Montcalm Community College has established a financial aid program of grants, loans, scholarships and work study opportunities in an effort to assist students with their expenses. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) used by the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility for most aid sources. The amount awarded through each program depends greatly upon an analysis of the applicant’s financial situation.
2026-27 Academic Year
The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available. You can complete the form to apply for financial aid for attendance at MCC between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
***Students taking classes during the summer 2026 semester must complete the 25-26 FAFSA.
Student Loans
Student loans are a form of financial aid that students can apply for to help with educational costs. Student loans are available for those not qualifying for grants or scholarships. Students must arrange for repayment of these loans.
Applying for Student Loans
Student loans are a form of financial aid that students can apply for to help with educational costs. Student loans are available for those not qualifying for grants or scholarships. Students must arrange for repayment of these loans.
In order to request a student loan, you will need to follow these steps:
Go to login.montcalm.edu
Sign in using your MCC login information
Go to Etrieve App
Forms
FA Direct Loan Request
Types of Student Loans
A Federal Direct Stafford Loan is available to you through Montcalm Community College. It may be either subsidized or unsubsidized, based on need. With a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, you are not required to start repayment until you drop below half-time enrollment in college or you exit college. You, the borrower, are responsible for repayment of student loans.
Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with financial need. Your school will review the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with your loan request form and determine the amount you can borrow. You are not charged interest while you’re in school at least half-time and during grace periods and deferment periods.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
You are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Like subsidized loans, your school will determine the amount you can borrow once a request is completed. Interest accrues (accumulates) on an unsubsidized loan from the time it’s first paid out. You can pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). If you choose not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount you have to repay because you will be charged interest on a higher principal amount.
Student Loan Review
Frequently Asked Questions
The master promissory note is a document stating that you agree to repay all loans taken out under this master promissory note. For more information, review studentaid.gov/mpn.
The Master Promissory Note (MPN) allows you to take out federal student loans. It also allows you to take out multiple loans under the same MPN for up to 10 years.
You fill it out once before applying for a student loan. It’s good for up to 10 years.
You are required to have an FSA ID to complete it electronically. To request a PIN, visit the FSA ID site.
Yes, using your federal PIN. To request a PIN, visit the FSA ID site.
Subsidized loans are based on need, and the students aren’t charged interest while in school, grace period, and deferment. Unsubsidized loans aren’t based on need, and the student is charged interest from the time the loan is received.
To apply for student loans, follow the financial aid guide as well as the steps above to apply for Stafford loan
After the loan is awarded, your participation is verified during the semester. Your loan money will then be disbursed in two payments. Your first payment will be disbursed shortly after you are verified, and the second payment will follow 30 days after the first or the next semester of enrollment.
For direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, the current interest rates are 6.39% for undergraduates. The amount is limited depending which year of study you are (freshmen, sophomore, etc.).
The maximum amount you can borrow is $57,500 as an independent student, with the maximum of $23,000 in a subsidized loan. As a dependent student, the amount you can borrow is $31,000 with the maximum of $23,000 in a subsidized loan. The amount is limited depending on which year of study you are (freshmen, sophomore, etc.)
Yes. You need to log into Etrieve in your MyApps portal at login.montcalm.edu.
To figure out who your loan servicer is, you need to go to National Student Loan Data System and log in using your federal PIN. Once you get on there, click on which loan to check to your loan servicer.
Contact your loan servicer to set up a payment plan, and make full on time payments for the duration.
Repayments of loans begin six months after you exit schooling or drop below half time enrollment.
The best thing to do if you have trouble repaying your loans is to contact your loan servicer. They can provide you with options to help you avoid default.
The college offers some online resources that can help with debt management. To view, visit: Debt Management Resources.