Before July 1, 2010, Stafford, PLUS, and Consolidation Loans were also made by private lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFELSM) Program. As a result of the SAFRA Act, which was part of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, no further loans will be made under the FFEL Program beginning July 1, 2010. All new Stafford, PLUS, and Consolidation Loans will come directly from the U.S. Department of Education under the Direct Loan ProgramSM.
Students who have previously received a federal student loan from a private lender under the FFEL Program will need to complete a new promissory note to receive loans under the Direct Loan Program. Please check with the financial aid office at your school for specific instructions.
If you’re a student attending an institution located outside of the United States, your school is now able to participate in the Direct Loan Program. Please check with the financial aid representative at your school for specific instructions on how to obtain a Direct Loan for your next term.
This change does not impact the process of applying for federal grants, loans and work-study or the amount of federal aid that students are eligible to receive. Students interested in receiving federal student aid should continue to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM) for each school year that they wish to be considered for aid. If you have any questions about applying for federal student aid, please contact
1-800-4-FED-AID.
(Source: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloansupdate.jsp)
