Federal regulations require that the College delay delivering the proceeds of educational loans to first-time borrowers until 30 days after the start of classes.  In addition, all first-time borrowers must receive loan counseling before loan funds can be disbursed. Students must complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan counseling.

Year Dependent Independent

First year         

(0 to 29 credits)

$5,500

No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$9,500

No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Second Year   

(30 or more credits)

$6,500

No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$10,500

No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Lifetime Limits

$31,000

$57,500
  • Borrowing the maximum amount for Fall and Spring leaves zero eligibility for Summer at the same grade level.
  • The amounts given above are the maximum yearly amounts you can borrow in both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, singly or in combination. However, you cannot borrow more than your cost of attendance minus other aid for which you are eligible. This means you may receive less than the annual maximum amounts. 
  • Loans are awarded per academic year and students are not eligible to receive more than half a year's limit in one semester. For example, a freshman student may not receive more than $1,750 in Subsidized Loans (half of $3,500) during one semester.
  •  
  • Monitor your loan history on the National Student Loan Data System.
  • Additional Student Loan Resources.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

This program allows the parent with a good credit history to borrow to pay the cost of education for a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time. The yearly limit is equal to the student's cost of attendance minus any other financial assistance expected or received. The interest rate for PLUS loans disbursed between July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 is fixed at 8.05%. There is no grace period for this loan. Interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made. Repayment of both principal and interest will begin 60 days after the full loan amount has been disbursed.

Parents can apply for the Parent PLUS loan by completing the online application at studentloans.gov. 

When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA, you are applying for all of the aid programs for which you may be eligible, including Direct Loans. 

FSA Student Loan Ombudsman Office

Via on-line assistance: http//studentaid.gov/repay-loans/disputes/prepare

Via telephone: 877-557-2575
 Via fax: 606-396-4821 
 

Via mail:
FSA Ombudsman Group
P.O. Box 1843
Monticello, KY 42633

Private Loans

Private loans are options for students (and their parents) who do not show financial aid eligibility for other types of financial aid, or who need additional funds to meet educational expenses. Most private loans require a credit check.

Many of the private loan programs also look at what financial aid you are already receiving for that particular period. Other financial assistance is deducted from the cost of attendance before aid eligibility is determined for other programs.

Note: Our office does NOT endorse any particular lender. This information is only provided for your convenience and can change without notice. You should request current information directly from the lender or company offering the program.

Steps to Apply for Loan Assistance

Log in to the Federal Student Aid Student Loans site at studentloans.gov with your FSA ID Username, Email, or Mobile Phone and FSA ID Password. You will need to complete the following:

  1. National Student Loan Data System - You must review your aggregate loan amounts at NSLDS.
  2. Financial Awareness Counseling -You must complete the Financial Awareness Counseling. To complete, click here.
  3. Repayment Estimator Calculator - Use this tool to learn your anticipated total loan expenses. Click on the "Your Loans" button to add the amount of your loan request. To complete, click here.
  4. Master Promissory Note (MPN) - You must complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Baton Rouge Community College.
  5. Direct Loan Counseling - First-time student borrowers must complete entrance counseling before they can receive the first disbursement of a Direct Loan, and all student Direct Loan borrowers must complete exit counseling shortly before they cease to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.
    1. You must complete Entrance Counseling for Baton Rouge Community College.
    2. You must complete Exit Counseling for Baton Rouge Community College (if you received direct student loans and are graduating, dropping below half-time enrollment, or leaving the school).
  6. Accept offered loan in LoLA self-service- You may accept offered loan or reduce loan amount indicating the amount of loan funds you would like to borrow. 

Baton Rouge Community College does not discriminate in its educational and employment policies and procedures with regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.