Direct Loan Program

Important: Cerro Coso Community College does not participate in or certify private or alternative student loans.

Students must submit a valid FAFSA application (at StudentAid.gov) for the academic year in which they intend to borrow. California Dream Act applicants are not eligible for the Federal Direct Loan Program.

Skip to: Step 1 of the Loan Request

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Types of Direct Loans

William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

Direct Subsidized Loans are available to eligible undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. The U.S. Department of Education generally pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time and during other qualifying periods. Repayment generally begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not based on financial need. Interest accrues during all periods, including while the student is enrolled and during grace and deferment periods. Repayment generally begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Direct Parent PLUS Loans are available to eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time. A credit check is required, and interest accrues during all periods. Repayment generally begins after the loan is fully disbursed, although deferment may be available while the student is enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Direct Loans are subject to current federal interest rates and origination fees. Review current interest rates and fees for federal student loans.

Federal Direct Loan Lifetime Limits for Undergraduate

Annual Loan Limits

Student status	Maximum subsidized	Maximum combined
Dependent Dependent first-year	$3,500	$5,500
Dependent second-year	$4,500	$6,500
Independent first-year	$3,500	$9,500
Independent second-year	$4,500	$10,500

First-year status applies to students who have completed 0 to 29.5 program-applicable units. Second-year status applies to students who have completed 30 or more program-applicable units. Students with transfer units may need a counselor evaluation before their grade level can be updated.

Aggregate Loan Limits

Student status	Maximum subsidized	Maximum combined
Dependent undergraduate	$23,000	$31,000
Independent undergraduate	$23,000	$57,500

Actual eligibility may be lower based on financial need, cost of attendance, program length, remaining program requirements, enrollment, previous borrowing, and other federal eligibility requirements.

Getting Started

Cerro Coso Community College encourages students to apply for grants and scholarships before borrowing. A student loan is a long-term financial obligation and should be limited to the amount reasonably needed for educational expenses.

Loan funds are generally divided into two disbursements during the semester. Students must meet all eligibility requirements on each scheduled disbursement date.

Semester-Based Requests, Proration, and Waiting Periods

Students must submit a separate Federal Direct Loan Request for each semester in which they wish to borrow. Requests do not carry over to another semester.

Annual loan eligibility is divided between the fall and spring semesters. Students may not receive their full annual loan eligibility in a single semester.

The approved semester amount may be prorated based on enrollment intensity, program length, and remaining program requirements. Actual eligibility also depends on financial need, cost of attendance, prior borrowing, and applicable annual and aggregate loan limits. Only eligible units applicable to the student’s declared program and Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) will be considered. Students must remain enrolled in at least six eligible units to qualify for a Federal Direct Loan.

• Returning borrowers: Loan funds will not be disbursed until at least two weeks after the start of the semester.
• First-time, first-year borrowers: Loan funds will not be disbursed until at least 30 days after the start of the semester.

Disbursement may be delayed further if documentation is incomplete, eligibility has not been confirmed, or an academic progress review is required.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for a Federal Direct Loan, students must:

1. Have a completed financial aid file and finalized financial aid awards.
2. Be enrolled in at least six eligible units applicable to their declared program. Wait-listed courses do not count.
3. Be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at Cerro Coso Community College.
4. Declare Cerro Coso Community College as their home school.
5. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress or have an approved financial aid appeal, when applicable.
6. Have a declared major and educational goal.
7. Have a current CSEP and be enrolled only in courses included in that plan.
8. Complete all required loan documents and processing steps.

Students on Financial Aid Suspension without an approved appeal are not eligible for Federal Direct Loans.

Steps to Complete Loan Process

Submit all required steps and supporting documentation together. Incomplete submissions cannot be processed or disbursed. 

Steps requiring confirmation must be documented through screenshots, images, PDFs, or other requested materials uploaded through Verification Connection. 

