Loans

Need help deciding on financial aid?

Call the financial aid office at 763-433-1500

Direct Loans: Offered by the federal government or a third-party lender, Direct Loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized.
- Subsidized loans The Department of Education pays the interest:
  - While you are enrolled at least half time
  - First six months after you leave school (grace period)
  - During a period of deferment
- Unsubsidized loans You are responsible for paying interest on this loan during all periods. Students may choose to pay interest while attending school so that it doesn’t increase the principal balance.
Interest rate
The interest rate for undergraduate students whose subsidized or unsubsidized Direct Loan is disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 through July 1, 2025 is fixed at 6.53%. Any loan with a first disbursement date on or after October 1, 2020 and before October 1, 2025 has a loan fee of 1.057%.

Entrance Counseling & Master Promissory Note

Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note, which are both required prior to disbursement of your first federal loan, can be completed at https://studentaid.gov.

Six-credit minimum
Each of these loan programs have a six-month grace period if a student drops below six credits (half-time) -- an important consideration when withdrawing from courses. If you withdraw and are enrolled in less than six credits, your grace period will begin.
- Circumstances that may change your grace period include the following:
  Active duty military—If you are called to active military duty for more than 30 days before the end of your grace period, you will receive the full six-month grace period when you return from active duty.
- Returning to school before the end of your loan’s grace period—If you reenroll in school at least half-time before the end of your grace period, you will receive the full six-month grace period when you stop attending school or drop below half-time enrollment (other conditions apply).
- Loan consolidation—If you consolidate your loans during your grace period, you will give up the remainder of your grace period and begin repayment after your Direct Consolidation Loan is disbursed (paid out). Your first bill will be due approximately two months after the Direct Consolidation Loan is disbursed.
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are for parents whose children are enrolled at an approved educational institution at least half-time (six credits).
- The maximum loan amount is based on the student’s other financial aid and the cost of attendance.
- Interest accrues and payments are required from the time the loan is made until it is paid off.
- You must not have an adverse credit history
The interest rate for parents whose PLUS Loan is disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 and before July 1, 2025 is fixed at 9.08%. Any loan with a first disbursement date on or after Oct. 1, 2020 and before Oct. 1, 2025 has a loan fee of 4.228%.
Before applying for a private loan, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if they are eligible for federal financial aid.

Eligibility for private loans is based on the eligibility of a borrower and/or co-signer. Private loans may have higher interest rates than federal loans and should only be considered as a borrowing option after all federal loan eligibility has been exhausted. Selecting a private lender is the responsibility of the student. Anoka-Ramsey makes a private loan search tool - FASTChoice (link is already on the page) available to students to compare loan options for a number of lenders so that they can choose the loan that fits their needs. Anoka-Ramsey Community College does not endorse any one lender; a student may choose any private loan lender they would like. The lenders listed on the FASTChoice website are lenders who have most commonly provided private loans to Anoka-Ramsey students over the past three years.

Under the Truth in Lending Act rules, private education loans are subject to self-certification, three consumer disclosures at specific times in the application process, and at least a three day delay in disbursement. Due to the number of steps involved in the private loan application process, applicants should allow a minimum of 3 weeks for processing.

This information is intended to be accurate, but the publisher does not assume liability for errors or omissions.
If you receive a Federal Direct loan, the information is sent to your loan servicer and the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). If you have questions about your loans when you enter repayment, we encourage you to contact your servicer or find information about your servicer on studentaid.gov. You are responsible for repaying student loans that you receive at Anoka Ramsey Community College. Other state agencies, federal agencies, colleges, and credit companies will have access to information about the loans you agree to repay. It is in your best interest to have regular communication with your loan servicer as failure to repay can have consequences.