Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You'll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. This is an important step to understanding the DEBT you are taking on and that it MUST be repaid.

Before you begin

Entrance Counseling takes about 30 minutes to complete, and it must be completed in a SINGLE SESSION. There are 6 modules to review and 3 quizzes to complete

If you have not yet created your FSA ID, you can CREATE (an) ACCOUNT in this location FSA ID


When to Complete or Renew your EC

  • If you have not had a prior Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)
  • If you have paid off all of your previous Federal student loans
  • If you want a refresher about how Federal Stafford loans work, repayment options, and how borrowing may impact you in the future


  1. Go to the Federal Student Aid website
  2. Click Log in to your account
  3. Enter your FSA ID and Password
  4. Click the Log In button
  5. Read the Disclaimer
  6. Click the Accept button
  7. Click on the dropdown “I’m Preparing For School
  8. Click on the link Complete Entrance Counseling
  9. Click the Start button next to “I am an Undergraduate Student”

    Warning

    Entrance Counseling takes about 30 minutes to complete, and it must be completed in a SINGLE SESSION

  10. Click the Continue button
  11. Type Pennsylvania in the “Choose a State” box
  12. Type Community College of Allegheny County in the “Search School by Name” box
  13. Click the Continue button
  14. Begin completing Entrance Counseling Modules

    Estimating the Cost of Your Education

    Click the Start button

    1. Read "What is the Total Cost of Your School Program" and click Continue
    2. Enter School Name
    3. Select Type of Tuition using the drop-down box
    4. Select Living Arrangement using the drop-down box
    5. Select Expected Years to Complete Program using the drop-down box
    6. Click the View Data button
    7. Click the Continue button
    8. Congratulations!  You will move to the next module by clicking Continue

    Paying for your Education 

    1. Read the Information provided under the Sources of Aid You Don’t Have to Repay section.

    2. Click the Continue button.

    1. Read the information provided under the Loan Basics section.

    2. Click Continue button.

    1. Read the information provided under the Learn the Types of Student Loans section.

    1. Click the Continue button.

    2. Congratulations! You have completed Paying for you Education module.

    3. Click the Continue button.












    Federal Student Loans

    1. Read the Information provided under How Student Loans Works section
    2. Click the Continue button
    3. Read the Information provided under Federal Student Loan Types section
    4. Click the Continue button
    5. Read the Information provided under the What are the Max Loan Amounts I Can Borrow section
    6. Click the Continue button
    7. Read the Information provided under the Parent Plus Loans Could Help You Close the Gap section
    8. Click the Continue button
    9. Read the Information provided under The Federal Student Loan Process section
    10. Click the Continue button
    11. Read the Information provided under the Roles and Responsibilities In your Student Loan Journey section
    12. Click the Continue button
    13. Click the Continue button to move on to the Quiz

    How much you can expect to borrow 

    1. Read the Information provided under Estimate Your Annual and Total Student Loan Debt
    2. Select the Type of Degree you are seeking – Associates or Certificate
    3. Enter your Field of Study (optional)
    4. Click on the View Data button to based on Average Debt After Graduation
    5. Use the calculator provided to help you with expected future debt
    6. Click the Continue button
    7. Read the Information provided under The Difference in What You’re Offered and What You Need section
    8. Click the Continue button
    9. Read the Information in The Impact of Interest section
    10. Click the Continue button
    11. Read the information in the Making Payments While In School section
    12. Click the Continue button
    13. Congratulations! You can move on to the Quiz
    14. Click on the Continue button

    Prepare for Repayment After School

    1. Read the Information provided under Why Do You Pay section.

    2. Click the Continue button.

    1. Read the Information provided under the Know your Repayment Burden and Responsibilities section.

    2. Click the Continue button.

    1. Read the Information provided under When Does Loan Repayment Begin section.

    2. Click the Continue button.

    1. Read the Information provided under Choose the Right Repayment Plan for You section.

    2. Click the Continue button.


    1. Read the Information provided under the You Must Repay Your Loans No Matter What section.

    2. Click the Continue button.

    1. Congratulations! 

    2. Click the Continue button to complete the quiz.












    Consequences for Not Repaying Student Loans

    1. Read the information under the What Happens if You Miss Payments section
    2. Click the Continue button
    3. Read the information under the What Happens if You Default section
    4. Click the Continue button
    5. Read the information under the How to Prevent and Avoid Delinquency and Default section
    6. Click the Continue button
    7. Read the information under the Learn About Loan Forgiveness, Cancellation, and Discharge section
    8. Click the Continue button
    9. Congratulations!! you have completed Consequences of Not Repaying Your Federal Student Loans
    10. Click the Continue button to start the next module
  15. Read the Summary of information provided
  16. Click the Submit button
  17. Congratulations you have completed the Entrance Counseling!