South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD   Welcome to SDSU's online Entrance Loan Counseling for the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs. All first time recipients of a Federal Stafford Loan are required to complete an entrance counseling session. This session will ensure that you understand your responsibilities as a student loan borrower. After you have successfully completed the session your results will be sent to the SDSU Financial Aid Office. Please print a copy of your results to keep for your student financial aid file. SDSU students who graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2007-2008 and had student loans owe an average of $20,804 in federal student loans.  The repayment for those loans, using a fixed interest rate of 6.8%, would be approximately $239.41 per month for 10 years.    If there is a dispute with your student loan servicer, you may contact the Federal Student Loan Ombudsmen by calling 1-877-557-2575 or go to the internet:  www.ombudsman.ed.gov If you have any questions after completing the Entrance Counseling, you may call our office at (605) 688-4695 or 1-800-952-3541, or stop in to see us during normal working hours (7:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time). If you want to visit with us or send a letter, the address is: SDSU Financial Aid Office Administration Bldg 106 Brookings, SD 57007 We can also be reached by E-mail at SDSU_FINAID@SDSTATE.EDU SEND E-MAIL. Federal student loan information disclosure: Students using the Master Promissory Note (MPN) use the original MPN for continuous enrollment provided the same lender is used for future student loans

Stafford 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.
  
  
• PARENTS: Please don't complete the counseling session on behalf of your son or daughter, as this federal requirement helps the student understand the rights and responsibilities of borrowing a student loan.
  
  
• You will need about 25 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.