Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You’ll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default.
When you’re finished, a record of your completion will be sent to the schools you selected, and you can then receive your loan money. Keep in mind that you cannot save and leave an incomplete session; you must complete entrance counseling in one sitting.
Select Your Student Status to Begin
Your school may have different entrance counseling requirements. Check with your school’s financial aid office to be sure that the counseling on this Web site satisfies your school’s entrance counseling requirements.If your school requires you to complete and return a written entrance counseling document, downloadEntrance Counseling PDF.
I am an Undergraduate Student
Entrance counseling for undergraduate students is required if you have not previously received a Direct Subsidized Loan or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
You’re an undergraduate student if you are enrolled in an undergraduate course of study that usually doesn’t exceed four years and that leads to an undergraduate degree or certificate. Log in to StartView Demo
I am a Graduate or Professional Student
Entrance counseling for graduate or professional students is required if you have not previously received a Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Direct PLUS Loan.
You’re a graduate or professional student if you are enrolled in a program or course above the bachelor’s degree level (such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. program) or who is enrolled in a program leading to a professional degree (for example, J.D. or M.D.). Log in to StartView DemoWho Should Complete This?
Students receiving the following types of loans for the first time:
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Direct PLUS Loans for graduate/professional students
30 minutesHow Long Will it Take?Entrance Counseling takes about 30 minutes to complete and it must be completed in a single session.What Do I Need?
- Verified StudentAid.gov account
- School Name(s)
- Financial Aid Offer (this is the letter from your school that outlines your loans, scholarships, and other aid it offered)
- Breakdown of Your School’s Tuition and Fees