The U.S. government has designated the Department of Education as the source of funds for direct student loans.
That Department lends the money that is awarded to recipients of the Stafford and Perkins Loans.
A student who is awarded one of the direct student loans needs to be attending a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program. That student must first complete a FAFSA, and then he or she must sign a master promissory note (MPN).
If the loan recipient then needs to talk with a counselor about the loan, those services can be obtained at the Direct Loan Servicing Site.
At the Direct Servicing site, the holder of a direct loan can set-up an account. Using that account the holder of a direct student loan can view the record of his or her payments.
That site also contains records on the balance owing for each of the many direct student loans.
Anyone who has been awarded one of the direct student loans can use the Service Center to request use of electronic correspondence for the sending of bills and other information. Loan payments can be made free of charge from the Service Site.
Payments for any of the direct student loans can be scheduled as much as 6 months ahead of time.
