Processing Your Loans

First-time Stafford Loan Borrower Instructions
If you are borrowing the Stafford Loan for the first time at UW-River Falls, you must complete the Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Step 1: Accept Federal Stafford Loan
From your eSIS home page (your Student Center), click on View Financial Aid.
Choose the correct aid year.
Click on Accept/Decline Awards.
Click on the "Accept" box next to the loan if you want the full amount. To decrease the amount, click on the "Accept" box and enter your desired lesser amount.
Click Submit when finished.

Step 2: Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) 
The goal of this required online tutorial is to make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities of borrowing a Stafford Loan. As you are completing the Entrance Counseling and MPN, you will need your Social Security Number; FSA ID from the U.S. Department of Education; and addresses and phone numbers for references. 

Complete Entrance Counseling and Sign Loan Agreement (click "Complete Aid Process" in the menu bar).    

 

Previous Stafford Loan Borrower Instructions 
If you have previously borrowed a Stafford Loan at UW-River Falls and signed a Master Promissory Note (MPN), then you only need to accept the loan in your eSIS.

Step 1: Accept Federal Stafford Loan
From your eSIS home page (your Student Center), click on View Financial Aid.
Choose the correct aid year.
Click on Accept/Decline Awards.
Click on the "Accept" box next to the loan if you want the full amount. To decrease the amount, click on the "Accept" box and enter your desired lesser amount.
Click Submit when finished.

 

Parent PLUS Loan Borrower Instructions
To borrow a Parent PLUS Loan at UW-River Falls, you must complete the Parent PLUS Loan Request Form and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The U.S. Department of Education performs a credit check and approvals are good for 90 days. Parents can borrow the PLUS Loan for their dependent undergraduate student. A completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to borrow the PLUS Loan. If you are a parent that is not included on your student's FAFSA, please contact the UW-River Falls Financial Aid Office. 

Step 1: Complete Form 
Print and complete the Parent PLUS Loan Request Form (linked below), and submit it to the UW-River Falls Financial Aid Office. This form will authorize the Department of Education to conduct a credit check.

• 20-21 Federal Parent PLUS Loan application

Step 2: Master Promissory Note (MPN) 
Complete the Parent PLUS Loan MPN on the U.S. Department of Education's website: Complete Parent PLUS Loan MPN (log in with parent information, select the "Complete Master Promissory Note" link, and then select the "Parent PLUS" link to start the process). The PLUS Loan is a creditworthy loan and a credit check will be completed to determine eligibility. The Department will send a letter to you regarding the credit decision for your PLUS Loan application. If you have questions about the credit decision, contact the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-557-7394.

If a parent is denied the PLUS loan based on the credit check, the student becomes eligible for additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan up to $4000 (freshman/sophomore) or $5000 (junior/senior). Only one parent needs to apply for the PLUS Loan. If both parents apply and one is approved and one is denied, the student is not eligible for the additional Stafford Loan.

 

Apply online using either FASTChoice or Credible. (Note: UW River Falls receives no compensation or consideration from these providers of private education loan comparison services. You are not limited to using the lenders listed on either FASTChoice or Credible for private education loans).