Financial Aid
FEDERAL LOANS at Cedar Valley College

Student loans are borrowed money that must be repaid, with interest, just like car loans and mortgages. The more you borrow, the higher your monthly payments will be after you finish your degree or certificate. You will have to repay your student loans even if you do not finish your program or graduate.

Education loans from different sources have varying terms (e.g., interest rates, repayment plans, fees and credit worthiness requirements). Federal Stafford loans have no credit worthiness or cosigner requirements, and the interest rates are generally lower than for other types of loans. Private educational loans, also known as "alternative" loans, generally require good credit scores and have higher interest rates.

As part of a good strategy in financing your education, you should always check your eligibility for federal student loans before applying for private loans. You must complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal student loans.

Important information: New loans from the Federal Family Educational Loan Program will no longer available after the 2009-2010 academic year. Congress has discontinued this program. Effective July 1, 2010, DCCCD will begin participation in the Federal Direct Loan Program. DCCCD Students who previously borrowed a Stafford loan through the former FFEL program will be notified by their lender about any servicing changes to their loan(s).

Community college costs are generally much lower than those at universities. Even though you may need additional help from student loans to pay for your costs at DCCCD, you should always borrow conservatively. Student loan programs have aggregate limits (total amounts for your college career) that you can borrow. If you borrow more too much at the community college level, you may run out of eligibility to borrow before you can complete a higher-level degree.

Federal Direct Loan Program

Get basic information about subsidized/unsubsidized Stafford loans.

Borrower Rights in the Federal Direct Loan Program

Find out what your primary rights are as a borrower of Stafford loans.

Applying for a Loan

See the process and some requirements for applying for Stafford loans.

Mandatory Loan Counseling

Learn about the required loan counseling for new borrowers and students who are leaving or transferring.

Getting Your Loan Money

Find out how your loan funds will be sent to you, and learn about your right to cancel a loan.

Loan Forgiveness

Learn how loans can be "forgiven" by teaching in a low-income school.

Code of Conduct

Dallas County Community College District is committed to observing and promoting the highest ethical conduct in the performance of responsibilities and duties as they relate to all programs of financial aid.