What are student loans?
Student loans are a type of financial aid. Besides student loans, financial aid also includes grants, scholarships, and work-study. Learn more about student loans from ACC’s Financial Aid office.
How do you get a student loan?
- To get a student loan, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov.
- Visit this page for information on how and when to apply.
- If you need help completing the FAFSA stop by your campus Financial Aid office or connect with local non-profit Foundation Communities for free assistance.
You may also get a student loan from a bank or other lender; however, we highly recommend considering federal student loans first.
How much should I borrow?
Only borrow what you need. You are not obligated to take what is offered. Spend time calculating your expenditures and income for the entire semester. Our semester-based budget can help. If you need help figuring out how much you need, meet with a financial coach.
Where can I learn more?
- Explore ACC’s Financial Aid webpage for more information about student loans and other types of financial aid.
- Take one of our free online courses:
- Borrowing smart and preparing for higher education (20 minutes)
- Repaying your student loans (18 minutes)
- Staying on track with student loans while in school (25 minutes)
- Federal Student Aid’s YouTube channel has many great videos explaining financial aid, including the video below!