Federal Direct Student Loans
Federal Direct Loans are federal student loans that can help eligible students pay educational expenses. Loans must be repaid with interest. Before borrowing, consider grants, scholarships, work-study, personal resources, and other available financial aid.
Request a Federal Direct Student Loan
Before you request a loan
Complete your FAFSA, complete outstanding financial aid requirements, and be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program.
Before You Apply
Quick Eligibility Check
To be considered for a Federal Direct Loan at Porterville College, you generally must:
- Have a valid FAFSA for the applicable academic year and have Porterville College receive your financial aid application information.
- Meet federal student aid eligibility requirements.
- Be enrolled at least half-time. For most Porterville College undergraduate semester programs, this generally means at least 6 units that may be counted for federal student aid purposes.
- Meet Porterville College Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
- Have remaining eligibility under applicable federal annual and aggregate loan limits.
- Have room within your Cost of Attendance and other applicable financial aid limits.
- Complete required federal loan documents and counseling.
Important
Submitting a loan request does not guarantee approval or the amount requested.
How to Request a Federal Direct Loan
Complete the FAFSA
Complete the FAFSA for the academic year in which you are requesting a loan. Make sure Porterville College receives your financial aid application information.
Complete Outstanding Financial Aid Requirements
Review your financial aid information and complete any outstanding requirements that must be resolved before loan eligibility can be determined.
Submit the Direct Loan Request Form
Use the Porterville College online request form to start the loan review process. Submission does not guarantee approval.
Financial Aid Reviews Your Eligibility
The Financial Aid Office reviews enrollment, program of study, SAP, loan limits, Cost of Attendance, prior borrowing, other financial aid, and remaining eligibility.
Complete Federal Borrower Requirements
Complete a valid Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling when required through StudentAid.gov.
Request a Federal Direct Student Loan
Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans
| Direct Subsidized Loan | Direct Unsubsidized Loan |
|---|---|
| Available to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. | Not based on financial need. |
| Amount depends on financial need, grade level, annual loan limits, other financial aid, and remaining eligibility. | Amount is limited by annual and aggregate loan limits, Cost of Attendance, other financial aid, and remaining eligibility. |
| Federal subsidized-loan interest rules apply. | Interest accrues according to federal unsubsidized-loan terms, including while you are enrolled. |
What Happens After I Submit My Request?
Financial Aid reviews your request using the information available in Banner and applicable federal systems. The review may include:
- FAFSA/ISIR status
- Current enrollment
- Program of study
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Loan grade level
- Annual and aggregate federal loan limits
- Prior federal student loan history
- Cost of Attendance
- Other financial aid
- Remaining Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan eligibility
Your approved amount may be different
The amount you are eligible to borrow may be different from the amount you request.
Federal Loan Requirements
Entrance Counseling
First-time Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loan borrowers generally must complete entrance counseling before receiving their first Direct Loan disbursement.
Request a Federal Direct Student Loan
Master Promissory Note (MPN)
You must have a valid MPN covering the loan before federal Direct Loan funds can be disbursed.
Request a Federal Direct Student Loan
Enrollment Requirement
You must remain enrolled at least half-time.
For most Porterville College undergraduate students in semester-based programs, half-time enrollment is generally at least 6 units that may be counted for federal student aid purposes. Waitlisted, dropped, cancelled, or other courses that do not count as current enrollment cannot be used to establish half-time enrollment. Enrollment may be reviewed during processing and again before disbursement.
How Much Can I Borrow?
Federal law limits how much a student may borrow each academic year and over the student’s lifetime. Your actual loan eligibility depends on factors including your dependency status, loan grade level, enrollment status, previous federal student loan borrowing, remaining annual and aggregate eligibility, Cost of Attendance, other financial aid, and financial need for a Subsidized Loan. Beginning with applicable 2026–27 loan periods, federal annual loan limits may be reduced for students enrolled less than full time.
Borrow carefully
Borrow only what you reasonably need for educational expenses.
Your Loan Request May Be Reduced
The amount requested is not automatically the amount Porterville College will award. Your eligible amount may be lower because of annual or aggregate loan limits, previous borrowing, Cost of Attendance, other financial aid, Subsidized Loan need limits, enrollment status, or remaining federal eligibility.
Any institutional decision to reduce or decline an otherwise eligible Direct Loan request will be handled under applicable federal requirements and documented institutional procedures.
2026–27 Direct Loan Request Deadlines
| Term | Request Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | November 13, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | April 15, 2027 |
| Summer 2027 | July 8, 2027 |
Receiving Your Loan
- Porterville College submits eligible loan information to the U.S. Department of Education.
- The loan must be accepted through the federal processing system.
- You must continue to meet applicable eligibility requirements.
- Loan funds are applied through Porterville College’s financial aid disbursement process.
- Any eligible remaining credit balance is handled through the College’s normal student refund process.
Plan Ahead
Processing a loan request takes time. Submit your request and complete all requirements as early as possible.
Right to Cancel or Reduce Your Loan
You may request that all or part of your Federal Direct Loan be canceled or reduced. Porterville College will provide you with a notice regarding your Direct Loan disbursement that explains your right to cancel or reduce the loan and the deadline and procedures for submitting your request.
If you want to cancel or reduce a loan, contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. Different federal requirements may apply depending on when the request is received.
Changes to Your Enrollment
Your loan eligibility can change if you drop or withdraw from courses, never begin attendance, fall below half-time enrollment, change your program of study, or otherwise become ineligible for financial aid.
Before changing your enrollment
Contact the Financial Aid Office before making enrollment changes if you have received or requested a student loan.
Repayment & Exit Counseling
Federal Direct Loans must be repaid. You are responsible for repayment even if you do not complete your program, transfer to another school, do not obtain employment after leaving school, or are dissatisfied with the education you received.
Federal student loan borrowers are generally required to complete exit counseling when they graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. Exit counseling explains repayment responsibilities, repayment options, and other borrower information.
Review your federal student loan information, servicer information, repayment options, and outstanding balance at StudentAid.gov.
Ready to Request a Loan?
Request a Federal Direct Student Loan
Before submitting your request, make sure your FAFSA and outstanding financial aid requirements are complete.
Need Help?
Porterville College Financial Aid Office
- Phone: 559.791.2301
- Email: pc_faid@portervillecollege.edu
Hours of Operation
- Monday & Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday & Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Students who have questions about Direct Loans, eligibility, required documents, or the loan-request process should contact the Financial Aid Office before submitting multiple requests or documents.
