Required Documents for Federal Loans

Required For Federal Loans

All students whose financial aid packages include federal loans are required to complete the following:

• To receive any federal funds, borrowers must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and all forms required by your individual school.
• an Entrance Counseling before the disbursement of their loans AND
• a Master Promissory Note before the disbursement of their loans AND
• in the case of a Graduate Plus Loan, a Credit Authorization before the disbursement of Graduate Plus Loans AND
• an Exit Counseling prior to leaving the University.

Please understand that there may be other documents required for loan disbursement depending on each student.  We recommend that students always check their Financial Aid Portal for a full list of their required documents. 

The Student Loan Entrance Counseling

• The rights and responsibilities of federal loan borrowers are explained to the student.
• The interview must be completed before any federal loan funds can be disbursed to your student account.
• The interview can be completed online through the Federal Loan Entrance Counseling page.

The Master Promissory Note (MPN)

• A legal document in which students promise to repay their loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education
• This document includes the terms and conditions of the loan(s) as well.
• The MPN can cover more than one loan over a period of up to 10 years.
• The MPN can be completed through the Federal Loan Master Promissory Note page.

Graduate Plus Loan Credit Authorization

• Because the Graduate Plus Loan is subject to a credit-based approval, Columbia University is required to collect permission from student borrowers requesting this loan to check their credit.
• Informs borrowers of their rights concerning the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a).
• To access the correct Plus Loan Credit Authorization, please contact the Financial Aid Office associate with your school, a full list can be found here. 

The Student Loan Exit Counseling

• The rights and responsibilities of federal loan borrowers are explained to the student again in the context of repayment.
• The interview is required when the following applies to the student:
  • They graduate.
  • They drop below part-time status (below 6 credits).
  • They take a leave of absence.
  • They withdraw from the University.
• The interview can be completed online through the Federal Loan Exit Counseling page. 

Your Exit Interview will not be considered complete until you have gone through the entire counseling and confirmed your Name and Social Security Number. Once you have completed Exit Counseling online, you will receive a confirmation email, which you may need for your records.

Your school may require you to attend these interviews in person instead of completing them online. Please check requirements with your School Financial Aid Office.