Loans

Student loans, unlike grants and work study, are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Before you take out a student loan consider carefully the amount that you will have to repay in the years after graduation. Financial aid recipients may be eligible for either a Direct Subsidized Loan, a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, or a combination of both loans. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits to qualify.

Federal Student Loans 

Federal Student Direct Loans attributes: 

  • Enrolled in a financial aid eligible program of study 

  • Enrolled in at least 6 credits per term 

  • Complete Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling 

  • Aggregate limits apply- both annual and lifetime 

  • Repayment begins six months after you graduate, drop below 6 credits, or withdraw from all classes. Loan servicing information can be found at https://studentaid.gov/

The two primary Federal Student Direct Loans (DL) are Subsidized and Unsubsidized.  

Subsidized: 

  • Interest accrues once repayment begins 

  • Annual limits apply based on year in school 

  • Need based  

Unsubsidized: 

  • Interest accrues upon disbursement 

  • Non-need based 

  • Annual and lifetime limits apply 

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

  • Parents of dependent students may take out loans to supplement their child’s aid package.
  • PLUS loans are available regardless of income or assets, but a credit check is performed.
  • Parents may borrow up to the total Cost of Attendance at their child’s school minus any other financial aid received.
  • PLUS loans go into repayment 60 days after it is fully disbursed for the year and is the financial responsibility of the parents, not the student.
  • If the student agrees to make payments, but fails to make payments on time, the parent will be held responsible.
  • To ensure that your PLUS loan is processed in a timely manner, please follow the next few steps:
    1. Complete the PLUS Request form at the following link to notify the Financial Aid Office that you are interested in a PLUS Loan https://nicoletcollege.tfaforms.net/f/PLUSRequestForm
    2. Complete the online PLUS application at the following link https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/
    3. Complete the Parent’s Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Parents of Undergraduate Students found here: https://studentaid.gov/mpn/

Wisconsin Nursing Student Loans

The Nursing Student Loan Program provides loans to Wisconsin students who are enrolled at least half-time in the Nursing program. It is available to second year students enrolled in the core RN program. The maximum award per year is $3,000 with an overall maximum of $15,000. The student who participates in this program must agree to be employed as a licensed nurse in Wisconsin. For each of the first two years the student works as a nurse or nurse educator and meets the eligibility criteria, 25% of the loan is forgiven for a total of 50% forgiven. The balance remaining after forgiveness must be repaid at an interest rate of 5%. If the student does not work as a nurse or nurse educator and meet the eligibility criteria, the loan must be repaid at an interest rate of 5%. There are some general requirements students must meet for the nursing loan.

  • Be a resident of the state of Wisconsin.
  • Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program.
  • May not be listed on the Department of Workforce Development’s statewide Child Support Lien Docket, unless the student has an approved payment plan.