Loans
Request a Federal Loan for the Current Academic Year
Loan students must also have a completed FAFSA
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (FDL) Program
Triton College offers Federal Direct Loans to students in a degree-seeking or certification program, who are enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours (half-time) each semester.
Federal Direct Loans are for eligible students to help cover the costs of higher education. These Federal Loans are borrowed funds that you must repay with interest, but usually offer lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment terms and options.
Click HERE for full information regarding the Federal Direct Loan Program.
Eligibility
- Be an undergraduate student
- Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible resident non-citizen
- Be enrolled in at least half-time (6 credit hours or more)
- Have no unresolved defaults or overpayments owed on any Title IV educational loans or grants
- Needs Analysis required (determined from the information provided on the FAFSA)
- Master Promissory Note required
- Entrance Counseling is required
- Be in good standing with Triton’s Standards of Academic Progress (SAP status)
- A completed Financial Aid file.
- Contact your Financial Aid advisor if needed
How Do I Apply for a Loan?
Triton College requires 3 steps to apply for a Federal Direct Loan
Loan Area Policies
Approval
The Financial Aid department is authorized, on a case-by-case basis, to deny any Federal Direct Loans to students without documented educational expenses, poor academic performance, prior student loan defaults, and/or excessive loan indebtedness.
Bookstore Purchases
Student are able to use their loan funds at the Triton College Bookstore only. You may purchase books and school supplies with your loan funds beginning the week before the semester begins. Please contact loansupport@triton.edu for issues using your funds at the Bookstore.
Return of Funds
All Financial Aid, including Federal Direct Loans, are based on the successful completion of all registered coursework. Any student who withdraws or is dropped from any classes before the end of the term will be reviewed for a possible Return to Title IV calculation. If applicable, a portion of the aid the student received may need to be returned.
Deadlines
Due to processing times, Loan Request Forms for the current semester will be accepted until two (2) weeks before the end of the semester – as long as your Financial Aid file is completed. If you have not completed your FAFSA, and/or have an incomplete Financial Aid file, you will need to contact the Student Loan Specialist directly for instructions. Due to Federal Regulations, all loans must be originated and disbursed before the end of the semester for which you are requesting a loan.
Cancellation
Your loan request can be cancelled any time before the funds are disbursed, or within 10 days of receiving funds.
Your cancellation request must be made in writing. Your cancellation request must be received by the Student Loan Specialist.
Types of Loans
Federal District Loans
• Direct Subsidized Loans (2022/2023 Interest Rate 4.99%)
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans (2022/2023 Interest Rate 4.99%)
• Direct (Parent) PLUS Loans (2022/2023 Interest Rate 7.54%)
Click HERE to learn more about the different types of loans.
Every Federal Direct Loan is subject to an Origination Fee*:
- Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans: 1.057% of loan amount.
- PLUS Loans: 4.228% of loan amount.
* For loans disbursed before October 1, 2022. Please click HERE for the latest information.
Ineligible for Federal Direct Student Loans
Please reach out to our Student Loan Specialist for available alternative loan options.
How Much Can I Borrow
The amount you are eligible for is based on your grade level and dependency status.
Students MUST complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for any Federal Direct Student Loans. The FAFSA will determine a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which, in addition to, the Cost of Attendance will determine a student's financial need. The COA is based on credit hours/types of classes, and considers the cost of attending college, i.e. transportation, housing, and living expenses. The amounts are predetermined by Triton College and updated yearly.
In addition to financial need, the amount a student may borrow is limited to an annual* amount, based on the loan type, a student's dependency status, and whether a student is classified a Freshman (0-29 credit hours) or a Sophomore (30+ credit hours).
* Academic year – Fall/Spring/Summer
Please note, single-semester Fall only loans will be limited to half of the yearly loan limit amount.
Student Responsibilities
Repayment
Financial Literacy
Avoid Default
Loan FAQs
When will I receive my loan funds?
It's after the initial disbursement date, why haven't I received my loan funds?
My Triton Portal says I am getting a refund, but I haven’t received my student refund check?
Student Code of Conduct
The Triton College Financial Aid Office has developed a Student Loan Code of Conduct to ensure the Student Loan Program at the college is administered in an honest, ethical and legal manner; and to comply with the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, signed into law on Aug. 14, 2008. All Triton College employees who are directly or indirectly involved with the administration of student loans, and officers and agents of the institution, adhere to these principles.
Triton College FDL Code of Conduct
Contacts
For general loan information:
Loan Support
708-456-0300, ext. 3155
loansupport@triton.edu
Current loan students/specific inquiries:
Cindy Perez
Student Loan Specialist
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3045
cindyperez@triton.edu