Self Service Instructions

Beginning with the Summer 2009 session, James Madison University will participate exclusively in the Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized student loans), Federal Parent PLUS Direct Loan, and Federal Grad PLUS Direct Loan programs.

As a result of this change, students who had a Stafford Loan in prior years at JMU need to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note in addition to accepting their loan through their ecampus account, but they are not required to complete Entrance Loan Counseling again.

Please visit our website at www.jmu.edu/finaid/directloans.shtml to learn more about this change and the benefits of Direct Loans.

Returning students who wish to accept a Direct Loan and who had a Stafford Loan at JMU in prior years need to complete the following: If one of the following scenarios applies to you, please notify our office by submitting the Financial Aid Loan Change Form found at www.jmu.edu/finaid/forms.shtml
  • Graduating in December of the current award year
  • Need loan for one semester
Freshman and First-time Borrowers: Follow these instructions.
  1. Go to ecampus.jmu.edu
  2. Enter E-ID and Password
  3. Under “Finances,” click “Accept/Decline Financial Aid”
  4. Click “2010”
  5. Click in the “Accept” box for the Direct Loan (the Direct Loan is the only loan that can be accepted in e-campus). If you were offered a Perkins Loan, please click on the words “Perkins Loan” and follow the instructions given.
  6. After clicking “Accept” you may reduce your loan to your desired amount. Please keep in mind that Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans have a net origination fee of 0.5% meaning the actual amount disbursing to your account will be 0.5% less than the amount you accept in e-campus.
  7. Hit the “Submit” button
  8. After you “Submit” your loan acceptance you need to complete:
    1. Direct Loan Master Promissory Note
    2. Entrance Loan Counseling


Federal Direct Loans are long-term loans available to students enrolled for at least a half-time basis in a degree or teacher certificate program. The federal government pays the interest on subsidized loans while the borrower is in school, during the borrower's grace period and during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government does not pay the interest on unsubsidized loans during these periods. You are responsible for paying the interest. If you opt not to pay the interest, then it will be capitalized, or added back into the principal amount of your loan.

Repayment begins six months after you drop below half time enrollment, which is graduation for most students. The basic repayment period for Direct Loans is ten years; however, in some cases you can extend this. You will need to contact your lender or loan servicer to discuss extending a ten year repayment period.

Students will receive notice from the Department of Education when the Direct Loan is approved for disbursement. The University Business Office will notify the student by electronic mail when the loan funds have been credited to the student account each semester. Students have 14 days from the time a Direct Loan has been credited to request it to be cancelled.