Responsible Borrowing

Borrow Smart: Make Informed Student Loan Choices

Responsible borrowing means only taking out the loans you truly need to pay for school. Borrow smart by budgeting carefully, understanding your loan terms, and planning ahead for repayment.

We'll notify you via your Hawkeye email and your Financial Aid Self-Service if you need to complete a Responsible Borrowing Session.

What’s Involved in the Responsible Borrowing Session?

This session includes activities to help you manage your student loan debt, minimize borrowing, and access tools for finding your Loan Servicer information and total loan balance.

To complete your Responsible Borrowing Session:

1. Complete the Borrowing Worksheet:
   • If borrowing for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and/or Summer 2026 complete the 2025–2026 Responsible Borrowing Worksheet [PDF]
2. Explore GradReady.com: Build your financial planning skills—from budgeting to borrowing smarter. You can complete the full program or start with Path 1: Paying for College.
3. Submit Your Completed Worksheet: Return your completed Responsible Borrowing Worksheet to the Financial Aid office.

Additional Resources

In addition to completing your Responsible Borrowing Session, check out these helpful videos:

• Your Guide to Student Repayment Plans: Learn about repayment options, selecting a plan, and the role of loan servicers.
• Responsible Borrowing: Understand responsible borrowing, loan repayment, and how to weigh the costs of college against potential income after graduation.