Direct Loan Program

The loan process has gone paperless! You will now be completing your documents through Verification Connection after completing your SCHEDULED MANDATORY workshop.

Loan Request Form

Right to Cancel

Any time Bakersfield College credits a student account with Title IV loan funds, a notification is sent to the student, or parent for a Parent PLUS Loan, of the anticipated date and amount of the disbursement, the student's or parent's right to cancel within 14 days all or a portion of the loan, and the procedures and time by which the student or parent must notify the institution that he or she wishes to cancel the loan or loan disbursement.

You can view the Right to Cancel form below under "Additional Information."

Get Current Interest Rates

You MUST have a valid FAFSA application for the year you intend to borrow loans. Dream Act applicants are not eligible for the Direct Loan program.

Types of Direct Loans

Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent Plus

Watch a short video on Types of Federal Student Loans

Subsidized

Requires financial need, as determined by federal regulations; No interest is charged while a student is in school at least half-time, during the grace period, and during deferment periods. Payment due 6 months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment.

Unsubsidized

Not based on financial need; interest is charged during all periods, even during the time a student is in school and during grace and deferment periods. Payment due 6 months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment.

Parent PLUS

Must be the parent of a dependent student enrolled at least half-time; credit check is required; not based on financial need; interest charged during all periods, even during the time a student is in school and during grace and deferment periods. Payment due 60 days after final disbursement (may be deferred while student is enrolled at least half-time).

All the above loan types have loan fees that are a percentage of the total loan amount. See Federal Student Aid's current loan fees.

Note: During your Online sessions, you will observe the following:

Information disclosed to students or parents of students who enter into an agreement regarding a Title IV, HEA loan that the loan will be submitted to NSLDS and accessible by authorized agencies, lenders and institutions [HEOA 489 amended HEA Sec. 485B]

Videos about Direct Loans

Private Loans

Private loans are alternative loans students or parents/guardians may apply to assist in meeting school related expenses-tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, housing.

Bakersfield College Financial Aid Office does not promote or endorse any specific private lender.  We advise that the private/alternative loan option be used as a last resort after all Federal Direct Loan options have been exhausted (as Federal Direct Loans generally have better benefits and lower interest rates).

Bakersfield College does not have revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender nor receive gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or a loan servicer.  Bakersfield College does not have a contract arrangement providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender, offer funds for private loans, or direct borrowers to particular lenders, or refusing or delaying loan certifications.  Additionally, Bakersfield College does not participate in any Advisory Board compensation or call center or financial aid office staffing assistance.

Historic Lenders at Bakersfield College

Below is our historic lenders from whom our students have borrowed over the past years.  This list is not meant to be an endorsement of any lender and is not a preferred lender list.

Sallie Mae Student Loans   1 (800) 472-5543

Eligibility Requirements

1. Your Financial Aid Awards must be finalized in order to apply for a Federal Direct Loan.
2. You must be enrolled in at least 6 degree applicable units (excluding remedial units) in an eligible program. Wait listed courses do not count.
3. Bakersfield College must be declared as your home school.
4. You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in the Terms of Agreement for Bakersfield College.
5. You must have a declared major and educational goal and be following a Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP). All loan borrowers need to acquire a CSEP.
6. Students on Financial Aid Suspension are ineligible for Direct Loans.

Getting Started

• Direct Loan Instructions
• Federal Direct Loan Request and Terms
• National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
• Entrance Counseling

Loan Application Deadlines

Exit Counseling

You are required to complete Exit Counseling once you graduate, leave school, or drop below halftime enrollment. Exit Counseling provides important information you will need as you prepare to repay your federal student loan(s).

Please follow the steps below:

Step 1: Have the following information available:

• FSA ID Username or E-mail Address
• FSA ID Password
• School code 00111800

If you have misplaced your FSA ID or password, you must click on Login and follow the Forgot ID or Password indicator.

Step 2: Log in to the studentaid.gov website: Exit Counseling

This website offers loan verification and exit counseling. Once logged in, you will select Complete Counseling, which will allow you to select the Exit Counseling requirement.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid for any assistance with your Exit Counseling.

Additional Information

• Deferment and Forbearance Information
• Right to Cancel Information and form
• Steps to Request a Loan Deferment
• Federal Student Loans Information
• Private Loan Self-Certification form
• FSA Partner-BC 3 Year CDR
• FSA Partner-National Average
  • In the event Bakersfield College’s CDR was to rise above the national average, then we will implement our Bakersfield College Cohort Default Prevention Plan, post it on our website, and our CDR.

Avoid defaulting on your student loan!

Don't Lose Your Tax Return!

Did you know?

The government can take your tax return if you default on your federal student loan.

There are options that may help you avoid loan default. Bakersfield College has teamed up with E.C.M.C. Solutions to provide student loan borrowers a resource to help you manage your educational loans. This service is FREE of charge and you can contact them regarding loan repayment advice, repayment plan options, forbearances and deferments, and loan forgiveness.

Contact E.C.M.C. Solutions by phone at 1-877-331-3262 or visit E.C.M.C. Solutions to connect through email or web chat with one of their counselors.

The loan process has gone paperless! You will now be completing your documents through Verification Connection after completing your SCHEDULED MANDATORY workshop. Please complete the Loan Request Form.

Are you past due on your federal student loans? Call today to get on the right track-with your federal student loans at 1-844-ON-TRACK or visit ECMC Solutions. Our services are provided to your at no cost by your former school!

ECMC Solutions Hours M-Thu: 7 AM-8 PM CT; F: 7 AM-5 PM CT; S: 8:30 AM-12:30 PM CT

Contact Financial Aid

Federal School Code: 001118

Phone: (661) 395-4428 | Fax: (661) 395-4688 | Email: bc_faid@bakersfieldcollege.edu

Address:
Bakersfield College
Office of Financial Aid
1801 Panorama Dr.
Bakersfield, CA 93305