Purdue University Division of Financial Aid

Student Loan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I know how much I should borrow and still comfortably repay?
A: The www.finaid.org website provides a few online calculators to provide undergraduates, graduate students, and parents helpful information to determine "how much debt is too much debt".

Q: How can I estimate monthly student loan payments based on various interest rates and loan amounts? Is there a good calculator?
A: A loan repayment calculator is also available on the www.finaid.org website.

Q: How do I know whether I'll be able to afford student loan payments in the future?
A: Student loan borrowers need to have a realistic projection of anticipated estimated salary and future potential earnings; starting salaries for Purdue graduates are available a website provided by the Purdue Center for Career Opportunities.

Q: What information is available specifically for Federal Loan borrowers?
A: Federal Loan borrowers should review information at www.purdue.edu/dfa/loans/loanrepayment.php.

Q: What is entrance loan counseling?
A: Students who borrow Federal Direct Stafford loans (or receive a TEACH Grant) are encouraged to complete Federal Direct entrance loan counseling. Federal Perkins Loan, Purdue Loan, and Health Professions Loan borrowers should receive entrance loan counseling through ECSI when they complete a promissory note.

Q: What is exit loan counseling?
A: Federal Perkins and Purdue loan borrowers should receive exit loan counseling information before graduating or otherwise leaving school. The University Collections Office is required to conduct exit loan counseling for Perkins, Purdue, and Health Profession Loan borrowers. Federal Direct Stafford Loan borrowers and TEACH Grant recipients should receive Direct Loan exit counseling information before graduating or otherwise leaving school.

Q: What are consolidation loans?
A: Consolidation Loans are designed to help student and parent borrowers simplify loan repayment by allowing the borrower to combine several types of Federal Student Loans with various repayment schedules into one loan, and/or to extend the repayment period length.

Q: Since private loans require established credit, what tips are available to maintain/establish a good credit record?
A: It is essential to understand credit reporting and credit scoring. As well, being creditwise also requires practicing good habits. Please see this article, Becoming Credit-Wise: What Students (and You!) Should Know, for tips and more information.

Q: Are there any special loan deferment positions for members of the military?
A: Yes, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) made several welcomed changes to the military service deferment created by Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA); contact your Loan Servicer for more information.

Q: Is there any public service loan forgiveness?
A: Yes, the recently enacted College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) creates a new loan forgiveness option for Direct Loan borrowers who hold public service jobs. FFEL borrowers may take advantage of public service loan forgiveness by consolidating or reconsolidating their FFEL loans into the Direct Loan program; see your Loan Servicer more information.

Q: How do I know if a private loan is a good deal?
A: Students and families should beware of high interest loan products and deceptive marketing tactics. It is almost always in the best interest of students to explore Federal Student Loan options before applying for private loan products. Purdue students are encouraged to research private student loan options at www.finaid.org/loans/privatestudentloans.phtml.

Q: What type of assistance is available once I start repayment?
A: Your lender or loan services can answer almost all loan repayment questions; another independent resource to help borrowers is the Federal Student Loan Borrower Assistance website.