​Exit Loan Counseling

What is exit counseling?

Federal regulations require all federal student loan borrowers to complete exit loan counseling each time they drop below half-time enrollment, graduate, or leave school. It is an online task through studentaid.gov. The entire counseling process must be completed in a single session. Most students complete counseling in 20-30 minutes. Because this information is so important, students should not rush through the counseling process.

There are 5 sections within Federal Student Aid Exit Counseling:
  • Understand Your Loans- review loan balances and basics
  • Plan to Repay- repayment tools and incentives
  • Avoid Default- avoiding delinquency/default; loan forgiveness
  • Finances: A Priority- planning for your future, taxes, and credit information
  • Repayment Information- borrower information, references, and repayment plans
View our Exit Counseling presentation for more detailed information.

Who must complete exit counseling?
If you have received a subsidized, unsubsidized or PLUS loan(s) under the Direct Loan Program, you must complete exit counseling each time you:
  • Drop below half-time enrollment
  • Graduate
  • Leave School

How do I complete exit counseling?
To complete exit counseling for subsidized/unsubsidized loans and PLUS Loans under the Direct Loan Program:
  • Log in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID.
  • Use of another person's FSA ID constitutes fraud. Use only your own FSA ID.
  • Navigate to the Manage Loans tab and select "Complete Exit Counseling."
  • Select the school(s) you want to notify of counseling completion.
Additionally, we created an optional Canvas course for UWSP students and staff! To self-enroll, go to https://uwstp.instructure.com/enroll/WXYG8K. Exit counseling through studentaid.gov is mandatory where as this Canvas course is optional.

How do I access exit counseling?
Navigate to studentaid.gov. Under the Manage Loans tab, select Complete Exit Counseling. Log in using your FSA ID to start and complete the required counseling.

To view the counseling before completing, you may use the demo link to view the content.

Will I be able to save my exit counseling session and return at a later time to complete it?
No, your progress will not be saved if you navigate away from your exit counseling session or logout of the website.
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