Types of 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 studentaid.gov/plus-app.
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: studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/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.
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).
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.
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, Office of Financial Aid. 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