid. Such students are not eligible for aid under 

any of the federal student loan programs. An incarcerated student is eligible for a Pell Grant only if he or she 

is not incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution.

When you apply for aid from FSA programs, we verify 

some of your information with certain federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (for 

verification of Social Security Numbers and U.S. citizenship status). If the information doesn’t “match,” 

the discrepancy will have to be resolved for you to 

receive aid. In addition to other agencies, we also 

check your records against our database, the National 

Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)* for verification 

that you don’t have a defaulted federal student loan, 

didn’t receive an overpayment on a federal grant or a 

Federal Perkins Loan, and haven’t borrowed more than 

the total limit allowed.

Information General 

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
8

NOTE: The financial aid administrator puts together a financial aid 

package* that comes as close as possible to meeting your need. Because 

most funds are limited, though, the total amount awarded to you might 

fall short of the amount you’re eligible for. Also, except for Federal Pell 

Grant aid, the amount of federal student aid you receive is affected 

by other sources of aid you might get—scholarships, state aid, etc. 

Each school you’re interested in will send you a notice of the types and 

amounts of aid you’re eligible for.

Financial Need

Aid from most of the programs discussed in this 

publication is awarded on the basis of financial need 

(except for unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans—

see page 19).

Need is based on the following equation:

 Cost of Attendance*

— Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

= Financial Need

The information you report on the Free Application for 

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to calculate your 

EFC, which is a measure of your family’s financial 

strength. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility 

for federal student aid. The formula for the EFC calculation is established by law.

If your EFC is below a certain number, you’ll be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming you meet all 

other eligibility requirements (see page 7). The EFC is 

used to determine eligibility for other federal student 

aid programs, but there isn’t a maximum EFC eligibility threshold for those programs. (See pages 14 through 

26 for information on these programs.) 

You can get worksheets that show how the EFC is 

calculated by downloading them from our Web site 

at www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs. Click on the award 

year appropriate to you under “The EFC Formula.” You 

can also get the worksheets by contacting the Federal 

Student Aid Information Center at the address or 

phone number given on page 13.

Special Circumstances

Although the formula used to determine eligibility for 

federal student aid is basically the same for all applicants, there is some flexibility.

In some cases, your financial aid administrator might 

adjust your cost of attendance* or the information 

used to calculate your EFC to take into account special 

circumstances you might have. These circumstances 

could include your family’s unusual medical expenses, 

tuition expenses, or unemployment. 

There must be compelling reasons for the financial 

aid administrator to take this step, however, and 

you’ll have to provide adequate documentation to 

support any adjustments. Note that the financial aid 

administrator’s decision as to whether you have special 

circumstances is final and can’t be appealed to us.

Dependency Status

When you apply for federal student aid, your answers 

to the questions in Step 3 of the FAFSA (or in Step 2 

of the online FAFSA, FAFSA on the Web) will determine 

whether you’re considered dependent on your parents 

or independent. If you’re considered dependent, you 

must report on the FAFSA your parents’ income and 

assets as well as your own. If you’re independent, you’ll 

report only your own income and assets (and those of 

your spouse, if you’re married). Not living with your 

parents or not being claimed by them on their tax form 

does not determine your dependency status.

For the 2004-2005 academic year, you’re an independent 

student if at least one of the following applies to you:

• You were born before January 1, 1981.

• You’re married as of the day you apply (or separated 

but not divorced).

• You are or will be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate 

program (beyond a bachelor’s degree) at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year.

• You have children who receive more than half their 

support from you.

• You have dependents (other than your children or 

spouse) who live with you and who receive more 

than half their support from you and will continue 

to receive more than half their support from you 

through June 30, 2005.

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
9

The CPS will process your application in three to 

five days, provided you (and your parents, if applicable) have provided electronic signatures (see the 

PIN discussion below).

The paper FAFSA. If you don’t have Internet access, 

you can get a paper FAFSA from your high school, 

local library, postsecondary school, or from the Federal 

Student Aid Information Center at the address or 

phone number given on page 13. Mail the FAFSA in 

the pre-addressed envelope that’s in your FAFSA packet. Your application will be processed in two to four 

weeks. Or, before mailing it, you could check to see if 

your school, or a school that interests you, will submit 

your FAFSA information electronically. 

I’ve heard about a PIN. What is it and what is 

it used for?

A PIN is an electronic access code number that serves 

as your identifier. A PIN lets you access your personal 

federal student aid information online in various U.S. 

Department of Education systems. 

If you apply using FAFSA on the Web, having a PIN 

allows you (and your parents, if they have a PIN and 

you’re a dependent student) to “sign” your FAFSA electronically, which means the student aid process can be 

completed totally online. FAFSA on the Web filers who 

are new applicants (and their parents, if applicable) 

can request a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. 

You should get a PIN before completing FAFSA on the 

Web, so you (and your parents, if applicable) can electronically sign your application before it’s submitted. 

If you don’t request a PIN, you can always print out, 

sign, and mail in a signature page within 15 days of 

submitting your FAFSA, but the application process 

will take longer. 

• Both your parents are deceased, or you are or were 

(until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court.

• You’re a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. (A “veteran” includes students who attended a U.S. service 

academy and who were released under a condition 

other than dishonorable. For more detail on who is 

considered a veteran, see the explanatory notes on 

the FAFSA.)

In unusual cases, an aid administrator can determine 

that a student who doesn’t meet the above criteria 

should still be treated as an independent student. The 

financial aid administrator can change your dependency status from dependent to independent based on 

adequate documentation of your special circumstances 

that you must provide. But, the aid administrator 

won’t automatically do this. The decision is based on 

the aid administrator’s judgment and is final—you 

can’t appeal that decision to us.

Applying

How do I apply?

If you applied for federal student aid for the 2003-2004 

school year, you can probably file a 2004-2005 Renewal 

FAFSA. Renewal FAFSAs are discussed on page 10.

If you didn’t file for 2003-04, you’ll submit the 2004-

2005 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—

either through the Internet (using FAFSA on the Web) 

or by completing a paper FAFSA. 

FAFSA on the Web. You can apply by going to 

www.fafsa.ed.gov. Or, you can access FAFSA on the Web

by going to www.studentaid.ed.gov. At that site, click 

on the FAFSA logo in the left column.

We recommend using FAFSA on the Web, if possible: 

• FAFSA on the Web immediately identifies potential 

errors and prompts you to make on-the-spot corrections. 

• You get online instructions for each question, and 

you can “chat” live online with a customer service 

representative if you have further questions.

• Once you submit your application, your information goes immediately into the U.S. Department of 

Education’s Central Processing System (CPS). (You’ll 

know this because you’ll get a confirmation right 

away when you click on “Submit My FAFSA Now.”) 

NOTE: You must reapply for federal student aid every year. Also, if 

you change schools, your aid doesn’t automatically transfer with you. 

Check with your new school to find out what you must do to continue 

receiving aid.
10

Even if you file electronically and don’t request a PIN, 

or even if you file a paper FAFSA, you’ll receive a PIN 

if certain personal data (see below) matches the Social 

Security Administration’s records. A PIN has other uses 

besides signing an application electronically. You can 

use your PIN to

• access your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is your 

processed FAFSA data;

• make corrections to your application information;

• electronically sign a master promissory note* for a 

federal student loan;

• complete a Renewal FAFSA; and

• access your applicant data records online. You can, 

among other things, check your student loan history through our National Student Loan Data 

System (NSLDS)* and access your Direct Loan 

account through Direct Loan Servicing.

When requesting a PIN, you’ll need to provide your 

name (as it appears on your Social Security card), your 

Social Security Number, date of birth, and mailing 

address. After that information has been verified with 

the Social Security Administration’s records, a PIN will 

be generated. If you provide an e-mail address, you’ll 

get an e-mail response that contains a link to your 

PIN. If you don’t provide an e-mail address, you’ll get 

your PIN through regular mail.

Your PIN not only serves as your electronic signature 

(which has the same legal status as a written signature), 

it provides access to your personal records, so don’t give 

your PIN to anyone. Be sure to remember your PIN; you’ll 

be able to use the same one for future electronic FAFSAs 

and federal student aid records access.

What if I have questions about the PIN?

You can get answers about the PIN process by 

going to www.pin.ed.gov. Or, you can go to 

www.studentaid.ed.gov. At this site, click on “Get Your 

PIN” in the left column, right above the FAFSA logo. 

Or, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information 

Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID.

Can I request a PIN from the Federal Student 

Aid Information Center?

No, you can only request a PIN by going online.

I applied for federal student aid in 2003-2004. 

Can I use a Renewal FAFSA?

Yes. Using a Renewal FAFSA means you’ll have fewer 

questions to answer than if you applied with a new 

application, because most of the Renewal FAFSA will 

be filled in with information you provided on your 

2003-2004 application. You’ll only have to update any 

information that has changed since 2003-2004 and fill 

in a few new answers.

Depending on several factors, you’ll receive either a 

paper Renewal FAFSA for 2004-2005 or a reminder 

notice that it’s time to reapply for federal student aid. 

