Once you have received your award letter, signed it and turned it in to the Financial Aid Office, what happens next?

Stafford Loan Borrowers:

Complete your loan Entrance Counseling. All new borrowers are required to complete a Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling. The link for completing your entrance counseling can be found on the Loans page.

Choose a lender. You have the right to choose a lender of your choice when borrowing a student loan. The college does not recommend any lender. Your loan will be processed using the lender of your choice, even if it is not on our lender list. To view a list of lenders that we work with electronically, click here (Link to Lender List pdf)

Complete your Promissory Note. All borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note. This is your promise to the lender to repay your student loan. The link for completing your promissory note can be found on the Loans page.

Confirmation of loan disbursement. Lenders notify students of the scheduled disbursement dates. To check on your loan status, you can contact Great Lakes at 1-800-236-5900 or www.mygreatlakes.org.

PLUS Loan Borrowers:

Apply. The parent will need to fill out the Parent PLUS application form.  You may request an application be sent to you from the Financial Aid Office. This form needs to be returned to the Financial Aid Office and will then be processed with Great Lakes Higher Education, the loan guarantor.

Choose a lender. The parent can choose a lender of their choice. Your loan will be processed using the lender of your choice, even if it is not on our lender list. The college does not recommend any lender. To view a list of lenders that we work with electronically, click here.

Complete Promissory Note. All borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note. Great Lakes will mail this out once the application has been received. This will need to be returned back to Great Lakes.

Processing. Great Lakes will run a credit check with your lender.

Confirmation that your loan is approved. The parent will be notified via their lender if their loan is approved and the scheduled disbursement dates. To check on the loan status, contact Great Lakes at 1-800-236-5900 or www.mygreatlakes.org.

Perkins Loan Borrowers:

Complete Promissory Note. First time borrowers will need to complete a promissory note. This form will be either mailed to you from the Financial Aid Office or included in your Orientation Check-In Process.

Complete required documents. You will also need to complete a Perkins Recipient Information Sheet and Perkins Acknowledgement Sheet. These will either be provided to you by the Financial Aid Office or included in your Orientation Check-In.

Disbursement. Your Perkins Loan will be disbursed to your account once all documents have been completed.

Alternative Loan Borrowers

Apply online. Go to the Loans page and follow the link for Alternative Loans. You can apply directly through the Northland College Website. This will link you to FASTAlt Solutions. Here you can learn more about alternative loans, find details about different lenders and loan programs, and select the loan that’s right for you.

Determine an amount. You are only able to borrow up to your cost of attendance less your financial aid. Check with the student billing office to determine your balance due.

Confirmation that your loan is approved. Contact your lender to make sure they have approved your loan and the scheduled disbursement if you have not received notification from them.