Loans
Explore your options to pay for college.
Learn MoreLoans are a type of financial aid that must be repaid—with interest—at a future date. There are different types of loan options available to pay for your education expenses. TCC participates in the U.S. Department of Education’s Direct Loan Program, and we can help you navigate subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans, Federal Parent PLUS Loans, and more.
To apply, students must be enrolled in at least six credits.
Federal Direct Loans
The federal government’s Direct Loan program provides low-interest, long-term loans directly to students and parents. The lender (or guarantor) is the U.S. Department of Education (ED) rather than a bank. Loans guaranteed by the federal government have much better rates and repayment terms than private loans.
These loans are available to students who demonstrate financial need, based on the information you provide on the FAFSA. The federal government pays the loan interest while you attend college and during your six-month grace period. There are limits on how much you can borrow based on your grade level in school.
READY TO APPLY FOR A DIRECT LOAN?
Follow the steps in the Direct Loan Application Process.
These loans are available to students who don’t demonstrate financial need, based on the information you provide on the FAFSA. You are responsible for all interest that accrues on the loan. You may choose to make interest payments while in school or defer interest payments, which will then be added to the principal of the loan. There are limits on how much you can borrow based on your grade level in school.
READY TO APPLY FOR A DIRECT LOAN?
Follow the steps in the Direct Loan Application Process.
PLUS loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to help pay for their child’s college expenses. The student must be enrolled in at least six financial aid eligible credits and in a degree program. Parents may borrow up to the student’s full cost of education minus any other types of financial aid. The parent is responsible for repaying the loan plus any interest. The parent’s credit history will be checked by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
Follow the steps in the Parent PLUS loan Application Process.
APPLYING FOR A PLUS LOAN
If your family is interested in a Parent PLUS loan, please contact a financial aid advisor a campus financial aid office.
Repayment of the loan usually begins six months after you: graduate, withdraw from your classes, or drop below six credit hours during the semester.
Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal student loan borrowers must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the point of loan certification and again prior to the disbursement of any loan proceeds.