Signing Your MPN

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN BORROWERS

Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN)

This information will guide you through the three-step process to accept your Direct Loan award, complete Entrance Counseling and sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN). Please note that all three steps must be completed in order for your loan funds to credit to your student account. You must also meet all compliance requirements such as Standards of Academic Progress and have met all other federal, state, and institutional requirements.

Entrance Counseling

If this is your first academic year at Kent State (including transfer students), you are required to complete Entrance Counseling- complete Step #2 below. If you attended Kent State University in a previous academic year and borrowed a Federal Direct Loan, you are exempt from the Entrance Counseling requirement.
Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN)

If you signed the Federal Direct Loan eMPN (either the electronic or paper version) in a previous year and that promissory note is currently valid, you are not required to sign again. The eMPN is a promissory note that can be used to borrow one or more Direct Loans for one or more academic years (up to 10 years) – complete Step #3 below.

YOU MUST FULLY COMPLETE ALL THREE STEPS

Step 1: LOAN ACCEPTANCE

• Your Direct Loan has been awarded in the Offered status.
• In order for your funds to credit to your student account, you must Accept the Direct Loan award in your FlashLine account.
  • Go to Student / Finances and in the Financial Aid section, click on "Financial Aid Awards" link.
  • Select Aid Year and submit.    
  • Under the Accept Award Offer tab, you have the option to reduce, decline, or accept your Direct Loan award.
   

  Access the Guide to FlashLine

• Once you submit your option and would like to change, you must contact the Student Financial Aid Office.

• Note: You will need your Department of Education FSA ID to complete both of the steps outlined below. This is the same FSA ID that you utilize to sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you do not know your FSA ID, visit the FSA ID website at StudentAid.gov.

Step 2: ENTRANCE  COUNSELING

• Entrance Counseling will help you understand your Direct Loan.
• To complete the entrance counseling tutorial and quiz, access the Department of Education website at StudentAid.gov.
• You must use your Department of Education FSA ID to sign in on this site.

Step 3: ELECTRONICALLY SIGN YOUR PROMISSORY NOTE

• To electronically sign, you must access the Department of Education website at StudentAid.gov.
• The signature process is completed once you can view the screen that indicates SUCCESS!
• Now Print Your MPN.
• This screen will appear after you have completed all the steps for eMPN signing

Your Electronic Master Promissory Note will be automatically forwarded to the Kent State University within 5-7 business days from date of signing.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Electronic PLUS Master Promissory Note Signature Requirements

Parents who are interested in borrowing the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan must complete the electronic PLUS application and PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) at StudentAid.gov.

• KNOW YOUR FSA ID - Your Department of Education FSA ID is required for parent borrowers to access the Department of Education website StudentAid.gov. Use your FSA ID to Sign In and request the PLUS loan. You will be required to provide personal information for the credit evaluation performed by the Department of Education. If you do not know your FSA ID, visit the FSA ID website at StudentAid.gov.
• KNOW YOUR STUDENT INFORMATION - You will need to provide your dependent student's social security number, date of birth, school, and academic year you select to borrow.
• SIGN YOUR PLUS PROMISSORY NOTE - During the PLUS application process, you will be prompted to complete the electronic PLUS Master Promissory Note. You will be asked to provide address information and references.

Application

Use the chart below to determine when to submit your PLUS application to the Department of Education. The PLUS credit evaluation is valid for only 90 days. If your credit decision expires before Kent State processes the PLUS loan, you will need to reapply with the Department of Education.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR GRADUATE PLUS LOAN BORROWERS

Electronic Graduate PLUS Application and Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note Requirements

Graduate students who are interested in borrowing the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan must complete the Electronic Graduate PLUS application and Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) at StudentAid.gov.

You will need your Department of Education FSA ID to Sign In and request the Graduate PLUS loan. During the Graduate PLUS application process, you will be prompted to complete the electronic PLUS Master Promissory Note. You will be asked to provide address information and references.

Entrance Counseling for Graduate PLUS Borrowers

Entrance Counseling is required for all Graduate PLUS borrowers. Entrance Counseling will help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a graduate PLUS loan borrower. Entrance Counseling must be completed on the StudentAid.gov website.

Application 

Use the chart below to determine when to submit your electronic Graduate PLUS application to the Department of Education. The PLUS credit evaluation is valid for only 90 days. If your credit decision expires before Kent State processes the PLUS loan, you will need to reapply with the Department of Education.