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New Loans

Loan Eligibility
This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Whitworth University. The loan fund is limited and targets the neediest students. The borrower must satisfy eligibility requirements as established by the U.S. Department of Education, and demonstrate financial need. Perkins Loans carry a simple interest rate of 5 percent and are repayable by the borrower over a period of 10 years following graduation, dropping enrollment below a half-time credit load, or withdrawing from school. No interest is charged while students are in school and during a nine-month grace period thereafter.

Signing for Perkins Loan
Perkins Promissory Notes are mailed each year during the first week of August to students who have been awarded a Perkins Loan for the coming school year. The promissory notes are sent to the student's permanent address. If you have been awarded a Perkins Loan and you have a change of address, it is very important that you contact the Whitworth Student Loan Office at 509.777.4323.

All loans not signed for will be cancelled.

Promissory Note: This is the binding legal document signed by the borrower when a student loan is received. It lists the conditions under which the student is borrowing and the terms under which the student agrees to pay back the loan. It will include information about the interest rate, deferment, and cancellation provisions. It is very important to read and save this document as it will be needed later when loan repayment begins.

Perkins Counseling
Federal regulations require all Federal Perkins Loan Borrowers to participate annually in Perkins Entrance Loan Counseling before receiving the initial disbursement of loan proceeds.

Federal regulations require all student loan borrowers to participate in Perkins Exit Loan Counseling whenever they drop below half-time enrollment status, withdraw, or graduate.

Loan Amount
Undergraduate students may borrow up to $5,500 per year with a total of $38,500 borrowed during their undergraduate program. Graduate students or those in professional studies, may borrow up to $8,000 per year with a total amount of $60,000 borrowed (in both undergraduate and graduate schools). The actual amount received depends upon the student's financial need and the school's available funding. To find out more, please contact the Whitworth Student Loan Office at 509.777.4323.

Receiving Loan Money
Whitworth will transfer the loan funds to the student's account once all loan papers are signed and financial aid is finalized. The loan will be divided into at least two disbursements during the academic year.