Loans
Student loans can be part of a smart financial plan. Understand your borrowing options, responsibilities and repayment details to make informed choices.
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Have financial aid questions? Text a Financial Aid Expert at 307-268-2996.
If you think you may need additional funds to cover the full cost of your education, consider applying for a federal or private loan.
Loans are sums of money borrowed from federal or private lenders to help finance a student’s costs to attend college. To maintain loan eligibility, students must show satisfactory academic progress (minimum credit-hour enrollment and grade point average). Loans must be repaid once the student graduates or does not meet the minimum credit enrollment per semester.Before you choose which loan is best for you, investigate your options and make the best, most responsible choice for you.
Beginning July 1, 2026, Federal Direct Loans will be reduced based on the number of credits in which a student is enrolled/academically engaged. This process is called the Schedule of Reductions (SOR).
Similar to the Pell grant, students will now be offered the maximum amount of Federal Direct Loan funding per year based on full-time enrollment. See below for an enrollment guide detailing the number of credits in which a student must be enrolled/academically engaged to be considered full-time for financial aid purposes
With the new Federal Direct Loan SOR requirement, full-time students will receive the full amount of their annual loan offer. If a student is enrolled less than full-time, they will not be eligible to receive the full-time amount of loans offered to them. Instead, the university will calculate the amount of loan funding the student is eligible to receive based on the number of credits in which they are enrolled.
Federal Direct PLUS loans are credit-based, fixed interest option for parents of dependent undergraduate students.
The Wyoming Investment in Nursing program provides funds for students who are accepted into graduate nursing programs at a university or an undergraduate program at the University of Wyoming or one of the Wyoming community colleges. The funds assist with educational expenses as determined by the financial aid office at each institution. Students must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for the WyIN program. The loans are repaid by working as a nurse or nurse educator in Wyoming for a length of time. Wyoming Statute 21-18-202
Private loans are typically only used when federal student or parent loans, grants and scholarships will not cover the total cost of your education.
Before you drop a class, or if you receive a failing grade, make sure you aren’t at risk of losing your loan due to unsatisfactory academic progress.
Remember, federal aid will only cover courses that count toward your degree.
Unlike grants, which are awarded automatically through your FAFSA, you must complete additional steps for loans.
Casper College is committed to keeping you updated with changes to the student loan program.
Courts have issued orders blocking the Department of Education (ED) from accepting and processing applications for the one-time federal student loan debt relief program. ED has appealed the rulings seeking to overturn the orders.
Here’s what you need to know:
Misinformation spreads rapidly on the subject of student loan debt relief and the payment pause. Make sure you have accurate and up to date information by subscribing to alerts from ED and FSA.
ED continues to warn borrowers about scam attempts to take advantage of them. Beware of any source that is not directing you to FSA or your loan servicer.
If you haven’t already, you should register for an online account with your loan servicer and confirm they have your current contact information. Your loan servicer will notify you if the debt relief is processed and when your monthly payments will start.
With 42 million borrowers wanting to know if and when debt relief may be possible, it may be difficult to reach someone to get answers. That’s where Student Connections can help!
Casper College has partnered with Student Connections to make sure every borrower who is eligible for loan forgiveness receives it, and help any borrower with a remaining balance to navigate and prepare for payments to resume in 2023. This service is completely free to you.
Student Connections Borrower Advocates can help answer any questions you have and determine what steps you need to take.
While you are in student loan repayment, Student Connections may contact you through emails, text messages and phone calls to:
These advocates are available to answer questions about your outstanding loans and, when appropriate, work with you and your loan servicer. Talk to a borrower advocate for free at (866) 311-9450.