If you get a reminder notice, you’ll use a PIN to access 

your Renewal FAFSA on the Web, and you’ll apply electronically. When reapplying for aid, review the information that’s on the form, add what needs to be filled 

in or changed, sign it, and submit it. You’ll receive 

either the paper Renewal FAFSA or the reminder notice 

in November or December 2003, but you can’t submit 

your application before January 1, 2004 (see page 11).

Check with your financial aid administrator if you 

have questions about the Renewal FAFSA or contact 

the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the 

address or toll-free number listed on page 13.

What information do I need to complete a 

FAFSA accurately?

You’ll need the following:

• Your Social Security Number (can be found on your 

Social Security card) 

• Your W-2 Forms and other records of money earned 

• Your 2003 Federal Income Tax Return (and that of 

your spouse, if you’re married)1

• Your parents’ 2003 Federal Income Tax Return (if 

you’re a dependent student)1

• Any foreign tax return or tax return from Puerto 

Rico

• Your 2003 untaxed income records—Social Security, 

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or 

veterans benefits records, for example 

• Your 2003 bank statements 

1 If you (or your parents, if you’re a dependent student according 

to the FAFSA questions) are eligible for the Earned Income Credit, 

make sure you get it by filing a tax return. Also, by filing, you’ll 

have an accurate record of your earnings.

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
11

• Your 2003 business and investment mortgage information; business and farm records; and stock, bond, 

and other investment records 

• Your alien registration card (if you are not a 

U.S. citizen) 

As you fill out the FAFSA, read the instructions carefully! Most mistakes are made because applicants don’t 

follow instructions. Pay special attention to questions 

on income; most errors occur in that area.

Photocopy your application (or print out a copy of 

your FAFSA on the Web application) so you’ll have a 

copy for your records. Save all other records and materials used to complete the FAFSA because you might 

need them later to prove the information you reported 

is correct. The process of documenting your information is called verification. If verification is required, 

and you don’t provide the proof your school requests, 

you won’t receive aid from our programs, and you 

might not receive aid from other sources.

What if I need help filling out my application?

If you apply using FAFSA on the Web, help is built into 

the program. You can get help live online as well.

You can also go to www.studentaid.ed.gov/

completefafsa. 

You can contact the Federal Student Aid Information 

Center with questions on either the paper or electronic FAFSA (see page 13 for contact information). Or, 

contact your high school guidance counselor or your 

postsecondary school’s financial aid office. Remember, 

you can get the help you need for free from one of 

these sources; you don’t have to pay for assistance.

Will I need to fill out forms in addition to the 

FAFSA to receive aid?

The FAFSA (or Renewal FAFSA) is the only form you 

need for federal student aid. To be considered for nonfederal aid, such as aid from your school or a private 

scholarship, you might have to fill out additional 

forms. Check with the various schools you’re considering about their forms and make sure you know the 

deadlines for applying.

Parents who want to apply for a PLUS Loan will have 

to complete different forms (see page 24).

When do I apply for federal aid?

You can apply beginning January 1, 2004. If you apply 

before this date, your FAFSA will be rejected. You 

should apply as early in 2004 as you can. Try to have 

the necessary 2003 income tax returns finished (see 

the previous page) because you can complete the FAFSA 

more easily and accurately. If you submit your application before you complete a tax return, you’ll have to 

make corrections later if your income or tax information 

isn’t accurate, which will delay the application process. 

Also, you’ll have to return any federal aid you received 

based on incorrect information.

How do I know if my application has 

been received?

If you applied through FAFSA on the Web, you’ll get 

a confirmation notice after you click on “Submit My 

FAFSA Now.”

If you submitted a paper FAFSA and you want confirmation it was received, send in the postcard that 

comes with the application. Just fill in the required 

information and mail it along with the FAFSA. (Don’t 

forget the postage!) When the FAFSA processor receives 

your application, the postcard will be stamped with 

the date it’s received and mailed back to you for your 

files. If you don’t hear anything about your application 

within four weeks of the date stamped on the postcard, 

you can check the status through the FAFSA on the Web 

site (www.fafsa.ed.gov). You can also check by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center.

What happens after I apply?

You’ll receive one of the following within a range of 

a few days to four weeks, depending on whether you 

applied electronically or mailed in a paper FAFSA:

• A Student Aid Report (SAR), if you applied using 

the paper FAFSA and didn’t provide a valid e-mail 

address; or 

• A SAR Information Acknowledgement, if you applied 

using FAFSA on the Web but didn’t provide a valid 

e-mail address, or 

• An e-mail containing a secure link so you can access 

your SAR on the Web, if you provided a valid e-mail 

address when you applied. If you have a “blocked” 

folder in your e-mail files, check it. The e-mail from 

us might come there instead of to your inbox.
12

If you’re a dependent student, you applied electronically, and your parents provided their e-mail address, 

they will also receive an e-mail when your FAFSA has 

been processed. They won’t receive your data, but 

they’ll know your status. If either you or they forgot to 

sign your FAFSA, the e-mail your parents receive will 

include information about how to sign.

Your SAR (in whatever form) will list all the information you reported on your FAFSA. If there are no corrections or additional information required, the SAR 

will contain your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), 

the number used in determining your eligibility for 

federal student aid. (See page 8.) Your EFC will appear in 

the upper right-hand portion of your SAR. Whether you 

applied electronically or by paper, we will send your 

data electronically to the schools you list on the FAFSA.

What do I do with my SAR?

You must review it carefully to make sure it’s correct 

and complete. If it is, and it contains your Expected 

Family Contribution (EFC), your school will use your 

information to determine your eligibility for federal—

and possibly nonfederal—student aid funds.

If you need to make corrections to the SAR, you can 

do so in a number of ways:

• With your PIN, you can make corrections online 

through the Department of Education’s FAFSA on 

the Web site, even if you didn’t apply using FAFSA 

on the Web.

• Your school might be able to submit the corrections 

electronically. Check with your school.

• You can make corrections on the paper SAR (if 

you received one) and return it to the address provided. If you don’t have a copy of your SAR, you 

can request one by calling the Federal Student Aid 

Information Center using the toll-free number on 

the next page. 

Note that you can’t use a SAR Information 

Acknowledgement to make corrections (only to 

check the information reported). You’ll make your 

corrections using FAFSA on the Web.

You can change your address, change the schools you 

want to receive your FAFSA information, or change 

your answer to Question 31 (concerning a drug conviction) by calling the Federal Student Aid Information 

Center. You cannot make any other changes over the 

phone. To have the Federal Student Aid Information 

Center change your schools, you must provide your 

Data Release Number (DRN), located in the lower lefthand corner of the first few pages of the SAR.

Deadlines

Application Submission 

The application processor must receive your application by June 30, 2005, for the 2004-2005 school year. 

There are no exceptions to this deadline.

Schools and states often set deadlines early in the 

calendar year that students must meet to receive 

certain types of funds, including aid from the federal 

“campus-based” program funds (see page 14 for information on these programs). Make sure you know your 

school’s deadlines so you won’t miss out on any aid.

SAR Submission 

Your correct, complete application information must 

be at your school by your last day of enrollment in 

2004-2005 or by September 16, 2005, whichever is 

earlier (check with your school’s financial aid office). 

If your school hasn’t received your application information electronically, you must submit your SAR to 

the school by the deadline. Be sure you know your last 

day of enrollment in 2004-2005—it will probably be 

earlier than September 16.

NOTE: If you’re selected for verification (see page 11), additional deadlines 

apply to you. Your financial aid administrator can tell you what they are.
13

The Federal Student 

Aid Information Center

You can get information from the Center for free by 

calling this number: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Information specialists at this number can

• help you complete the FAFSA (either electronic 

or paper).

• answer your questions about a PIN.

• help you make corrections to your SAR.

• tell you whether a school participates in the federal 

student aid programs and tell you the school’s student 

loan default rate—that is, how many students who 

attended that school defaulted on their student loans.

• explain federal student aid eligibility requirements 

and other aspects of student aid.

• explain the process of determining financial need 

and awarding aid.

• have your application information sent to a specific 

school.

• send federal student aid publications to you.

You can use an automated response system at this 

number to find out if your FAFSA application has been 

processed and to request a copy of your SAR.

TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913.

Callers from locations that do not have access to 

800 numbers may call 1-319-337-5665. 

This is not a toll-free number.

You can also write to the Federal Student Aid 

Information Center at the following address:

Federal Student Aid Information Center

P.O. Box 84

Washington, DC 20044-0084

For a list of other frequently requested telephone 

numbers and Web sites, see the inside front cover 

of this guide.
14

Federal Pell Grants

What is a Federal Pell Grant?

Unlike a loan, it doesn’t have to be repaid. Generally, 

Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students—those who haven’t earned a bachelor’s or 

graduate degree. In some limited cases, however, you 

might receive a Pell Grant if you’re enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certificate program.

Pell Grants are usually a foundation of federal student 

aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal 

sources might be added. If you’re eligible for a Pell 

Grant, you’ll receive the full amount you qualify for.

How do I qualify?

As discussed on page 8, we use a standard formula, 

established by Congress, to evaluate the information 

you report when you apply. The formula produces an 

EFC number. Your SAR contains this number, in the 

upper right portion of page 1. This number will determine if you’re eligible and how much you can receive.

How much money can I get?

Pell Grants for the 2004-2005 award year (July 1, 2004 

to June 30, 2005) will depend on program funding. 

