Best Practices
The following guidelines should be followed as best practices in the student loan process:
- Apply early to ensure that your loans are processed in time to meet the tuition deadline. Follow dates listed on the Admitted Student Website or through email communications from our office. The Financial Aid Office cannot guarantee loan funds will arrive on time if applications are submitted after the loan deadline, and late fees may be charged.
- Ensure that you have completed all required steps in the application process. Inaccurate and/or incomplete applications will delay the process of receiving loan funds.
- Borrow only what you need - overborrowing can lead to challenges in loan repayment. Use our calculators in the Tools/Resources section of the site to estimate your monthly loan repayment to ensure that you borrow an amount you can afford after school.
- Track the federal loans you have borrowed by accessing the financial aid review section of the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
- Track the private loans you have borrowed by keeping record of all correspondence with your private student loan servicer. In addition, please make sure to shop around for the best pricing when applying for private loans. Learn more about how private loan applications impact your FICO score. When reading a private loan interest rate offer, be aware of whether you are taking on a variable rate loan and the repayment option selected. The repayment option you choose cannot be changed at a later date.
- Loan funds are disbursed directly to the University approximately 10 days before the start of each semester. Loan funds received in excess of your total charges will be refunded to you, either by check or direct deposit.
- To reduce or cancel a current loan, please reach out to the Office of Financial Aid.