College Loan Advice What is a Federal Direct Loan? Written by Shannon Vasconceloson May 19th, 2021 I came to College Coach with close to 10 years of experience in college financial aid offices. I began my career at Boston University, where I counseled students and their parents on the financial aid process and reviewed undergraduate financial aid applications. At Tufts University, where I served as assistant director of financial aid, I developed expertise in the field of health professions financial aid. I was responsible for financial aid application review, grant awarding and loan processing, and college financing and debt management counseling for both pre- and post-doctoral dental students. I have also served as an active member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s Early Awareness and Outreach Committee, coordinating early college awareness activities for middle school students; as a trainer for the Department of Education’s National Training for Counselors and Mentors, educating high school guidance counselors on the financial aid process; and as a volunteer for FAFSA Day Massachusetts, aiding students and parents with the completion of online financial aid applications. Learn More About Shannon college loans, federal direct loans, paying for college, With the decision deadline of May 1 in the rearview mirror many families are trying to figure out ways to cover unmet college costs. Did your student receive a federal direct loan on their financial aid award letter? Parents, are you considering borrowing from the Parent PLUS Loan Program to finance your share of the tuition bill? In this video, finance educator Shannon Vasconcelos explains what it means to borrow a direct loan. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to keep up to date on all the latest college planning tips from our college admissions and finance experts. Related Resources Read | Posted on April 11th, 2024 How Much College Debt is Too Much? Read | Posted on March 28th, 2024 What is a Federal Parent PLUS Loan? Read | Posted on February 6th, 2024 Is the SAVE Student Loan Repayment Plan Right for Me?
