Loan Process

Steps involving StudentLoans.gov will require a Department of Education PIN. (If you filled out the FAFSA, this will be the same one you used there.) If you need to, you can apply for or re-establish your PIN.

  1. Accept loan(s) on WebAdvisor
  2. Sign into StudentLoans.gov and complete Entrance Counseling.
  3. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Please select Subsidized/Unsubsidized.

Per new federal regulations, California Lutheran University has changed from the FFELP (Federal Family Education Loan Program) to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Due to this change, all students who wish to acquire a Federal Stafford Loan will be required to complete Entrance Counseling for the Direct Loan Program. Per the Department of Education, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). You can utilize the same MPN for up to 10 years.

  1. Accept loan(s) on WebAdvisor
  2. Sign into StudentLoans.gov and complete the following:
    • Request a PLUS Loan
    • Select Parent PLUS
    • Request an amount (See note below)
    • Authorize a credit check with the Department of Education.
  3. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Please select Parent PLUS.

Note: You have the option to either "specify a loan amount" or "borrow the maximum Direct PLUS Loan amount for which I am eligible, as determined by the school".

If you specify the amount that you would like, please take into consideration the 4% lending fee that is taken out by the Direct Lending Program prior to disbursement.

If you select the maximum amount for which you are eligible, please be advised that we will increase the loan amount beyond what is listed on the award letter (maximum amount allowable is the total cost of attendance minus any other aid the student is receiving).

If you applied for the maximum allowable amount but do not want the entire amount, please complete and submit a Loan Change Request Form before the start of the term.

If denied, there are a couple of options.  Parents can add a credit-worthy endorser, appeal the credit decision, or request the additional Stafford Unsubsidized Loan.

  • To add an endorser, follow these steps:
    1. Find a credit worthy endorser and supply them with the loan reference number
    2. The endorser must request a PIN with the Department of Education. They will then use that PIN to sign into www.StudentLoans.gov.
    3. Have the endorser complete an endorser addendum
    4. Complete a new Master Promissory Note (MPN) including your endorser
  • Appeal your credit decision with the Department of Education.
  • Request an additional Unsubsidized Loan by following these steps:
    1. Inform the Financial Aid Counselor of the PLUS Loan denial
    2. A revised student award will be created and sent via CLU webmail to the student
    3. The student must accept the additional Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan on WebAdvisor

Students are advised to exhaust their Federal Stafford Loan eligibility before applying for a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan, as this loan has a higher interest rate (7.9% vs the 6.8% Federal Stafford Loan interest rate). Please contact the Graduate Financial Aid Counselor, Crystal Klipp, to determine your eligibility.

  1. Accept loan(s) on WebAdvisor
  2. Sign into StudentLoans.gov and complete the following:
    •  Request a PLUS Loan
    • Select Graduate PLUS
    • Request an amount
    • Authorize a credit check with the Department of Education.
  3. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Please select Graduate PLUS.

If denied, there are a couple of options.  Graduate students can add a credit-worthy endorser or appeal the credit decision:

  1. To add an endorser follow these steps:
    • Find a credit worthy endorser and supply them with the loan reference number
    • The endorser must request a PIN with the Department of Education. They will then use that PIN to sign into StudentLoans.gov.
    • Have the endorser complete an endorser addendum
    • Complete a new MPN including your endorser
  2. Appeal your credit decision with the Department Of Education.

Please note that the borrower has the right to cancel a portion of or the entirety of their loan within 14 days of either the first day of class or the disbursement of the funds to the student’s account, whichever is later. After which time it is the borrower’s responsibility to return any unwanted funds to the lender. To request a cancellation, please complete and submit a Loan Change Request Form within the appropriate timeframe.

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