The maximum Pell Grant for the 2003-2004 award 

year was $4,050. How much you get will depend not 

only on your EFC but also on your cost of attendance,* 

whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, and 

whether you attend school for a full academic year*

or less. You may receive only one Pell Grant in an 

award year, and you may not receive Pell Grant funds 

from more than one school at a time.

How will I be paid?

Your school can credit the Pell Grant funds to your 

school account, pay you directly (usually by check), or 

combine these methods. The school must tell you in 

writing how and when you’ll be paid and how much 

your Pell Grant will be. Schools must pay you at least 

once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter).

Schools that don’t use formally defined, traditional 

terms must pay you at least twice per academic year.*

Can I receive a Federal Pell Grant if I’m 

enrolled less than half time?*

Yes, if you’re otherwise eligible. You won’t receive as 

much as if you were enrolled full time, however.

Campus-Based 

Programs

The three programs discussed in this section are called 

campus-based programs because they’re administered 

directly by the financial aid office at each participating school. Not all schools participate in all three 

programs. The Federal Supplemental Educational 

Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program awards grants; 

the Federal Work-Study Program offers jobs; and the 

Federal Perkins Loan Program provides low-interest 

loans. Even though each program is different, they 

have these characteristics in common:

• How much aid you receive depends on such factors 

as your financial need (see page 8), the amount 

of other aid you’ll receive, and the availability of 

funds at your school. Unlike the Federal Pell Grant 

Program, which provides every eligible student with 

funds, each school participating in any of the campusbased programs receives a certain amount of funds 

each year from the federal government for each program. When that money is gone, no more awards can 

be made from that program for that year.

• Each school sets its own deadlines for students to 

apply for campus-based funds. The deadlines will usually be earlier than our deadline for filing a FAFSA (for 

2004-2005, June 30, 2005). Check with the financial 

aid offices of the schools you’re interested in about 

their deadlines. You might miss out on aid from 

campus-based programs if you don’t apply early! 

Student Aid Types of Federal

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
15

Federal Supplemental Educational 

Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs)

What is a Federal Supplemental Educational 

Opportunity Grant?

An FSEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional 

financial need—that is, students with the lowest EFCs. 

Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell 

Grants. An FSEOG doesn’t have to be paid back.

What’s the difference between an FSEOG and a 

Federal Pell Grant?

Each school participating in the Federal Pell Grant 

Program will receive enough money to pay the Federal 

Pell Grant amounts its eligible students qualify for. 

Every eligible student might not receive an FSEOG, 

however; students at each school will be awarded these 

funds based on availability at that school.

How much money can I get?

Between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when 

you apply, your need, the funding level of the school 

you’re attending, and the policies of the financial aid 

office where you attend school.

How will I be paid?

Your school will credit your account, pay you directly 

(usually by check), or combine these methods. Schools 

must pay students at least once per term (semester, 

trimester, or quarter). Generally, schools that don’t use 

traditional terms must pay you at least twice during 

the academic year.*

Federal Work-Study 

What is Federal Work-Study?

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for 

undergraduate and graduate students with financial 

need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community 

service work and work related to each student’s course 

of study.

How much will I make?

You’ll earn at least the current federal minimum wage, 

but the amount might be higher depending on the type 

of work you do and the skills required. Your total Federal 

Work-Study award depends on when you apply, your 

level of need, and the funding level of your school. 

How will I be paid?

If you’re an undergraduate, you’ll be paid by the hour. 

If you’re a graduate student, you might be paid by the 

hour or you might receive a salary, depending on the 

work you do. Your school must pay you at least once a 

month. Also, your school must pay you directly, unless 

you request that the school make payments to your 

bank account or use the money to pay for your education-related institutional charges such as tuition, fees, 

and room and board.

Are Federal Work-Study jobs on campus or 

off campus?

Both. If you work on campus, you’ll usually work for 

your school. If you work off campus, your employer 

will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a 

public agency, and the work performed must be in 

the public interest. Some schools might have agreements with private for-profit employers for Federal 

Work-Study jobs. These jobs must be relevant to your 

course of study (to the maximum extent possible). If 

you attend a proprietary school, there might be further 

restrictions on the jobs you can be assigned.

Can I work as many hours as I want?

No. The amount you earn can’t exceed your total 

Federal Work-Study award. When assigning work hours, 

your employer or financial aid administrator will consider your class schedule and your academic progress.

Federal Perkins Loans 

What is a Federal Perkins Loan?

A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) 

loan for both undergraduate and graduate students 

with financial need. Your school is your lender. The 

loan is made with government funds, and your school 

contributes a share. You must repay this loan to your 

school, not to us.

How much can I borrow?

Depending on when you apply, your level of need, 

and the school’s funding level, you can borrow up to

• $4,000 for each year of undergraduate study (the 

total amount you can borrow as an undergraduate 

is $20,000).

• $6,000 for each year of graduate or professional 

study (the total amount you can borrow as a 

graduate/professional student is $40,000, including any Federal Perkins Loans you borrowed as 

an undergraduate).

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
16

Other than interest, is there any charge to get 

these loans?

A fee is involved for Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans 

(see page 20) but not for a Federal Perkins Loan. But, 

after you start to repay, if you skip a payment, make a 

payment late, or make less than a full payment, you 

might have to pay a late charge. If you continue not 

making payments as required, you will have to pay 

collection costs.

How will I be paid?

Your school will either pay you directly (usually 

by check) or credit your account. Generally, you’ll 

receive the loan in at least two payments during the 

academic year.*

Can I cancel the loan if I change my mind, 

even if I’ve signed the promissory note* agreeing 

to the loan’s terms?

Yes. Your school must notify you in writing whenever 

it credits your account with your Perkins Loan funds. 

You may cancel all or a portion of your loan if you 

inform your school within 14 days after the date your 

school sends you this notice, or by the first day of the 

payment period, whichever is later. (Your school can 

tell you the first day of your payment period.) If you 

receive Perkins Loan funds directly by check, you may 

refuse the funds by returning the check to the school.

When do I pay back this loan?

If you’re attending school at least half time,* you have 

nine months after you graduate, leave school, or drop 

below half time* status before you must begin repayment (those on active duty with the military might 

have longer than nine months). This period of time is 

called a grace period. If you’re attending less than half 

time,* check with your financial aid administrator to 

determine your grace period. 

At the end of the grace period, you must begin repaying 

your loan. You may be allowed up to 10 years to repay.

Military personnel called to active duty will have 

additional options to postpone repayment. The 

school that made the loan should be contacted for 

more information.

How much will I have to repay each month?

Your monthly payment amount will depend on the 

size of your debt and the length of your repayment 

period. The table below shows typical monthly payments and total interest charges for three different 

5-percent loans over a 10-year period.

Total Loan 

Amount

Number of 

Payments

Approximate 

Monthly Payment

Total Interest 

Charges

Total 

Repaid

$4,000 120 $42.43 $1,091.01 $5,091.01

$5,000 120 $53.03 $1,364.03 $6,364.03

$15,000 120 $159.10 $4,091.73 $19,091.73

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL PAYMENTS FOR PERKINS LOAN REPAYMENT

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
17

Are there any tax incentives available for 

paying back these loans?

Yes, there are tax incentives for certain higher education expenses, including a deduction for student loan 

interest for certain borrowers. This benefit applies 

to all loans used to pay for postsecondary education 

costs. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year. IRS 

Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education,

explains these credits and other tax benefits. You can 

find out more at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 

1-800-829-1040. TTY callers can call 1-800-829-4059.

Is it ever possible to postpone repayment of 

my Federal Perkins Loan?

Yes, under certain conditions, you can receive a “deferment” or “forbearance” on your loan, as long as the 

loan isn’t in default.* During a deferment, you’re 

allowed to temporarily postpone payments, and no 

interest accrues (accumulates). Look under “Perkins 

Loans” on the chart on page 28 for the list of deferments available. 

The school that made your loan must defer your Federal 

Perkins Loan(s) during periods where you perform a 

service that qualifies you for loan cancellation. (See the 

next page for a list of service cancellations.)

Deferments are not automatic. You must apply for one 

through your school, generally by using a deferment 

request form your school can give you. You must file 

your deferment request on time or you’ll pay a late 

charge. For more details on deferments, contact your 

school’s financial aid office.

If you temporarily can’t meet your repayment schedule but aren’t eligible for a deferment, you can receive 

forbearance for a limited and specific period. During 

forbearance, your payments are postponed or reduced. 

Interest continues to accrue, however, and you’re 

responsible for paying it.

Forbearance is not automatic either. You may be granted forbearance in intervals of up to 12 months at a 

time for up to 3 years. You must apply for forbearance 

to the school that made your loan or to the agency 

the school employs to service your loan. You’ll have 

to provide documentation to show why you should be 

granted forbearance.

You must continue making scheduled payments 

until you’re notified that deferment or forbearance 

has been granted. Otherwise, you could become 

delinquent or go into default.*

Is it ever possible to have my Federal Perkins 

Loan discharged (canceled)?

Yes. Federal Perkins Loans can be canceled if the borrower dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled, 

for example. A loan can also qualify for cancellation 

under certain other conditions, as long as you’re not in 

default.* See the table on the next page for the list of 

cancellation provisions. For more information, contact 

your financial aid office.

