Entrance/Exit Interview Process for Loan Recipients

The Financial Aid Office is required to inform you of your rights and responsibilities as a Stafford Loan borrower. As an incoming student, first time Stafford Loan borrower you must complete an Entrance counseling session prior to the receipt of any loan proceeds. Prior to graduating, if you have borrowed a Stafford student loan while attending SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, you are required to complete a loan Exit counseling session before you take a leave of absence or graduation.

Why Is Counseling Important?

Helps you understand your rights and responsibilities as a loan borrower
It helps you make the right choices by providing loan information and how to manage your educational costs
It is a Federal requirement that all loan recipients must complete before funds are disbursed

Exit Counseling

Exit counseling provides important information to prepare you to repay your federal student loan(s). The following exit counseling tools are recommended for all students who have borrowed loans and are now planning to graduate, leave school or drop below half-time.

Depending on the type(s) of loans you have, you may be required to complete more than one counseling sessions:

Federal Stafford Loan(s)
Nursing Student
Health Profession Loan
Primary Care Loan
Loan for Disadvantaged Students

Stafford Loan and Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling

If you have a Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and/or Graduate PLUS loans you should complete the loan exit counseling session online with the U.S. Department of Education. Loan exit counseling explains all of your rights and responsibilities regarding the repayment of your loan. You do not need to notify our office when you have completed the loan exit counseling session.

Health Professions Exit Counseling

If you have a Health Professions, Nursing Loan you are required to complete a different loan exit counseling session. More information can be found here. If you have one of these loans, and do not complete the exit counseling session, your student account will be put on hold until the exit interview is completed and received by Bursar's Accounts Receivable. You will not be able to register, receive transcripts, grades, or a diploma.

REPAYMENT OPTIONS

Depending on your financial circumstances during repayment, you may want to consider different repayment options. Currently, there are four repayment options with the Income Based Repayment (IBR) available. Use the Loan Simulator to compare your repayment options.

Loan Forgiveness

For information on loan forgiveness, you should review the web page of your prior federal student loan lender or the Department of Education. Some potential employers may also have

loan forgiveness programs, be sure to add this item to the list of benefits you're considering when accepting employment.

Loan Consolidation

You may want to consider consolidating your loans. For more information, we suggest you visit the following pages:

Loan consolidation tips (U.S. Department of Education)

PRIVATE LOAN REPAYMENT

Please contact your lender directly.

LOAN LOCATOR

Login to your account on studentaid.gov to confirm the Loan Servicer(s) on your loan(s). You can also view other important information regarding your loans including repayment statuses and interest rates.

For more information, see the provided links, below:

Please select the appropriate step below to receive more information and to begin the process:

Entrance Counseling Interview
Exit Counseling Interview

Bursar's Office

Students who have borrowed through campus-based loan programs (PCL, LDS, & NSL) are required to complete the entrance/exit interview process with the Bursar's Office. If you have not heard from the Bursar's Office by the end of March, or you will not be on campus during the spring semester, call (718) 270-1124 to arrange for an appointment.