Getting Started
The links below provide detailed information about the setup actions a school must complete prior to participating in the Direct Loan Program. The actions vary depending on whether a school is new to Title IV student assistance programs or just new to the Direct Loan Program.
Schools new to the Title IV student assistance programs
Schools participating in the Title IV programs but new to the Direct Loan Program
Direct Loan school contacts
Sometimes talking to a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program can be helpful in addressing questions and concerns. The National Direct Student Loan Coalition maintains a list of school staff with experience in the Direct Loan Program who have volunteered to share their expertise. The list gives phone numbers and email addresses for the mentors as well as their type of school (e.g., public or private), type of system (e.g., Banner, Datatel, homegrown), and number of students. We encourage you to contact these mentors to learn about the Direct Loan Program from a school's perspective.
Other useful sites to visit
Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP): www.ifap.ed.gov
Common Origination and Disbursement: www.cod.ed.gov
Direct Loan Servicing: www.dl.ed.gov
Direct Loan Consolidation: www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov
Direct Loan Software and Reference Material: www.fsadownload.ed.gov
FAA Access on the Web: www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/faa/faa.jsp
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS): https://www.nsldsfap.ed.gov/secure/logon.asp
Department of Education: www.ed.gov