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Stafford and Grad PLUS Entrance Counseling

Washington State University in Pullman, WA

Welcome to the Washington State University Stafford and Graduate PLUS entrance counseling session. Federal regulations require that all Stafford and Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers complete an entrance counseling session before receiving the first loan disbursement, the purpose of which is to be certain the borrower completely understands the terms and conditions of the loan prior to receiving the funds. This site provides a way of meeting that requirement. Please carefully read all of the information; you will answer questions along the way. Once you’ve completed all of the information requested at the end, an email will be sent to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships so that we can mark this requirement as satisfied.

Most Washington State University students borrow through the federal Stafford Loan program. Few Washington State University students also borrow through the federal Graduate PLUS Loan program. Because the Graduate PLUS Loan program began very recently, in the summer of 2006, average indebtedness statistics are not yet available. Below, however, are the average Stafford Loan indebtedness statistics for students graduating in May 2008, and sample monthly repayment terms based on a ten year repayment plan.


Average Indebtedness

Monthly Loan
Payment

Total Paid
(Loan + Interest)

Undergraduates

$21,102

$243

$29,141

Graduates

$47,072

$542

$65,005

Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible to receive a Stafford Loan or a Graduate PLUS Loan. At Washington State University, during the academic year, half time enrollment is defined as six credits per semester for undergraduate students and five for graduate students. During the summer session, half time enrollment is defined as six credits for undergraduates and three for graduate students. If you drop below half time enrollment you will be required to complete a Stafford Loan exit counseling session.

If you have any questions about your rights and responsibilities regarding Stafford Loans or Graduate PLUS Loans received while attending WSU, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (509) 335-9711 to speak with a financial aid counselor or email us at finaid@wsu.edu.


MYF Disclaimer:

The information above is wholly the product of the school represented herein. Mapping Your Future, and its individual sponsoring members, do not guarantee or warrant the correctness, completeness, accuracy, or any other characteristic of this content and shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or cause of action arising out of the content.


Stafford & Grad PLUS Entrance Counseling Session Instructions

Before You Start

  • Ensure you meet the browser and system requirements:
    • You must use at least Internet Explorer 6.0 or Mozilla Firefox 1.0. Get a browser now.
    • You can use any Internet service provider (ISP) to connect to the Internet; however, you should access this counseling session using one of the browsers above after you've connected. Do NOT use the ISP's browser, such as AOL or MSN--you won't be able to complete the student form at the end of the session!
    • You must enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • You will need about 30 minutes to complete this counseling session.

  • You will need the following information:
    • Your Social Security number
    • Your driver's license number

  • You might need the following information:
    • Name, address, telephone number, and employer for your spouse, if applicable
    • Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and employers for your next of kin and/or parent
    • Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and employers for two references residing at different addresses
    • NOTE: Providing names and information for your spouse, parent, next of kin, and references does not obligate them to assist with repayment of your loan. Regulations require you provide this data so your loan holder can locate you, if, in the future, they have an invalid address or phone number.

  • The student loan calculator in this session will help you calculate your estimated monthly payment. If you aren't sure how much you'll borrow, you can ask your school for the average student loan indebtedness of borrowers at the school or in your program of study at the school.

What to Do

  • Read the content and answer the questions.
  • Fill out the student information form. Use the comment box for any comments or questions you have for your school.
  • Print the confirmation page that appears after you fill out the student information form or note your confirmation number for your records.

NOTE: Generally, the Back and Forward buttons on your browser will not work once you begin the counseling session.  Use the buttons within the counseling to navigate.

NOTICE: The information you provide for loan counseling may be disclosed to third parties, such as your lender, lender servicer, school servicer, subsequent loan holder, or guarantor, as authorized under routine uses in the appropriate system of records and as may be authorized or required by federal regulations.