Federal Direct Loans

The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is available to undergraduate students to assist with paying college costs. The type of Direct Loan a student is awarded (subsidized or unsubsidized) is based on results of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and will be listed on the Financial Aid Award Notification each year.

Requirements for Borrowing the Federal Direct Loan

All new borrowers (including transfer students) of a Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan are required to complete Entrance Loan Counseling and complete the Federal Direct loan Master Promisory Note before their Federal Direct Loans can be disbursed.

1) To complete Entrance Loan Counseling online:

• Log onto Entrance Loan Counseling at www.dlssonline.com. Click on "Entrance & Exit Counseling," then "Take the Entrance Loan Counseling Session." Read through the Entrance Counseling tutorial and take the quiz, all of which should take no more than 20-30 minutes.
• After you review the tutorial and pass the quiz, you will be asked to provide your name, Social Security Number, and birthdate. If you already have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the U.S. Department of Education, you can provide that instead.
• Select Knox College to receive notification that you have completed entrance counseling.

2) To complete your Master Promissory Note:

The Financial Aid Office will contact you with instructions.

If you have questions about your promissory notes or loan counseling, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 309-341-7149.

For more information about Federal Direct Loans

Visit "Repaying Your Loans" at the Federal Student Aid Website at www.studentaid.ed.gov or www.direct.ed.gov. Information regarding your personal Direct Loans can be obtained by visiting the Direct Loan Servicing Center at www.dl.ed.gov.