To apply for a direct federal Stafford loan for the 2011-2012 academic year:

1. Complete the DCCCD admissions application.
   
   
2. Set up your eConnect account.
   
   
3. Complete the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure you meet all the requirements.
   
   
4. Log in to eConnect and do the following:
   
   
• Make sure you do not have any outstanding missing information/documentation you need to submit to the Financial Aid Office.
  
  
• Make sure you meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.
  
  
• Apply for the DCCCD Money Card. (See Getting Your Money for more information.) 
  
  
• Make sure you have a primary program of study.
  
  
5. Use your FAFSA PIN to sign in to Manage My Direct Loan and do the following:
   
   
• If you are a first-time borrower, complete the loan Entrance Counseling provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  
• Complete and sign your Master Promissory Note.
  
  
6. Register for at least six hours (half time) and pay the tuition. (At least three hours of your current enrollment must be at the college to which you are applying for a student loan.) You can talk to the Business/Cashier Office about setting up a payment plan.
   
   
7. Complete and submit the Direct Loan Information Processing Form (PDF - 69KB).
   
   
8. Log in to eConnect to activate your award after you are notified that your loan award has been added to your aid package.
   

Note: We will not process your loan application until:

1. We get confirmation that you completed the U.S. Department of Education online entrance counseling (including the completion of a Master Promissory Note).
2. You submit the Direct Loan Information Processing Form.
3. You submit all additional requested documentation via eConnect.

Getting Your Money

It may take us six to eight weeks to process your application, and it may take 14 to 21 days after that for you to get your money.

See Getting Your Loan Money for more information.