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Student loans are available to students who need additional funding to help cover the cost of attending college.
To be eligible for a federal student loan you must meet the basic eligibility criteria for Federal Student Aid and the following:
- MCC must have your FAFSA information
- All items on your Student Center To Do List must be completed
- You must be enrolled for 6 or more credits
- You must maintain an enrollment of 6 or more credits during the semester
Once you’re out of school, student loans must be repaid. However, the interest is typically lower than consumer rates.
MCC offers the following loans:
Federal Direct Loans
- Subsidized loan – You must have financial need to be eligible for a subsidized loan. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan while you’re in school for at least half-time enrollment, and for the first 6 months after you leave school.
- Unsubsidized loan – There is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. The U.S. Department of Education will not pay interest on an Unsubsidized Loan.
- Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loan) – This is a federal loan that parents of dependent students can borrow to help pay for their child's/step-child's college expenses. The parent borrower must apply for a PLUS Loan and meet the credit requirements. The amount a parent can borrow will depend on the student’s Cost of Attendance and other aid the student has been offered. If your parent would like to apply for a Fall 24/Spring 25 PLUS loan to send the online PLUS Loan Request Form to your parent.
Private Education Loans
Private education loans are non-federal loans you borrow from a lender such as a bank, credit union, or state agency. Requirements to receive a private loan at MCC:
- You must apply for a private loan and meet the credit requirements
- You must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
- You must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester in which you’ll receive private loan funds
- You must be enrolled in an eligible degree plan at MCC.
The private loan amount you can borrow will depend on your Cost of Attendance and the amount of other aid you’ve been offered. We recommend that you start with federal student loans due to the benefits they offer. Compare the difference between federal and private loans.
If would like to add a private loan to your federal student aid award you can visit Credible. Credible is an online tool that allows students to compare personalized loans from multiple lenders. Students can analyze pre-qualified rates, terms, and eligibility rules side-by-side in just a matter of minutes. Credible is not a lender or bank. Credible partners with private lenders so that applicants have a variety of competitive options, each addressing their particular needs.
Note: Mesa Community College does not endorse any of the lenders included at the link above and cannot recommend specific lenders. Students may also choose to use a loan provider that does not appear in the list of lenders included in the link above.