Understand the Federal Student Loan Process

Your award letter from your college/university will typically include a list of the financial aid you qualify for, such as grants, scholarships, work-study and federal loans.

Application Process

If you qualify for federal student loans, such as Federal Stafford Loans or PLUS loans, your school will provide instructions on how to apply and may even provide the application(s)/Master Promissory Note (MPN), should you decide to accept a loan.

If an application is not included and you wish to apply for a federal student loan, you can complete a Federal Stafford Loan application online (if your school supplies you with a URL link), by downloading a PDF or by requesting a paper application be mailed to you for completion.

Choose a Lender

If you are attending a FFELP school, you will need to choose a lender before completing your loan application.

Eligibility Confirmation

After completing the application, your college/university will need to certify the loan, which means they will confirm your eligibility for the loan and set the loan period as well as the disbursement dates.

Funds Disbursement

Once Iowa Student Loan receives the certification from your school, we will send the money directly to your school on the date they request. Your college/university will then apply the loan amount to your college/university student account.