If you have any questions about the terms of your 

Federal Perkins Loan, check with the school that made 

you the loan. Only that school may grant deferment, 

forbearance, or cancellation, or make other decisions 

concerning your loan.

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.

17
18

1 As of October 7, 1998, all Perkins Loan borrowers are eligible for 

all cancellation benefits regardless of when the loan was made or 

the terms of the borrower’s promissory note.* However, this benefit is not retroactive to services performed before October 7, 1998.

2 Beginning July 1, 2002, if you are determined to be totally and 

permanently disabled based on a physician’s certification, you’ll 

have your loan placed in a conditional discharge period for three 

years. During this time, you don’t have to pay principal or interest. If you continue to meet the total-and-permanent disability 

requirements during, and at the end of, the three-year conditional 

period, your loan will be canceled. If you don’t continue to meet 

the cancellation requirements, you must resume payment. Total 

and permanent disability is defined as the inability to work and 

earn money because of an injury or illness that is expected to continue indefinitely or to result in death. You can’t qualify based on 

a condition that existed before the loan was made, unless a doctor 

certifies that the condition has substantially deteriorated. For more 

information on qualifying for this discharge, review your promissory note* and contact your loan holder.

Detailed information on teaching service cancellation/deferment 

options can be found at www.studentaid.ed.gov. At the site, click 

on “Repaying,” then on “Cancellation and Deferment Options 

for Teachers.”

FFEL and Direct 

Loan Programs

In addition to the Federal Perkins Loan Program (see 

page 15), we administer the Federal Family Education 

Loan (FFEL) Program and the William D. Ford Federal 

Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. Both the FFEL 

and Direct Loan programs consist of what are generally known as Stafford Loans (for undergraduate and 

graduate students) and PLUS Loans, for the parents of 

dependent undergraduates (see page 8 for a discussion 

of dependency status).

The main difference between FFEL and Direct Loans 

is that you receive FFEL funds from private lenders 

such as banks, credit unions, or other lenders that 

participate in the FFEL Program. Direct Loan funds 

come from us to your school, which delivers the loan 

proceeds to you. Often, a school will participate in just 

one or the other of these programs but sometimes will 

participate in both. You can receive both FFELs and 

Direct Loans, but not both types for the same period 

of enrollment at the same school.

You repay a FFEL to the private lender that made you 

the loan or to its designated agency. You repay a Direct 

Loan to us.

Cancellation Conditions Amount Forgiven

Borrower’s total and permanent disability2 or death 100%

Full-time teacher in a designated elementary or secondary school serving students from 

low-income families

Up to 100%

Full-time special education teacher (includes teaching children with disabilities in a public or other 

nonprofit elementary or secondary school) 

Up to 100%

Full-time qualified professional provider of early intervention services for the disabled Up to 100%

Full-time teacher of math, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, or other fields designated 

as teacher shortage areas

Up to 100%

Full-time employee of a public or nonprofit child- or family-services agency providing services to 

high-risk children and their families from low-income communities

Up to 100%

Full-time nurse or medical technician Up to 100%

Full-time law enforcement or corrections officer Up to 100%

Full-time staff member in the education component of a Head Start Program Up to 100%

Vista or Peace Corps volunteer Up to 70%

Service in the U.S. Armed Forces Up to 50% 

in areas of hostilities 

or imminent danger

Bankruptcy (in rare cases—cancellation is possible only if the bankruptcy court rules that repayment 

would cause undue hardship)

100%

Closed school (before student could complete program of study)—applies to loans received on or after 

January 1, 1986

100%

PERKINS DISCHARGE/CANCELLATION SUMMARY1

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
19

Stafford Loans 

What are Stafford Loans?

Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans have variable interest 

rates (unlike Federal Perkins Loans) and are for both 

undergraduate and graduate students. The loans you 

receive will be either subsidized or unsubsidized. 

• A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need (see page 8). You won’t be charged any 

interest before you begin repayment or during deferment periods (see page 22). The federal government 

“subsidizes” the interest during these periods.

• An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis 

of need. You’ll be charged interest from the time the 

loan is disbursed until it’s paid in full. If you allow 

the interest to accrue (accumulate) while you’re in 

school or during other periods of nonpayment, it will 

be capitalized. This means the interest will be added 

to the principal amount of your loan, and additional 

interest will be based on that higher amount.

Who can get a Stafford Loan?

If you’re a regular student* enrolled in an eligible 

program* at least half time,* you may receive a Direct 

or FFEL Stafford Loan. You must also meet other general eligibility requirements (see page 7).

How do I get this loan?

You apply using the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA (see 

“Applying,” page 9), just the way you would for other 

federal student aid. Then, you sign a promissory note* 

that you’ll get from your lender, for FFEL Stafford 

Loans, or from your school, for Direct Loans. The 

promissory note* is a binding legal document; when 

you sign it, you’re agreeing to repay your loan under 

certain terms. Read the note carefully and save it.

How much can I borrow?

The amounts you can borrow depend on your grade 

level in school and on the type of student you are: 

dependent undergraduate, independent undergraduate (or a dependent undergraduate whose parents are 

unable to get a PLUS Loan), or a graduate student. 

NOTE: If your interest is capitalized, it will increase the amount you have 

to repay. You can choose to pay the interest as it accumulates; if so, you’ll 

repay less in the long run.

NOTE: For periods of study shorter than an academic year,* the amounts you can borrow will be less than those listed. Also, you might 

receive less if you receive other financial aid that’s used to cover a portion of your cost of attendance.* 

Your school can refuse to certify your loan application or can certify a loan for an amount less than you would otherwise be eligible for 

if the school documents the reason for its action and explains the reason to you in writing. The school’s decision is final and cannot be 

appealed to us. 

Dependent 

Undergraduate Student

Independent

Undergraduate Student

Graduate/Professional 

Student

1st Year $2,625 $6,625—No more than $2,625 

of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$18,500—No more than $8,500 

of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

2nd Year $3,500 $7,500—No more than $3,500 

of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

3rd and 4th

Years (each)

$5,500 $10,500—No more than $5,500 

of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Maximum 

Total Debt 

from Stafford 

Loans When 

You Graduate

$23,000 $46,000—No more than $23,000 

of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$138,500—No more than 

$65,500 of this amount may 

be in subsidized loans. 

The graduate debt limit includes 

Stafford Loans received for

undergraduate study.

ANNUAL LOAN LIMITS FOR SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOANS

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
20

How will I receive my Stafford Loan?

Your school will disburse your loan in at least two 

installments; no installment will be greater than half 

the amount of your loan. 

Your loan money must first be used to pay for your 

tuition, fees, and room and board. If loan funds remain, 

you’ll receive them by check or in cash, unless you give 

the school written permission to hold the funds until 

later in the enrollment period.

If you’re a first-year undergraduate student and a firsttime borrower, your first disbursement can’t be made 

until 30 days after the first day of your enrollment 

period. That way, you won’t have to repay the loan 

if you withdraw during the first 30 days of classes. 

(However, you might owe money to the school for a 

portion of tuition or other fees.)

Can I cancel the loan if I change my mind, 

even if I’ve signed the promissory note* agreeing 

to the loan’s terms?

Yes. Your school must notify you in writing whenever 

it credits your account with your Stafford Loan funds. 

You may cancel all or a portion of your loan if you 

inform your school within 14 days after the date your 

school sends you this notice, or by the first day of the 

payment period, whichever is later. (Your school can 

tell you the first day of your payment period.) If you 

receive Stafford Loan funds directly by check, you may 

refuse the funds by returning the check.

What’s the interest rate on these loans?

The interest rate is variable (might change each year) 

but does not exceed 8.25 percent. For July 1, 2003 to 

June 30, 2004, the interest rate for loans in repayment 

was 3.42 percent. Interest rates are adjusted each year 

on July 1. You’ll be notified of interest rate changes 

throughout the life of your loan.

If you have subsidized loans (see page 19), you won’t 

be charged interest while you’re enrolled in school 

at least half time,* during a grace period, or during 

authorized periods of deferment (see page 22). Interest 

will accrue (accumulate) when you enter repayment or 

a period of forbearance (see page 22).

If you have unsubsidized loans, you’ll be charged 

interest from the day the loan is disbursed until it’s 

paid in full, including in-school, grace, deferment, and 

forbearance periods. You can pay the interest during 

these periods, or it can be capitalized (see page 19).

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.

Other than interest, is there any charge to get 

the loans?

You’ll pay a fee of up to 4 percent of the loan, deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement. (Part 

of the fee is for insurance used to pay off loan defaults; 

the rest reduces the cost of the loan to the government.) Because of this deduction, you’ll receive slightly 

less than the amount you’re borrowing.

When do I pay back these loans?1

After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half 

time* enrollment, you have a six-month grace period 

before you begin repayment. During the grace period 

on a subsidized loan, you don’t have to pay any principal, and you won’t be charged interest. During the 

grace period on an unsubsidized loan, you don’t have 

to pay any principal, but you will be charged interest. 

As mentioned, you can either pay the interest or it will 

be capitalized.

Your lender will send you information about repayment, and you’ll be notified of the date repayment 

begins. However, you’re responsible for beginning 

repayment on time, even if you don’t receive this 

information. Failing to make payments on your loan 

can lead to default.*

How do I pay back my Stafford Loans?

