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  • Federal Direct Loans

    The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program offers three types of loans made by the U.S. Department of Education to the student and parents to be used for education-related expenses: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans for students, and PLUS loan for the parent(s) of dependent students.

    • The Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is interest-free to the student (the government pays the interest) while the student is enrolled in school at least half time and during periods of authorized deferment.
    • The Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not interest-free at any time. Payments may be deferred while the student is in school at least half time, during the grace period, and during authorized periods of deferment.
    • The Direct PLUS Loan is a credit-based loan for the parent(s) of dependent students that helps pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. For more information go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/plus.


    Interest rates will be established each year for the Direct Stafford and Direct PLUS loans for which the first disbursements is on or after July 1 through June 30 of the following year. To learn more about Federal Direct Loan interest and fees go to: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/interest-rates#what-are-the-interest-rates-of-federal-student-loans.

     

  • Private Student Loans

    Private loans are non-federal, private student loans available from a variety of national lending institutions. Private student loans may be used by students who are not eligible to receive federal aid or as a supplement to federal loans. You have the right to borrow from the lender of your choice. Otis College does not have any preferred lender arrangements. To review the terms and conditions for private loans offered by some lenders used by Otis College students in the last three years click here. Review the Private Education Loan Selection Disclosures and Otis College Code of Conduct.

    Otis College has partnered with Sparrow to allow students to compare and apply for private student loans using the Sparrow platform. Click here watch a video demonstration and learn how Sparrow works. 

    Private student loans are credit-based. Therefore, if you plan to apply for a private loan, we recommend you obtain a credit report. Effective December 2004, all consumers may receive one free copy of their credit report annually.

    To request a credit report, access the following websites:


    Most of the lenders offer better terms for private student loans with a cosigner.
    The loan limit for a two-term loan period is equal to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid.

    A private loan lender must provide the student with a "Right-to-Cancel" period (usually 10 business days) after the final loan disclosure form is sent to the student. The Right-to-Cancel period means that after Otis College has certified your loan and all disclosures are sent, there is a mandatory waiting period before the lender may disburse loan funds to the school.

    For more information about private student loans, contact the Otis College Financial Aid Office.

     

  • Important to Consider

    The loan period generally covers two semesters and is delivered in two equal disbursements. If students have only one remaining semester to cover, loans will be prorated based on the number of registered units. Loan disbursements are sent directly to the school via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

  • Loan Counseling

    ENTRANCE COUNSELING

    Students are required to complete Online Entrance Counseling prior to receiving federal student loans.

    EXIT COUNSELING

    All graduating seniors who borrowed student loans are required to complete both Online Exit Counseling and In-Person Counseling with one of our financial aid counselors. Exit Counseling sessions provide opportunities for students to review their student loans, ask questions regarding repayment options, learn about how to contact their Federal Loan Servicer and what to do if they are unable to make their minimum payments.

  • Loan Repayment

    NSLDS -National Student Loan Data System
    Once your federal loans have disbursed, you will be able to locate your loan history at the U.S. Department of Education’s student loan database.
    Log in (using your FSA ID from your FAFSA) to find out all the details about your federal student loan history: National Student Loan Data System

    REPAYMENT
    For loan repayment information, please go to: https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans or schedule an appointment with our Financial Aid Office, Student Financial Services.  Review the Know What You Owe information to learn the student loan repayment tips.

    CONSOLIDATION
    Consolidation will help to simplify repayment and can help resolve defaulted loans.
    Federal Direct Loan Consolidation is free and available through https://studentaid.gov/app/launchConsolidation.action (using your same FSA ID). Go to the Department of Education website to learn more: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/consolidation

    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OMBUDSMAN 
    The Ombudsman Office is a final resource for individuals looking for customer service assistance in regards to loan repayment. Before contacting the Ombudsman, borrowers concerned about student loans should contact their loan holder or the Department of Education website for further information. Current students should contact the Otis College financial aid office first.

    When contacting the Ombudsman Office, be ready to:

    • Identify the problem and the reason behind it
    • Define expectations
    • Describe actions already taken to resolve the problem
    • Supply Documentation to support your position

    The easiest way to contact the Ombudsman is to file an on-line assistance request thru http://studentaid.gov/repay-loans/disputes/prepare.

    Other contact options are:
    Mail:
    U. S. Department of Education
    FSA Ombudsman Group
    830 First Street, N. E., Mail Stop 5144
    Washington, D.C. 20202-5144

    Phone Toll Free: 1-877-557-2575 (Best used to initiate a Case)
    TDD: 202-377-3800
    FAX: 202-275-0549
    Email: fsaombudsmanoffice@ed.gov
    Website: http://StudentAid.gov/ombudsman