Student Debt Relief
Federal Student Aid and the Biden-Harris Administration have announced loan forgiveness plans of up to $20,000 for prior Pell-Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for all other loan borrowers. To be eligible, the borrower's annual income must be below $125,000 (individuals) and $250,000 (married couples/head of households). If the U.S. Department of Education doesn't have your income data or if you don't know if the U.S. Department of Education has your income data, the Administration will launch a simple application in the coming weeks. Borrowers can view their loan balances and check their Pell Grant status by logging into their Federal Student Aid account online at studentaid.gov. Please visit studentaid.gov/debt-
Note: This program does not waive any balance you have with GRCC.
Responsible Borrowing
The key to responsible borrowing is to learn the basics and manage your loan debt. Watch the video Responsible Borrowing to learn about your responsibilities as a borrower and what you should consider when taking out student loans. Watch Repayment: How to Manage Your Student Loans to learn about changing repayment plans, postponing or reducing your payments, or combining your federal student loans. Also visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.
If you'd like some guidance about accepting loans, you can also try the Loan Simulator. It's a tool that can help you with your goals, repayment plans, and consolidation options.
If you have decided to accept the student loan funds we have offered you, these Student Loan Instructions will help you with that process.
State of Michigan Resources
The State of Michigan provides various resources to help you explore college costs, student loans, debt management, avoiding scams, and many other topics related to smart borrowing and paying for college. Visit the State's comprehensive website to access these free resources.
Preferred Lender Statement
GRCC does not have a preferred lender list for private (alternative) student loans. Before looking into private loans, students should first check on their eligibility for Federal Direct Student Loans. If after Federal Direct loans, students wish to consider private (alternative) loans, more information is available at the bottom of this webpage.
Federal Direct Loans
The Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan programs carry both annual and cumulative (lifetime) limits. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) generated from FAFSA, lists your cumulative loans, but it is important that you also keep records of all your loan transactions. View your loan history.
Subsidized Loans
The Direct Subsidized Loan enables undergraduate students who show financial need to borrow money for educational expenses. Generally, interest does not accrue until the student graduates, withdraws from school, or drops below half-time. Students who receive Direct Subsidized Loans for the first time on or after July 1, 2013 are subject to the 150% Subsidized Loan Limits.
Unsubsidized Loans
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan enables undergraduate students to borrow money to pay for their educational expenses regardless of financial need. Interest accrues on an unsubsidized loan while a student is in school. The student may choose to pay the interest while in school to avoid paying interest on interest.
Eligibility
Students must complete the FAFSA, be enrolled in a minimum of six credits, and meet all other financial aid eligibility requirements to be considered for a Direct Loan.
Student loans are awarded to all eligible students. You may decline, accept, or reduce the loans offered through your Online Center. To set up your account on your Online Center, go to login request and submit requested information. First time borrowers need to complete Entrance Counseling and Loan Agreement for a Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (MPN). Your award letter contains student loan instructions to guide you through the process.
Borrowing Limits
Yearly Maximums
| Student Level & Dependency Status | Maximum Subsidized and Unsubsidized | Maximum Subsidized |
|---|---|---|
|
Dependent freshman |
$5,500 |
$3,500 |
|
Dependent sophomore |
$6,500 |
$4,500 |
|
Independent freshman |
$9,500 |
$3,500 |
|
Independent sophomore |
$10,500 |
$4,500 |
Lifetime Limits
| Student Level and Dependency Status | Maximum Subsidized and Unsubsidized | Maximum Subsidized |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 | $23,000 |
| Independent Undergraduate | $57,500 | $23,000 |
If you reach your lifetime loan limit, you cannot receive any more of that type of loan. If you exceed your limit, aid already disbursed will be returned to the federal government and you will be billed. You will have to find alternate ways to finance your education. Therefore it is to your advantage to borrow only what you need for educational expenses and to keep track of your cumulative debt. Financial Aid representatives are happy to work with you to find ways to minimize your borrowing.
Interest Rates
Interest is “variable-fixed” rate. This means that students may receive a new rate with each new loan, but the rate will be fixed for the life of the loan. New interest rates will be set each July 1 through the following June 30 by the Department of Education.
The following interest rates are effective for all Direct Loans with a first disbursement on or after July 1, 2023 and before July 1, 2024: 5.50% for Undergraduate borrowers of Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans and 7.05% for Graduate or Professional Borrowers of Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
The interest rates for Direct PLUS Loans will be 8.05%.
Student Loan Origination Fee Update
The U.S. Department of Education recently decreased the student loan origination fees for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans and for Parent PLUS loans. The loan fee is a percentage of the loan amount and is proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. The percentage for all Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2020, is 1.057%. The percentage for Parent PLUS Loans is currently 4.228%. Loans first disbursed before that date had different loan fees.
There are examples available of how the student loan fee is calculated.
Disbursements
Visit our disbursement and refund webpage for more information.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
These loans enable parents without an adverse credit history, to borrow funds to help pay for the cost of their child's education. Students must be dependent as defined by the federal government on FAFSA, enrolled at least half-time, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Interest accrues beginning with the first disbursement. Repayment of principal and interest begins while the student is in school — within 60 days after the final loan disbursement is made for the period of enrollment for which the funds were borrowed.
Apply
To request a PLUS loan, log in to the Federal Student Aid website and click on Apply for Aid and select Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan.
- Interest rate is 7.54%.
- Loan origination fee is 4.228%.
- Repayment begins within 60 days after the final loan disbursement is disbursed for the period of enrollment for which the parent has borrowed for their student.
- No grace period. Interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made.
- Parents who have PLUS loans must begin repaying both principal and interest while student is in school or request deferment on the payment(s) of this loan as long as the student is maintaining half-time enrollment.
- No loan counseling is required by the school. Based on your credit check the Federal government may require you to complete counseling.
- The maximum a parent can borrow is equal to the cost of attendance (COA) minus any other financial aid the student receives.
- To complete a Direct Parent PLUS Loan, visit the Federal Student Aid website and click on Apply for Aid and select Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan.
- To endorse the Direct Parent PLUS Loan after the Request Process, visit the Federal Student Aid website and click on Apply for Aid and go to Endorse PLUS Loan.
Students whose parent has been denied a PLUS loan based on credit may qualify for additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans.
Alternative or Private Student Loans
GRCC encourages students considering alternative or private student loans to research multiple lenders and their terms. Unlike federal student loans, students applying for alternative or private loans may need an established credit record for consideration. Also, a co-signer may be required. Additionally, interest rates and loan repayment terms vary.
While we do not provide information to students regarding private lenders or have preferred lender arrangements, we will certify private loan applications that are submitted to GRCC by students via their lender.
Please note: The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires that before a private educational lender may finalize a private education loan for a student in attendance at an institution of higher education, the private lender must obtain the signed, completed self-certification form. Most lenders will provide this form directly to students. If your lender does not, you can obtain a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form here.