You’ll repay your FFEL Stafford Loan to a private 

lender or loan servicer. You’ll repay your Direct Loan 

to us at our Direct Loan Servicing Center. Direct Loan 

borrowers can view and pay their bills online, using 

their PIN, through the Servicing Center Web site: 

www.dl.ed.gov. (See page 9 for PIN information.)

Both the Direct Loan and FFEL programs offer four 

repayment plans you can choose from, but the terms 

differ slightly. You’ll receive more detailed information 

on your repayment options during entrance and exit 

counseling sessions. The chart on the next page shows 

estimated monthly payments for various loan amounts 

under each plan.

If you don’t choose a repayment plan when you first 

begin repayment, you’ll be placed under the Standard 

Repayment Plan. You can change plans to suit your 

financial circumstances. Under the FFEL Program, you 

can change plans once a year. Under the Direct Loan 

Program, you can change plans anytime.

1 Military personnel who have been called to active duty will

have additional deferment, forbearance, or other options. The

lender should be contacted for more information.
21

In some cases, it might be beneficial for you to combine one or more loans into a consolidation loan. See 

page 25 for more information on loan consolidation.

Direct Loans—The Direct Loan Program offers the 

following repayment plans:

• The Standard Repayment Plan: You pay a fixed 

amount each month—at least $50—for up to 10 

years, not including deferment and forbearance periods. The length of your repayment period depends 

on your loan amount.

• The Extended Repayment Plan: You repay your 

loan over a period that is generally 12 to 30 years, 

depending on your loan amount. Your monthly 

payment might be lower than under the Standard 

Repayment Plan, but you’ll repay a higher total 

amount of interest over the life of your loan because 

the repayment period is longer. The minimum 

monthly payment is $50.

• The Graduated Repayment Plan: Your payments will 

be lower at first and then increase, usually every two 

years. The length of your repayment period will generally range from 12 to 30 years, depending on your 

loan amount. Your monthly payments will never 

increase to more than 1.5 times what you’d pay 

under the Standard Repayment Plan. You’ll repay a 

higher total amount of interest, though, because the 

repayment period is longer than under the Standard 

Repayment Plan.

• The Income Contingent Repayment Plan: Your 

monthly payment is based on your yearly income, 

family size, interest rate, and loan amount. As your 

income rises or falls, so do your payments. After 

25 years, any remaining balance on the loan will 

be forgiven, but you’ll have to pay taxes on the 

amount forgiven.

FFEL Program—Under the FFEL Program, aspects of 

these repayment plans will vary by lender because 

individual lenders can tailor the plans. Check with 

your lender for complete information.

The FFEL Program also offers Standard and Graduated 

Repayment plans. In addition, these plans are available:

• The Income Sensitive Repayment Plan: Your 

monthly payment is based on your yearly income 

and your loan amount. As your income rises or falls, 

so do your payments. Each payment must at least 

equal the interest accrued (accumulated) on the loan 

between scheduled payments.

• The Extended Repayment Plan is available only to 

FFEL borrowers who received the first loan on or after 

October 7, 1998, and who have FFELs totaling more 

than $30,000. Under this plan, your payments will be 

fixed or graduated (lower at first and then increased 

over time) over a period of up to 25 years.

As is true with Direct Loans, spreading your payments 

out over time might mean lower monthly payments, 

but you’ll repay more because you’ll pay more interest.

1 Payments are calculated using the maximum interest rate of 8.25 percent for student borrowers. For July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004, the interest 

rate for loans in repayment was 3.42 percent. Interest rates are adjusted each year on July 1.

2 Equal and fixed monthly payments ($50 minimum).

3 Loan amounts below $31,000 apply only to Direct Loans.

4 Assumes a 5 percent annual income growth (Census Bureau).

5 HOH is Head of Household. Assumes a family size of two.

For Direct Loans Only: Income

Contingent4 (Income=$25,000)

Total Debt 

When Borrower

Enters Repayment

Standard2

Extended3

(20 years used 

as example)

Graduated

(20 years used 

as example)

Single Married/HOH5

Per 

Month

Total 

Repaid

Per 

Month

Total 

Repaid

Per 

Month

Total 

Repaid

Per 

Month

Total 

Repaid

Per 

Month

Total 

Repaid

$2,500 $50 $3,074 $50 $3,074 $25 $4,029 $21 $4,788 $20 $5,106

$5,000 $61 $7,359 $55 $7,893 $35 $8,649 $43 $9,576 $40 $10,212

$7,500 $92 $11,039 $82 $11,840 $53 $12,970 $64 $14,364 $60 $15,318

$10,000 $123 $14,718 $97 $17,463 $69 $19,175 $85 $19,152 $80 $20,424

$15,000 $184 $22,077 $146 $26,194 $103 $28,762 $128 $28,727 $121 $30,636

$31,000 $380 $45,627 $264 $63,394 $213 $68,854 $264 $59,370 $215 $66,087

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL PAYMENTS FOR DIRECT AND FFEL STAFFORD LOAN REPAYMENT PLANS1

(Monthly Payments and Total Repaid Under Different Repayment Plans)
22

Are there any tax incentives available for 

paying back these loans?

Yes, there are tax incentives for certain higher education expenses, including a deduction for student loan 

interest for certain borrowers. This benefit applies to 

all loans taken out to pay for postsecondary education costs. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year. 

IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education,

explains these credits and other tax benefits. You can 

find out more at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 

1-800-829-1040. TTY callers can call 1-800-829-4059.

Is it ever possible to postpone repayment of 

my loan?

Yes, under certain conditions, you can receive a “deferment” or “forbearance” on your loan, as long as the 

loan isn’t in default.* A deferment allows you to temporarily postpone payments on your loan. If you have 

a subsidized loan, you won’t be charged interest during the deferment. If your loan is unsubsidized, you’ll 

be responsible for the interest. You can pay the interest 

as it accrues (accumulates), or it will be capitalized and 

the amount you’ll have to repay will increase (see page 

19). See page 28 for the list of deferments available for 

loans disbursed on or after July 1, 1993.

For information on deferments available on loans 

received before that date, FFEL Stafford borrowers 

should contact the lenders or agencies holding the 

loans. Direct Stafford Loan borrowers can contact the 

Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-848-0979. TTY 

users can call 1-800-848-0983. Or, you can go online at 

www.dl.ed.gov.

If you’re temporarily unable to meet your repayment 

schedule, but you’re not eligible for a deferment, your 

lender might grant you forbearance for a limited and 

specified period. During forbearance, your payments 

are postponed or reduced. Whether your loans are 

subsidized or unsubsidized, you’ll be charged interest 

during a period of forbearance. If you don’t pay the 

interest as it accrues, it will be capitalized.

Deferment and forbearance are not automatic. If you 

have a Direct Stafford Loan, you must contact the 

Direct Loan Servicing Center to request either option. 

If you have a FFEL Stafford Loan, you must contact the 

lender or agency that holds your loan. You might have 

to provide documentation to support your request. 

You must continue making scheduled payments 

until you’re notified that the deferment or forbearance has been granted. Not making payments on 

your loan will have a negative effect on your credit rating, and your loan could go into default.*

Is it ever possible to have my Stafford Loan 

discharged (canceled)?

Yes, in certain circumstances. A discharge releases you 

from all obligations to repay the loan. A complete list 

of cancellation provisions is given on the next page. 

Your loan can’t be canceled because you didn’t complete the program of study at the school (unless you 

couldn’t complete the program for a valid reason—

because the school closed, for example). Cancellation 

also is not possible because you didn’t like the school 

or the program of study, or you didn’t obtain employment after completing the program of study.

For more information about discharge, Direct Stafford 

Loan borrowers should contact the Direct Loan 

Servicing Center. FFEL Stafford Loan borrowers should 

contact the lenders or agencies holding their loans.

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
23

1 Beginning July 1, 2002, if you are determined to be totally and permanently disabled based on a physician’s certification, you’ll have your 

loan placed in a conditional discharge period for three years. During this time, you don’t have to pay principal or interest. If you continue 

to meet the total-and-permanent disability requirements during, and at the end of, the three-year conditional period, your loan will be canceled. If you don’t continue to meet the cancellation requirements, you must resume payment. Total and permanent disability is defined as 

the inability to work and earn money because of an injury or illness that is expected to continue indefinitely or to result in death. You can’t 

qualify based on a condition that existed before the loan was made, unless a doctor certifies that the condition has substantially deteriorated. For more information on qualifying for this discharge, review your promissory note* and contact your loan holder.

Cancellation Conditions Amount Forgiven Notes

Borrower’s total and permanent disability1

or death

100% For a PLUS Loan, includes death but not disability of the student for whom the parents 

borrowed.

Full-time teacher for five consecutive years in 

a designated elementary or secondary school 

serving students from low-income families

Up to $5,000 of the aggregate loan amount 

that is outstanding after completion of the 

fifth year of teaching.

A borrower might qualify for loan forgiveness 

under the Direct and FFEL Consolidation 

Loan programs. If so, only the portion 

of the consolidation loan used to repay 

Direct Stafford Loans or FFEL Stafford 

Loans qualifies.

For Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans received 

on or after October 1, 1998, by a borrower 

with no outstanding loan balance as of 

that date. At least one of the five consecutive years of teaching must occur after the 

1997-98 academic year. (To find out whether 

your school is considered a low-income 

school, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov. Click on 

“Repaying,” then click on “Cancellation and 

Deferment Options for Teachers.” Or, call 

1-800-4-FED-AID [1-800-433-3243].)

Bankruptcy (in rare cases) 100% Cancellation is possible only if the bankruptcy court rules that repayment would cause 

undue hardship.

Closed school (before student could 

complete program of study) or false 

loan certification

100% For loans received on or after January 1, 1986

School does not make required return of 

loan funds to the lender

Up to the amount that the school was 

required to return

For loans received on or after January 1, 1986

Child care provider (demonstration project only —limited funds). A.A. or B.A. in 

early childhood education required. Must 

have worked for two consecutive years 

in eligible child care facility serving lowincome community.

Up to 100% For Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans received 

on or after October 1, 1998, by a borrower 

with no outstanding loan balance as of that 

date. For more information, call 1-888-562-

7002. Also, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov. 

Click on “Repaying,” then go to 

“Discharge/Cancellation.”

DIRECT LOAN AND FFEL DISCHARGE/CANCELLATION SUMMARY

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
24

PLUS Loans 

(Loans to Parents)

What are PLUS Loans?

They’re loans your parents can get to pay for your 

education expenses if you’re a dependent undergraduate 

student enrolled at least half time.* (See page 8 for a 

discussion of dependency status.) Also, your parents 

must have no adverse credit history. As is true for 

Stafford Loans (see page 19), there are FFEL PLUS Loans 

and Direct PLUS Loans. PLUS Loans are unsubsidized.

Can my parents get both a Direct PLUS Loan 

and a FFEL PLUS Loan for me?

They can apply for either loan but not both during the 

same enrollment period. Your parents could, however, 

apply for a Direct PLUS Loan for you and a FFEL PLUS 

Loan for one of your siblings, for example.

How do my parents apply?

For a Direct PLUS Loan, your parents must complete a 

Direct PLUS Loan application and promissory note,* 

contained in a single form that you will get from your 

school’s financial aid office.

For a FFEL PLUS Loan, your parents must complete 

and submit a PLUS Loan application, available from 

your school, lender, or your state guaranty agency.*

After the school completes its portion of the application, it must be sent to a lender for evaluation.

Although it’s not a requirement, parents are encouraged to have their dependent children file a FAFSA, so 

their children can receive the maximum student aid 

they’re eligible for.

Are there any borrowing requirements my 

parents have to meet?

Yes, generally they have to pass a credit check. If they 

don’t pass, they might still be able to receive a loan if 

they can demonstrate that extenuating circumstances 

exist, or if someone they know—who can pass—agrees 

to endorse the loan and promises to repay it if your 

parents don’t.

Also, you must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid (see page 7), and your 

parents must also meet some of these general requirements. For example, they must be citizens or eligible 

noncitizens* and may not be in default* or owe a 

refund to any FSA program.

Do they need to find a lender?

Not if they borrow under the Direct Loan Program, 

because we will be their lender. Your school assists us 

in administering the Direct Loan Program by distributing the loan application, processing the loan, and disbursing the loan funds. 

Under the FFEL Program, your parents will need to 

find a participating lender. For help, they should contact your school or the guaranty agency* that serves 

your state. For your state guaranty agency’s address 

and telephone number, your parents can contact the 

Federal Student Aid Information Center at the address 

or toll-free number listed on page 13.

How much can my parents borrow?

The yearly limit on a PLUS Loan is equal to your cost 

of attendance* minus any other financial aid you 

receive. For example, if your cost of attendance*

is $6,000 and you receive $4,000 in other financial 

aid, your parents could borrow up to—but no more 

than—$2,000.

Do they get the money or do I?

Your school first receives the loan funds and might 

require your parents to endorse a disbursement check 

and send it back to the school. In most cases, the loan 

will be disbursed in at least two installments, and no 

installment will be greater than half the loan amount. 

The funds will first be applied to your tuition, fees, 

room and board, and other school charges. If any loan 

funds remain, your parents will receive the amount as 

a check or in cash, unless they authorize the amount 

to be released to you or to be put into your school 

account. Any remaining loan funds must be used for 

your education expenses. 

Can my parents cancel the loan if they change 

their minds, even if they’ve signed the promissory note* agreeing to the loan’s terms?

Yes, they can cancel just as you can. See page 20.

What’s the interest rate on PLUS Loans?

The interest rate could change each year of repayment 

but does not exceed 9 percent. For July 1, 2003 to 

June 30, 2004, the interest rate for PLUS Loans in 

repayment was 4.22 percent. Interest rates are adjusted 

each year on July 1. Your parents will be notified of 

interest rate changes throughout the life of their loan. 

Interest is charged on the loan from the date the first 

disbursement is made until the loan is paid in full.

NOTE: Your school can refuse to certify your parents’ loan application 

or can certify a loan for an amount less than your parents would otherwise be eligible for, if the school documents the reason for its action 

and explains the reason in writing. The school’s decision is final and 

can’t be appealed to us.

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
25

Other than interest, is there a charge to get 

a PLUS Loan?

Your parents will pay a fee of up to 4 percent of the 

loan, just as you would for a Stafford Loan. See page 20.

When do my parents begin repaying a 

PLUS Loan?

Generally, repayment must begin within 60 days after 

the loan is fully disbursed. There is no grace period for 

these loans. This means interest begins to accumulate 

at the time the first disbursement is made. Your parents must begin repaying both principal and interest 

while you’re in school.

How do my parents pay back the loan?

Your parents have nearly all the repayment options 

that Stafford Loan borrowers have (see page 21). The 

only exception is the Income Contingent Repayment 

Plan, which is not an option for Direct PLUS borrowers. Direct PLUS Loans can also be consolidated. (See 

this page for more information on loan consolidation.)

Are there any tax incentives available for paying back these loans?

Yes, just as there are for Stafford Loans. See page 22. 

Is it ever possible to postpone repayment of a 

PLUS Loan?

Yes, under certain circumstances, your parents can 

receive a deferment or forbearance on their loan, as 

long as it isn’t in default.* Generally, the same deferment or forbearance provisions that apply to Stafford 

Loans also apply to PLUS Loans (see page 22). Since 

PLUS Loans are unsubsidized, however, your parents 

will be charged interest during periods of deferment. 

If they don’t pay the interest as it accrues, it will be 

capitalized (see page 19).

Can a PLUS Loan be discharged (canceled)?

Yes, under certain conditions. A discharge releases your 

parents from all obligation to repay the loan (See page 

23 for a list of cancellation provisions.)

Your parents’ PLUS Loan can’t be canceled because you 

didn’t complete your program of study at your school 

(unless you couldn’t complete the program for a valid 

reason—because the school closed, for example). 

Cancellation also is not possible because you didn’t like 

the school or the program of study, or you didn’t obtain 

employment after completing the program of study.

For more information about loan discharge or repayment, if your parents have a Direct PLUS Loan, they 

should contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 

1-800-848-0979, or go to www.dl.ed.gov. If they have 

a FFEL PLUS Loan, they should contact the lender or 

agency holding the loan.

Consolidation Loans

A consolidation loan allows you (or your parents, if 

they have a PLUS Loan) to combine several types of 

federal student loans with various repayment schedules into one loan with one monthly repayment. Your 

payments might be significantly lower than under 

the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan, and you might 

receive a lower interest rate than you’re currently paying on one or more of your loans. There are Direct and 

FFEL Consolidation Loans. 

What kinds of loans can be consolidated?

All the loans discussed in this publication are eligible for consolidation, and others can be included. 

To get a complete list, contact your lender for a FFEL 

Consolidation Loan. For a Direct Consolidation 

Loan, contact the Loan Origination Center’s 

Consolidation Department at 1-800-557-7392. TTY 

users may call 1-800-557-7395. Or, you can go to 

www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov. 

When can I consolidate? 

You can get a FFEL or a Direct Consolidation Loan 

during your grace period, once you’ve entered repayment, or during periods of deferment or forbearance. 

PLUS Loans are eligible for consolidation once they 

are fully disbursed.

You can also get a Direct Consolidation Loan (but not 

a FFEL Consolidation Loan) while you’re in school. 

You must be attending at least half time* and have at 

least one Direct Loan or FFEL in an “in-school period.” 

(Generally, your loan is in an in-school period if you 

have been continuously enrolled at least half time*

since the loan was disbursed.) If the school you’re 

attending does not participate in the Direct Loan 

Program, at least one of the loans you consolidate 

must be a Direct Loan. 

If you want to consolidate during your grace period 

and you have a Direct Loan, you’ll still keep your 

grace period after you leave school. If you have a 

FFEL, you won’t keep your grace period, so it’s best 

to consolidate near the end of the grace period to 

keep as much of it as possible.

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
26

How can I get a Consolidation Loan?

For a FFEL Consolidation Loan, you (and your parents, 

if they want a FFEL PLUS Consolidation Loan) can 

contact the consolidation department of a participating lender for an application and more information. If 

the same loan holder holds all the loans you want to 

consolidate, you must obtain your consolidation loan 

from that holder, unless you haven’t been able to get 

a loan with income-sensitive repayment terms acceptable to you.

