First Time Borrowers for Stafford Loans and Grad Plus Loan Borrowers

Legistative Changes
Financial Aid Officers are now prohibited by law from influencing student borrowers in any way regarding from which lender to borrow their federal student loans, which include Stafford and GRAD PLUS Loans. Here we have provided a link to lenders Dartmouth students have used for the last 3 years: Dartmouth College Lender List

Please note, under federal law, YOU have the right to borrow student loans through the lender of your choice. The Financial Aid Office will certify your Federal Loan using the lender you choose.

Six Easy Steps to secure Federal Loans:

1. Once you receive your financial aid Award, choose your Stafford Loan Lender. Complete the Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note electronically (on-line) with your lender.
2. Please email the DMS Financial Aid Office your choice of lender.
3. The Dartmouth Medical School Office of Financial Aid will then certify your loan with the lender of your choice.
4. Your Stafford Loan will be disbursed according to the Disbursement Schedule you received with your Award Letter.
5. Priority Deadline for submission of Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) August 1, 2009 for Year I applicants.
6. Complete the Federal Loan Entrance Counseling Requirement (for U.S. citizens/green card recipients receiving federal aid only) at http://mappingyourfuture.org.

Instructions for completing your Entrance Counseling Requirement (Federal Loan Borrowers Only):

Federal regulations governing Title IV programs, including the Federal Family Educational Loan program, require that all students receive what is called "Entrance Counseling" before a school may certify a loan for them. Entrance Counseling provides each student with information regarding their rights and responsibilities as a federal loan borrower and helps students understand what it means to enter default and what alternatives there are once they enter repayment

To complete the Entrance Counseling requirement go to: http://mappingyourfuture.org.

You will need to complete a counseling session for both the Stafford and GRAD PLUS loans. You can choose to do a combined entrance interview for the Stafford and GRAD PLUS. Follow the instructions carefully. Once you have completed the process, we will be notified automatically and will keep the confirmation on file.

If you have trouble with the online process, please contact us at dms.financial.aid@dartmouth.edu.

Returning Borrowers for Stafford Loans
If you wish to use the same lender as in previous years, you do not need to notify the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will certify your loan for the amount on your award letter with the lender you chose in a prior year.

If you wish to change lenders, please contact the Financial Aid Office in writing of your decision.

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