Student Loan Exit Counseling

If you borrow loans, either from Penn or from the federal government, you are required to complete an exit counseling session online prior to graduation to advise you of your rights and obligations. The process for completing this requirement is different depending on the type of loans you borrow. Penn emails you directly each year with specific instructions, but you can also review the options below.

Failure to complete exit loan counseling will result in the following:

  • Receipt of diploma(s) will be withheld
  • Ability to view unofficial transcripts in Path@Penn will be prevented
  • Ability to order official transcripts will be prevented
  • Ability to view grades on Path@Penn will be prevented

Please note: Earned degrees and grades are awarded and placed on student records while a student has a Student Loan Exit Counseling hold; it is the release of official documents verifying such information that is withheld.

It is very important to maintain a good student loan repayment history. If you experience any difficulty in repaying your student loan, contact your loan servicer immediately.

Please submit any questions concerning the posting of your counseling completion results to stuloans@pobox.upenn.edu . 

Federal Direct Loans only

You will complete your exit counseling session at www.studentaid.gov. Please allow 20-30 minutes to complete your session and have available the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of references. You can log in using your verified FSA ID (which you created for FAFSA filing). Penn will be notified once you complete your counseling session. You should also print and save proof of your counseling completion.

Penn Loans only (Federal Perkins, Student Aid Loan, McKean Loan, etc.)

You will complete your exit counseling session with Penn’s loan servicer, Heartland ECSI. Sign into your Heartland account or register a new account, then select the Documents tab and follow the exit interview instructions. You should print a copy of the exit counseling information for your records.

Both Federal Direct Loans and Penn Loans

You are required to complete both of the exit counseling sessions described above.