Counseling and Repayment

The following information will be included in the Loan Entrance Counseling that is available online at https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/. First-time student borrowers will be directed to complete entrance counseling prior to the first disbursement of loan funds. In addition, we require all students to attend a Federal Student Aid Orientation prior to starting law school. This is a live Power-Point Presentation, with important information shared. All students are then given a link to schedule additional appointments throughout their tenure here whenever questions arise. Yearly sessions are encouraged, but not required.

• Explanation and use of the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
• Effect of accepting the loan on eligibility for other aid
• Seriousness and importance of the repayment obligation
• Definition of half-time enrollment
• Consequences of not maintaining at least half-time enrollment
• Importance of contacting the appropriate office at the school if the student plans to withdraw  before completing the academic program to allow the school to provide exit counseling to the borrower
• The importance of repayment and the consequences of default, including adverse credit reports, federal offset, and other federal delinquent debt collection procedures and litigation
• Sample monthly repayment amounts based on a range of levels of indebtedness or the average cumulative indebtedness of other loan borrowers within the same academic program as the borrower
• Information regarding the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and how a borrower can access  and monitor his or her loan records
• Name and contact information of the person the student can contact with questions regarding rights and responsibilities or loans terms and conditions

Students are required to complete financial aid loan exit counseling prior to graduating or shortly before ceasing enrollment of at least half-time study. Students who seek withdrawal from the school should contact the Financial Aid Office to obtain exit counseling. Several topics presented at the entrance counseling session are again presented at the exit counseling. Exit counseling is required for all graduated, withdrawn, or dismissed students prior to exiting the institution as well as when a student ceases to attend at least half-time. If a student leaves school or chooses to postpone their education, the student should contact the Financial Aid office to understand the financial impact of this decision and to attend loan exit counseling. The following information will be included in the loan exit counseling that is available online at https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/. In addition to completing the Exit Counseling online, each student has an individual Exit Counseling session and is encouraged to schedule a repayment setup appointment with the Financial Aid office after the BAR.

• Explanation of all repayment plans available
• Comparison of each type of repayment plan, including average projected monthly payments and the difference in interest and total payments
• Explanation of the terms and conditions to obtain full or partial loan forgiveness or discharge
• Explanation of the terms and conditions under which a borrower may obtain a deferment or forbearance
• Debt management strategies to assist the student in successful loan repayment
• Information regarding the average anticipated monthly repayment amount based on the student loan borrower’s actual indebtedness or the average indebtedness of student borrowers in the same academic program receiving the same types of loans
• A review of the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and the student’s obligation to repay the loan
• Explanation of the student’s responsibility to repay the loan even if the student did not complete the program, did not complete the program within the regular completion time for that program, is unable to obtain employment, or is dissatisfied with the education received
• Explanation regarding the consequences of default, including adverse credit reports, federal offset, other federal delinquent debt collection procedures, and litigation under federal law
• Effects of loan consolidation, including the effect on total interest and fees to be paid, length of the repayment term, effect on borrower benefits on underlying loans (grace periods, deferment, loan forgiveness, and loan discharge), option to prepay or change repayment plans, and how borrower benefits may differ between lenders
• Explanation of the tax benefits available to the student
• Information concerning the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and how the student can use NSLDS to access his or her record
• Information regarding the services offered by the federal student loan Ombudsman’s Office
• Information containing (1) descriptions of federal student assistance programs, (2) the rights and responsibilities of student and institutional participants, and (3) ways in which students and prospective students can assess the debt burden and monthly and total repayment obligations for their loans

Students who receive federal student loans sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) that states the student is obligated to repay the student loan funds regardless of the student’s graduation, withdrawal from school, or inability to obtain employment. The Federal Direct Loan program offers students many different repayment options. Students are encouraged to meet with our financial aid counselor after graduation/bar to set up their repayment plan to suit their needs. The school’s Financial Aid office encourages one-on-one meetings to review the different repayment options. If at any time a student becomes delinquent on a loan it is the student’s responsibility to contact the school or lender to determine what options are available to the student.