Accepting your Student Loans

How to apply/accept for your Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans:

1. Go to www.studentaid.gov
2. After logging in with your information (including your FSA Username and Password),
   you will need to complete the Entrance Counseling and the
   Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans.
3. The Federal Direct Student Loan documents are only completed once during your time at St Olaf.
4. Make sure you have indicated your acceptance of this loan through “Financial Aid Online” in the ‘Accept Award’ tab.

How to apply/accept your Student Alternative Loan:

1. St. Olaf College does not suggest nor endorse lenders – students may choose any lender who offers alternative educational loans for students who attend St. Olaf. We offer a student alternative loan lender selection tool, FASTChoice, compiled of lenders that other St. Olaf students have utilized in the past 3-5 years. Again, you are welcome to choose any lender you wish. Here is a more comprehensive list of Student Alternative Loans that may offer additional options. The lender selection tool will provide you with information on each loan product in a way that helps you understand and compare them.
2. Each lender has a different process. You will need to contact your individual lender to know the exact steps for your specific scenario.

How to apply/accept a St. Olaf Institutional Loan:

All students, accepting a College Loan (Estrem, Eiselein, St. Olaf or Thompson), are required to complete a Promissory Note (digitally sign for the loan) once each academic year.  This will be completed online with Heartland/ECSI.

• First Time Borrowers, click here.
  • You will receive an email from ECSI with a PIN number, used to authenticate yourself. This email will come from webmaster@ecsi.net.
  • Visit: https://www.ecsi.net/promF68
  • Log in to ECSI
    • If you do not have a Social Security Number, enter 3 zeros and then your six digit St. Olaf Student ID Number
      • For example, if your Student ID # is 123456, enter 000123456.
    • If you have not received (or can’t find) your PIN number, you will be able to log in with your Zip Code. If you are having issues, please call ECSI at 1-888-549-3274.
  • Book an Appointment with a financial aid counselor. We want to make sure to answer all of your loan questions before you borrow the St. Olaf Loan for the first time and receive these funds.

• Returning Student Borrowers, click here.
  • Sign into your ECSI account with your Social Security Number.
  • You will need the PIN number that was sent out from ECSI (webmaster@ecsi.net).
    • If you cannot locate your PIN number, you should be able to log in with your Zip Code. If you are having issues, please call ECSI at 1-888-549-3274.