Entrance & Exit Counseling
If you are borrowing a federal Direct Loan at Southwestern College, you are required to complete Entrance Counseling before your first loan is paid out, and Exit Counseling when you leave school or drop below half-time. Both are completed online and require your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) to log in.Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
Loan Entrance Counseling
Entrance Counseling is required for all first-time Direct Loan borrowers at Southwestern College. It makes sure you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. Your loan cannot be paid out until this requirement is complete.
To complete Entrance Counseling, log in with your StudentAid.gov account and select Southwestern College as the recipient school when you finish. This sends electronic confirmation directly to the Financial Aid Office. Printed copies are not accepted.
The Department of Education's Entrance Counseling Guide is also available for your reference.
Loan Exit Counseling
Federal law requires all Direct Loan borrowers to complete Exit Counseling any time they graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment for any reason. Exit Counseling prepares you to repay your loans by reviewing the types and amounts you borrowed and your rights and responsibilities under each loan program.
To complete Exit Counseling, log in with your StudentAid.gov account.
During the process you will be asked to provide the following:
- Name, address, email address, and phone number for your next of kin
- Two personal references who live in the United States
- Your current or expected employer, if known
You will also complete a short quiz specific to your loan program. All questions must be answered correctly before Exit Counseling is considered complete.
Exit Counseling Hold: A hold will be placed on your student records until you complete Exit Counseling AND notify the loan coordinator. This hold prevents you from registering for future classes at Southwestern College. Once both steps are done, the hold will be removed within 1 to 2 business days. Once you have completed Exit Counseling, you must notify the loan coordinator to have your hold removed. Your hold will not be released until both steps are complete.