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Step 1 – Semester Loan Request

Required for new and renewal borrowers each semester

Request a Loan

• Submit a separate Federal Direct Loan Request for each semester in which you wish to borrow. The request applies only to the semester identified on the form.
• The requested amount is not guaranteed. The Financial Aid Office will determine eligibility and will prorate the loan based on enrollment intensity, eligible program-applicable units, program length, remaining program requirements, financial need, cost of attendance, previous borrowing, and federal loan limits.
• Complete the Federal Direct Loan Request Form and upload all required documentation through Verification Connection.

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Step 2 – Required Loan Workshop

Required annually for new and renewal borrowers

All borrowers must attend the Financial Aid Loan Workshop before their loan can be certified. Workshop information will be provided by email after the loan request is submitted.

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Step 3 – Entrance Counseling

Required for new borrowers

First-time borrowers at Cerro Coso Community College must complete federal Entrance Counseling at StudentAid.gov. 

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Step 4 – Master Promissory Note

Required when a new or updated MPN is needed

Students must complete a valid Master Promissory Note using their FSA ID. The Financial Aid Office will notify returning borrowers if a new MPN is required.

Complete Master Promissory Note (MPN)

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Step 5 – Financial Aid Videos and Quizzes

Required for new and renewal borrowers

• New borrowers must complete the First-Time Borrower Module.
• Renewal borrowers must complete the Renewal Borrower Module.
• Submit confirmation through Verification Connection.

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Step 6 – Comprehensive Student Education Plan

Required for all borrowers

• All borrowers must have a current CSEP and be enrolled only in courses included in that plan.
• To complete a CSEP in person or by phone, contact the Counseling Department at (760) 384-6219.

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Step 7 – Additional References

Required for new and renewal borrowers

Submit two personal references who are not listed on the Master Promissory Note. References may be contacted.

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Step 8 – Loan Servicer Account

Required for renewal borrowers

Returning borrowers must create an online account with their assigned loan servicer. Students who do not know their servicer can log in to StudentAid.gov and review the My Aid section.

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Step 9 – Government-Issued Photo Identification

Required for new and renewal borrowers

Submit a clear copy of the front and back of a valid, unexpired driver's license or state-issued photo identification card.

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Step 10 – Progress Review for Students on Warning or an Approved SAP Appeal

Students on Financial Aid Warning or an approved SAP appeal must complete an academic progress review before loan funds can be released.

Progress reports are requested from instructors during Week 4 and again during Week 8 if satisfactory progress is not confirmed during Week 4.

The Financial Aid Office generally needs one to two weeks after requesting reports to receive instructor responses, review academic progress, and determine continued loan eligibility.

• If satisfactory progress is confirmed during Week 4, the loan may be approved and disbursed after eligibility is verified.
• If progress is not satisfactory or cannot be confirmed, another review may occur during Week 8.
• If satisfactory progress is not confirmed during Week 8, end-of-term grades may be reviewed before eligibility is determined.

Loan approval is not guaranteed. Funds may be disbursed later in the semester if satisfactory progress and continued eligibility are confirmed.

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Federal Loan Reporting Disclosure

Information disclosed to students or parents of students who enter into an agreement regarding a Title IV, HEA loan that the loan will be submitted to NSLDS and accessible by authorized agencies, lenders and institutions [HEOA 489 amended HEA Sec. 485B]

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Find What You Need to Succeed

Direct Loan Resources

CC Federal Direct Loan Workshop (PDF)Direct Loan Process GuideCurrent Loan PriceFAFSA

Financial Aid TV Videos

What is a Federal Direct Student Loan?William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent PLUS LoanCompound InterestCerro Coso FATV

Contact Financial Aid

Federal School Code: 010111

Phone: (760) 384-6221 | Fax: (760) 384-6321 | Email: cc_faid@cerrocoso.edu

Address:
Cerro Coso Community College
Office of Financial Aid
3000 College Heights Blvd
Ridgecrest, CA 93555

*If you are joining the Virtual Lobby to complete identity verification, please have two valid forms of government-issued identification available. You will also need a device with a working camera to complete the verification process.

Additional Information