For a Direct Consolidation Loan, you (and your 

parents, for a Direct PLUS Consolidation Loan) 

can contact the Direct Loan Origination Center’s 

Consolidation Department at the number and Web 

site address listed on the previous page. To get a Direct 

Consolidation Loan, you must consolidate at least 

one Direct Loan or FFEL. (For example, if you had 

only Federal Perkins Loans, you could not get a Direct 

Consolidation Loan.) If you don’t have a Direct Loan, 

but you have a FFEL, you must first contact a FFEL lender to ask about getting a FFEL Consolidation Loan. If you 

can’t get one, or you can’t get one with income-sensitive 

repayment terms acceptable to you—and you’re eligible 

for the Direct Loan Income Contingent Repayment 

Plan—you can get a Direct Consolidation Loan. 

If your parents want to apply for a FFEL PLUS 

Consolidation Loan, no credit checks are required. If they 

want to apply for a Direct PLUS Consolidation Loan, 

they are subject to a check for adverse credit history.

If you’re in default* on a federal student loan, you still 

might be able to consolidate, provided the defaulted 

loan is not subject to a judgment or wage garnishment. 

You’ll be given more information about consolidation 

loans during entrance and exit counseling sessions. You 

can also go to our Web site, www.studentaid.ed.gov, 

click on the “Repaying” tab, then click on “Loan 

Consolidation.” 

How do I pay back a Consolidation Loan?

Almost all the FFEL and Direct Loan repayment 

plans (see page 21) are available to FFEL and Direct 

Consolidation Loan borrowers, except that Direct 

PLUS Consolidation Loans can’t be repaid under the 

Income Contingent Repayment Plan. 

The payback term can range from 10 to 30 years, 

depending on the amount of debt being repaid and 

the repayment plan you select. Education loans not 

included in the consolidation loan are considered in 

determining the maximum payback period. You can 

repay your loans under a shorter period than the maximum allowed. 

What’s the interest rate on a Consolidation 

Loan?

The interest rate for both Direct and FFEL Consolidation 

Loans is a fixed rate for the life of the loan (unlike Direct 

and FFEL Stafford Loans, which have a variable interest rate). So, once you consolidate, your rate won’t 

change, regardless of what future rates might be. The 

fixed rate is based on the weighted average of the 

interest rates on the loans you consolidate, rounded 

up to the nearest one-eighth of a percent. The interest 

rate does not exceed 8.25 percent. 

Are there any disadvantages to getting a 

Consolidation Loan?

Yes, there could be. Consolidation significantly 

increases the total cost of repaying your loans. Because 

you can have a longer period of time to repay, you’ll 

make more payments and pay more interest. In fact, 

consolidation can double total interest expense. So, 

compare the cost of repaying your unconsolidated 

loans with the cost of repaying a consolidation loan.

Consider whether you lose any borrower benefits if 

you consolidate, such as interest rate discounts or principal rebates—these can significantly reduce the cost 

of repaying your loans. Also, you might lose some discharge (cancellation) benefits if you include a Federal 

Perkins Loan.

Once made, consolidation loans can’t be unmade 

because the loans that were consolidated have been 

paid off and no longer exist. Take the time to study 

your consolidation options carefully before you apply, 

and talk to the holder of your loans for more information before you consolidate. 

*See “Important Terms,” page 29.
27

Responsibilities 

When you take out a student loan, you have certain 

responsibilities. Here are some important ones:

• When you sign a promissory note,* you’re agreeing to repay the loan according to the terms of the 

note. The note states that except in cases of loan 

discharge (cancellation), you must repay the loan, 

even if you don’t complete your education (unless 

you couldn’t for a valid reason—because the school 

closed, for example). Also, you must repay your loan 

even if you can’t get a job after you complete the 

program or you don’t like, or don’t receive, the education you paid for.

• Think about what your repayment obligation means 

before you take out a loan. If you don’t repay your 

loan on time or according to the terms in your promissory note,* you might go into default,* which has 

serious consequences and will affect your credit rating.

• You must make payments on your loan even if you 

don’t receive a bill or repayment notice. Billing 

statements (or coupon books) are sent to you as 

a convenience, but you’re obligated to make payments even if you don’t receive any reminders. 

You must also make monthly payments in the full 

amount your repayment plan has established. Partial 

payments do not fulfill your obligation. 

• If you apply for a deferment or forbearance, you 

must continue to make payments until you’re notified the request has been granted. If you don’t, you 

might end up in default.* You should keep a copy 

of any request form you submit, and you should document all contacts with the organization that holds 

your loan. 

• You must notify your loan servicer when you graduate; withdraw from school; drop below half time*

status; change your name, address, or Social Security 

Number; or transfer to another school.

• For Direct or FFEL Stafford Loans, you must 

receive entrance counseling before you’re given 

your first loan disbursement, unless you’ve previously 

borrowed a Stafford Loan. No matter what type of 

federal student loan you have, you must receive exit 

counseling before you leave school. Your school will 

provide the counseling and important information 

about your loan. Your lender will give you additional information. 

Rights 

You have certain rights as a borrower. Listed below are 

some of them.

• Before your school makes your first loan disbursement, you must receive the following information 

about your loan from your school, lender, and/or 

the Direct Loan Servicing Center:

 n the full amount of the loan and the interest 

 rate; 

 n the date you must start repayment;

 n a complete list of any charges you must pay 

 (loan fees) and information on how those 

 charges are collected;

 n information about the yearly and total amounts 

 you can borrow;

 n information about the maximum repayment 

 periods and the minimum repayment amount;

 n an explanation of default* and its consequences; 

 and 

 n an explanation of available options for 

 consolidating your loans and a statement that

 you can prepay your loan(s) without penalty at 

 any time.

• Before you leave school, you will receive the 

following information about your loan (as part of 

exit counseling) from your school, lender, and/or 

the Direct Loan Servicing Center:

 n a current description of your loans, including 

 average anticipated monthly payments; 

 n the amount of your total debt (principal and 

 estimated interest), your interest rate, and the 

 total interest charges on your loan;

 n if you have FFELs, the name of the lender or 

 agency that holds your loans, where to send 

 your payments, and where to write or call if 

 you have questions;

and Rights Borrower Responsibilities

*See “Important Terms,” page 29. 
28

• You have the right to a grace period before your 

repayment period begins. (Your parents do not 

receive a grace period for a PLUS Loan.) Your grace 

period begins when you leave school or drop below 

half time* status.

• Your school, lender, and/or the Direct Loan 

Servicing Center, as appropriate, must give you a 

loan repayment schedule that states when your first 

payment is due, the number and frequency of payments, and the amount of each payment.

• If you or your parents borrow under the FFEL 

Program, you (or your parents, for a PLUS Loan) 

must be notified when the loan is sold if the sale 

results in making payments to a new lender or 

agency. Both the old and new lender or agency must 

provide this notification and must provide the identity of the new lender or agency holding the loan, 

the address to which the borrower must make payments, and the telephone numbers of both the old 

and new lender or agency.

Deferment Condition Direct 

Loans1,2

FFELs1,3 Perkins

Loans

At least half time* study at a postsecondary school YES YES YES

Study in an approved graduate fellowship program or in an approved rehabilitation training program for the disabled YES YES YES

Unable to find full-time employment Up to 3 Years Up to 3 Years Up to 3 Years

Economic hardship Up to 3 Years4 Up to 3 Years4 Up to 3 Years4

Engages in service listed under discharge/cancellation conditions (see pages 18 

and 23) No No Yes5

 n if you have Direct Loans, the address and 

 telephone number of the Direct Loan Servicing 

 Center;

 n an explanation of the fees you might be charged 

 during the repayment period, such as late charges 

and collection or litigation costs if you’re 

 delinquent or in default;*

 n a reminder of available options for loan 

 consolidation and a reminder that you can 

 prepay your loan without penalty at any time;

 n a description of applicable deferment, 

 forbearance, and discharge (cancellation) 

 provisions;

 n repayment options and advice about debt 

 management that will help you in making your 

 payments; and

 n notification that you must provide your 

 expected permanent address and the name and 

 address of your expected employer. You must 

 also provide any corrections to your school’s 

 records concerning your name, Social Security 

 Number, references, and driver’s license number 

 (if you have one).

LOAN DEFERMENT SUMMARY

1 For PLUS Loans and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, only principal is 

deferred. Interest continues to accrue.

2 A Direct Loan borrower who has an outstanding balance on a 

FFEL disbursed before July 1, 1993 might be eligible for additional 

deferments, provided the outstanding balance on the FFEL existed 

when the borrower received his or her first Direct Loan.

3 Applies to loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1993, to a borrower who has no outstanding FFEL or Federal Supplemental Loans 

for Students (Federal SLS) loan on the date he or she signed the 

promissory note. (Note that the Federal SLS Program was repealed 

beginning with the 1994-1995 award year.)

4 Many Peace Corps volunteers will qualify for a deferment based 

on economic hardship.

5 More information on teaching service deferments and cancellations can be found on the Internet at www.studentaid.ed.gov. 

At the site, click on “Repaying,” then click on “Cancellation and 

*See “Important Terms,” page 29. Deferment Options for Teachers.”

