California Institute of Integral Studies

What is an Entrance Loan Counseling?

If you have not previously received a Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), the Federal Government requires you to complete entrance counseling to ensure that you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming.

If you are completing entrance counseling to borrow a loan as an undergraduate student, then the entrance counseling will fulfill counseling requirements for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

If you are completing entrance counseling to borrow a loan as a graduate or professional student, the entrance counseling will fulfill counseling requirements for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans.

3. Complete Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note (MPN) with our school code 012154.

The Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your federal student loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to your lender or loan holder. There is one MPN for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans and a different MPN for Direct PLUS Loans. Most schools are authorized to make multiple federal student loans under one MPN for up to 10 years.

Steps to Apply for a Grad Plus Loan.

1. Complete the Direct Plus Loan Application with our school code 012154, which allows you to authorize California Institute of Integral Studies to use your loan funds to satisfy other educationally related charges after tuition and fees and room and board have been paid. You are not required to provide this authorization.

2. Complete the Plus Master Promissory Note (MPN) with our school code 012154, which explains all of the terms and conditions of Direct PLUS Loans and constitutes your legally binding agreement to repay all Direct PLUS Loans that you receive under the Direct PLUS Loan MPN.