Loan Exit Counseling

Loan Exit Counseling is required of all borrowers of Federal Loans upon graduation or withdrawal from HGSE. This process will familiarize you with your rights and responsibilities after you leave school and begin repayment on your loans. It is an important part of being an educated and informed borrower.

If you borrowed a Federal Perkins, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized or Direct Grad PLUS Loan while enrolled at HGSE you must complete this requirement. You will use your Harvard ID number and PIN to login and begin the process. You will also use your Federal PIN number to complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling and should have the names and addresses of two references to include on your exit forms.

Students must complete Exit Counseling prior to commencement.

Complete Your Exit Counseling Requirements Electronically:

Carefully read all instructions to ensure the successful completion of your exit counseling requirements. The HGSE Financial Aid Office will monitor for completed exit counseling; please contact our office if you have difficulty accessing the site.

Please complete your Federal Perkins Loan Exit first (if necessary), then return to the site and complete your Federal Direct Loan Exit.

Harvard Exit Counseling Website for Graduating Students

Optional group loan counseling sessions will also be offered on the following dates:

Tuesday, May 6, 10-11am, Eliot Lyman Room, 2nd Floor, Longfellow Hall

Thursday, May 8, 12-1pm, Eliot Lyman Room, 2nd Floor, Longfellow Hall

Wednesday, May 14, 4-5pm, Room 440, Gutman Library

Listed below are links to important forms and publications that you should review or save for future reference. Should you have difficulty with these links or questions please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Publications for Exiting Loan Borrowers

• Loan Contact Information Sheet (91KB pdf)
• Class of 2007 Graduating Debt Information (78KB pdf)
• Identity Theft Information (20KB pdf)

Useful websites for Loan Borrowers

Find information and online access to your loans through the following sites:

• Harvard Student Loan Office - contact for Federal Perkins Loan borrowers
• Federal Direct Loan Servicing Center - contact for Direct Loan borrowers
• National Student Loan Data System - cumulative loan history of all your Federal loans
• Interactive Budget and Loan Repayment Calculator - calculate your estimated loan payment(s) and learn about Direct Loan repayment plan options
• Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation for Teachers
• Federal Direct/FFEL Loan Cancellation for Teachers
• IBRinfo - a resource website for new Income Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.
• Federal Direct Loan Consolidation
• Federal Student Aid Ombudsman - a resource to assist in informally resolving disputes and problems with Federal loans.
• Student Loan Borrower Assistance- This is a comprehensive and very useful website that covers almost all the basics regarding past, present or future student loans of all varieties.

Money Management Tools

• Bankrate.com - interest rates and payment calculators
• Annual Credit Report - receive your free annual credit report for the 3 major credit bureaus
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling
• Money Management Presentation - powerpoint presentation from EdFund
• IRS Tax Benefits for Education

Remember to contact all of your individual lenders to communicate address changes and to receive information on your outstanding loans!