When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. You must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand the different types of student loans and repayment options so you can successfully repay your loan.
Attention Part-Time Loan Borrowers
As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), federal student loan borrowing amounts have changed. This will apply to all BRTC student (not parent) borrowers with Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and/or Graduate PLUS loans (even those considered legacy borrowers who borrowed prior to July 1, 2026).
Types of Student Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school. A SUBSIDIZED loan is one where the government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, but eligibility is not based on financial need. An UNSUBSIDIZED loan is one where the government does not pay the interest while the student is in school, that is, the student is responsible for paying the interest.
Direct PLUS Loans are loans made to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Eligibility is not based on financial need, but a credit check is required. Borrowers who have an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify. If you are interested in a Parent Plus loan, please contact the Financial Aid office.
Direct Consolidation Loans allow you to combine all of your eligible federal student loans into a single loan with a single loan servicer.
Private Student Loans are made by private organizations such banks, credit unions, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations, and have terms and conditions that are set by the lender. Private student loans are generally more expensive than federal student loans.
Application for Student Loan
Complete the BRTC Student Loan Application.
Below are the links to the different steps that you will need to complete the application. Please let the Financial Aid Office know if any of these links do not work for you.
Online Requirements
- Entrance Counseling (1st time borrowers only)
- Master Promissory Note (1st time borrowers only)
- Loan History
- Occupational Wages
- Salaries Loan Calculator
- Voices of Debt Video
- Student Loan Presentation
Loan Disbursement Dates
Disbursement dates: Date your loan is credited to your student account to satisfy any existing charges.
Refund: Only occurs when all charges are covered and a credit balance is created.
Refund Date: 7-10 days after Disbursement Date and is when an email is sent to your BRTC student email, notifying you the refund has been mailed to you.
The disbursement date schedule is intended only to give students an approximate time frame to expect a loan refund. Students who apply for loans or who are awarded loans after these dates will receive their first disbursement at a later date.
BRTC processes loan disbursements once per month to accommodate students who made loan requests after the semester had begun.
The "once per month" disbursement dates are subject to change from month to month; therefore, check your BRTC GMAIL regularly for messages from the Business Office if a refund is expected.
Loan Management
Learn from the U.S. Department of Education how to manage your student loans, sign a Master Promissory Note, view entrance loan counseling and exit counseling, and understand repayment options.
Exit Counseling
BRTC requires students to complete exit counseling once they have completed a degree.
Deferment and Forbearance
A deferment or forbearance allows you to temporarily postpone making your federal student loan payments or to temporarily reduce the amount you pay.
Learn more from the U.S. Department of Education.
BRTC Loan Policy
Students who wish to borrow funds from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program should be aware of the following federal regulations.
