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Loan Disbursement

Original aid offers are based on full-time enrollment. Your aid funds will be adjusted if you are not enrolled full-time as of the 9th day of classes each semester (known as "file close"). Grants will be adjusted after file close based on your actual semester enrollment and will not pay to your CMU student account until after file close.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan

Before the university pays Direct Student Loan funds to your account, you must:

  1. Complete online loan counseling. Federal regulations require that you complete entrance loan counseling if you are a first-time, Federal Direct Student Loan borrower. The purpose of this counseling is to explain your rights and responsibilities as a first-time borrower, emphasize the legal, binding nature of your loan obligation, and make you aware of the consequences of default if you fail to repay your loan according to the terms of the note. Loan counseling may be completed online; funds cannot be disbursed to your account until loan counseling is completed.
  2. New CMU students must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The master promissory note is a legal contract that requires the student to provide references and a student signature. The amount you may borrow each year is based on grade level, your student status and your continued eligibility. You may complete the MPN by using your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). Please complete your master promissory note as soon as possible but no later than two weeks before the end of a semester; your direct loan cannot be credited to your account until your MPN is on file with the federal direct loan processor.
  3. Students with a Master Promissory Note on file with the Direct Loan Program (returning CMU students and transfer students) will not need to complete a new promissory note. You will be informed on your Award Notice of your maximum loan eligibility. If you wish to reject or reduce the amount of your student loan(s), you must make the adjustment on your Award Notice and return it to the OSFA as soon as possible so that the loan amount can be adjusted before it is paid to your account. Students may also reject or reduce an offered student via the Financial Aid Status Screen before July 1.
  4. Enroll at least half-time.
  5. Meet the general eligibility criteria.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent Loan

To apply for and receive a Direct PLUS Loan, parents must:

  1. Complete an online parent PLUS application, the federal processor will use this application to process your PLUS loan.
  2. Complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN). The master promissory note is a legal contract that requires the parent to provide references, parent and student information, and a parent signature. You may complete the PLUS MPN online by using your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). The PLUS loan will be credited to your student’s account once the loan is approved and your MPN is on file with the federal direct loan processor.
  3. Your student must be enrolled at least half-time.
  4. Your student must meet the general eligibility criteria.