NOTE: You must formally request a deferment through the procedures 

established by the holder of your loan, and you must continue making 

payments until you’re notified the deferment has been granted.
29

Academic Year

A period of time schools use to measure a quantity of 

study. For example, a school’s academic year may consist of a fall and spring semester during which a student must complete 24 semester hours. Academic years 

vary from school to school and even from educational 

program to educational program at the same school.

Cost of Attendance (COA) 

The total amount it will cost you to go to school—usually expressed as a yearly figure. It’s determined using 

rules established by law. The COA includes tuition 

and fees; on-campus room and board (or a housing and 

food allowance for off-campus students); and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and, 

if applicable, dependent care. It also includes miscellaneous expenses, including an allowance for the rental 

or purchase of a personal computer. Costs related to a 

disability are also covered. The COA includes reasonable 

costs for eligible study-abroad programs as well. For students attending less than half time,* the COA includes 

only tuition and fees and an allowance for books, supplies, transportation, and dependent-care expenses. Talk 

to the financial aid administrator at the school you’re 

planning to attend if you have any unusual expenses 

that might affect your cost of attendance.

Default 

Failure to repay a loan according to the terms agreed 

to when you signed a promissory note.* For the FFEL 

and Direct Loan programs, default is more specific—

it occurs if you fail to make a payment for 270 days if 

you repay monthly (or 330 days if your payments are 

due less frequently). The consequences of default are 

severe. Your school, the lender or agency that holds 

your loan, the state, and the federal government may 

all take action to recover the money, including notifying national credit bureaus of your default. This affects 

your credit rating for a long time. For example, you 

might find it very difficult to borrow money from a 

bank to buy a car or a house. In addition, the Internal 

Revenue Service can withhold your U.S. individual 

income tax refund and apply it to the amount you 

owe, or the agency holding your loan might ask your 

employer to deduct payments from your paycheck. 

Also, you’re liable for loan collection expenses. If 

you return to school, you’re not entitled to receive 

additional federal student aid. Legal action also might 

be taken against you. In many cases, default can be 

avoided by submitting a request for a deferment, forbearance, or discharge (cancellation) and by providing 

the required documentation.

Eligible Noncitizen 

You must be one of the following to receive federal 

student aid:

• U.S. citizen

• U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa 

or Swain’s Island)

• U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or 

I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt Card)

If you’re not in one of these categories, you must 

have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the 

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service) 

showing one of the following designations:

• “Refugee”

• “Asylum Granted”

• “Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending”

• “Conditional Entrant” (valid only if issued before 

April 1, 1980)

If you have only a Notice of Approval to Apply for 

Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464), you aren’t eligible 

for federal student aid.

If you’re in the United States on certain visas, including an F1 or F2 student visa, or a J1 or J2 exchange 

visitor visa, you’re not eligible for federal student aid. 

Also, persons with G series visas (pertaining to international organizations) are not eligible. For more information about other types of visas that are not acceptable, check with your school’s financial aid office.

Citizens and eligible noncitizens may receive loans 

from the FFEL Program at participating foreign schools. 

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the 

Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic 

of Palau are eligible only for Federal Pell Grants, Federal 

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, or 

Federal Work-Study. These applicants should check with 

their schools’ financial aid offices for more information.

Eligible Program 

A program of organized instruction or study that leads 

to an academic, professional, or vocational degree or 

certificate, or other recognized educational credential. 

To receive federal student aid, you must be enrolled in 

an eligible program, with two exceptions:

• If a school has told you that you must take certain 

course work to qualify for admission into one of its 

Terms Important
30

minimums than these. You must be attending school 

at least half time to be eligible for a Stafford Loan. 

Half-time enrollment is not a requirement to receive 

aid from the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental 

Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, 

and Federal Perkins Loan programs.

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

Our database for federal student aid—you can find out 

about the aid you’ve already received. (If you’ve only 

just applied for aid, you won’t find any information 

on NSLDS yet.) NSLDS receives data from schools, 

agencies that guarantee loans, and U.S. Department of 

Education programs. The NSLDS Web site is generally 

available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By using 

your PIN (see page 9), you can get information on federal loan and/or grant amounts, outstanding balances, 

the status of your loans, and disbursements made. You 

can access NSLDS at www.nslds.ed.gov. 

Promissory Note 

The binding legal document you sign when you get 

a student loan. It lists the conditions under which 

you’re borrowing and the terms under which you 

agree to pay back the loan. It will include information 

on how interest is calculated and what the deferment 

and cancellation provisions are. It’s very important to 

read and save this document because you’ll need to 

refer to it later when you begin repaying your loan.

Regular Student 

One who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at 

an institution for the purpose of obtaining a degree, 

certificate, or other recognized educational credential 

offered by that institution. Generally, to receive aid 

from the programs discussed in this booklet, you must 

be a regular student. (For some programs, there are 

exceptions to this requirement. See the definition of 

eligible program.)

Satisfactory Academic Progress 

To be eligible to receive federal student aid, you must 

meet and maintain your school’s standards of satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate 

offered by that institution. Check with your school to 

find out its standards.

Selective Service Registration 

To receive federal student aid, if you are a male born 

on or after January 1, 1960, are at least 18 years old, 

and are not currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed 

Forces, you must register, or arrange to register, with 

the Selective Service. (Citizens of the Federated States 

of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or 

the Republic of Palau are exempt from registering.)

eligible programs, you can get a Stafford Loan for up 

to 12 consecutive months while you’re completing 

that preparatory course work. You must be enrolled 

at least half time, and you must meet the usual student aid eligibility requirements.

• If you’re enrolled at least half time in a program 

to obtain a professional credential or certification 

required by a state for employment as an elementary 

or secondary school teacher, you can get a Federal 

Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, a Stafford Loan, 

or your parents can get a PLUS Loan, while you’re 

enrolled in that program. 

Financial Aid Package 

The total amount of financial aid (federal and nonfederal) a student receives. The financial aid administrator 

at a postsecondary institution combines various forms 

of aid into a “package” to help meet a student’s need. 

Using available resources to give each student the best 

possible package of aid is one of the aid administrator’s 

major responsibilities. Because funds are often limited, 

an aid package might fall short of the amount a student is eligible for. Also, the amount of federal student 

aid in a package is affected by other sources of aid 

received (scholarships, state aid, etc.).

General Education Development (GED) 

Certificate

A certificate students receive if they’ve passed a specific, approved high school equivalency test. Students 

who have a GED may still qualify for federal student 

aid. A school that admits students without a high 

school diploma must make available a GED program 

in the vicinity of the school and must inform students 

about the program. 

Guaranty Agency 

The organization that administers the Federal Family 

Education Loan (FFEL) Program in your state. This 

agency is the best source of information on FFELs. 

For the name, address, and telephone number of the 

agency serving your state, you can contact the Federal 

Student Aid Information Center at the address or 

phone number listed on page 13. 

Half time 

At schools measuring progress in credit hours and 

semesters, trimesters, or quarters, “half time” is at least 

six semester hours or quarter hours per term for an 

undergraduate program. At schools measuring progress 

by credit hours but not using semesters, trimesters, 

or quarters, “half time” is at least 12 semester hours 

or 18 quarter hours per year. At schools measuring 

progress by clock hours, “half time” is at least 12 hours 

per week. Note that schools may choose to set higher 
These agencies provide information on state education programs, colleges and universities, student aid 

assistance programs, grants, scholarships, continuing 

education programs, career opportunities, and some 

guaranty agencies. You can search the U.S. Department 

of Education’s database at www.studentaid.ed.gov for 

contact information and Web site addresses. At the 

site, click on “Funding,” then look under “State Aid.”

You can also contact the agency by calling the 

telephone number listed below:

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-334-242-1998

Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-441-2962

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-602-258-2435

Arkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-547-8839

California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-224-7268

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-303-866-2723

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-860-947-1833

Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-292-7935

District of Columbia . . . . . . . . . 1-202-727-6436

Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-827-2004

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-776-6878

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-808-956-8213

Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-208-334-2270

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-899-4722

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-317-232-2350

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-383-4222

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-785-296-3421

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-928-8926

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-259-5626

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-228-3734

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-410-260-4543

Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-617-994-6950

Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-447-2687

Minnesota. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-657-3866

Mississippi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-601-432-6997

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-473-6757

Education Agencies State Higher

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-406-444-6597

Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-402-471-0030

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-775-687-9228

New Hampshire. . . . . . . . . . . . 1-603-271-2555

New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-792-8670

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-279-9777

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-697-4372

North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-919-549-8614

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-701-328-2960

Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-833-1133

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1840

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-452-8807

Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-692-7392

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-922-9855

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-803-737-2260

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-605-773-3455

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-615-741-1346

Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-782-7322

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-801-321-7207

Vermont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-642-3177

Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-804-225-2632

Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-360-753-7800

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-825-5707

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-608-267-2206

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-307-777-6832

American Samoa . . . . . . . . . . 011-684-699-9155

Guam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-671-735-2280

Northern Mariana Islands . . . . . . 1-670-234-6128

Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-787-724-7100

Republic of the Marshall Islands . . 011-692-625-3394

Republic of Palau . . . . . . . . . . 011-680-488-1464

Virgin Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-340-774-4546