Loan Counseling

 

Mandatory Entrance Loan Counseling

First-time borrowers of Direct Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans at USC are required to complete entrance loan counseling before loan funds can be disbursed. This is required per federal regulation and university policy, even if you previously borrowed loans at another college or university. To complete the entrance loan counseling online:

1. Visit iGrad.
2. Select "Start Course."
3. Log in to your iGrad account using your USC NetID.

The process should take about 30 minutes. Once your session is successfully completed, your information will be transmitted to USC within two to three business days.

Timely completion of entrance counseling will ensure that you receive your funds in time to pay tuition and fees by the settlement deadline.

Additional Requirement for First-Time Undergraduate Borrowers

In addition to completing online entrance counseling, first-time undergraduate borrowers must also complete the Cash Course, a series of webinars provided through iGrad, to serve as a starting point to managing your finances, including your financial aid. Please look for an email in the first weeks of class for more information.

Although graduate and professional students are not required to complete the Cash Course, we believe you will find the course helpful in managing your investment in education, and we encourage all graduate students to participate.

 

Mandatory Exit Loan Counseling

If you have borrowed from the Direct Loan and/or Graduate PLUS Loan program and you are graduating, taking a leave of absence or enrolling less than half-time, federal regulations and university policy require you to complete exit loan counseling.

Federal Loan Counseling Requirement

To complete the exit loan counseling online:

1. Visit iGrad.
2. Select "Start Course".
3. Log in to your iGrad account using your USC NetID.

The process should take about 30 minutes. Once your session is successfully completed, your information will be transmitted to USC within two to three business days.