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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do these loans work?
A: Tuition Loans: If approved, you will be enrolled in STEPP (Student Tuition Easy Payment Plan). The Resource
Center will submit payment on your behalf for the amount of the first STEPP. You will be responsible for paying
the second and third STEPP on time, in addition to repaying our loan by the due date stated in the Promissory
Note, which is typically the end of the quarter. A block will be placed on your account until the loan has been
repaid. This block prevents adding/dropping classes and ordering transcripts.
Book Loans: If approved, the Resource Center will give you a voucher to purchase your textbooks from the
Columbia Basin College Bookstore. You will be responsible for repaying our loan by the due date stated in the
Promissory Note, which is typically the end of the quarter. A block will be placed on your account until the loan
has been repaid. This block prevents adding/dropping classes and ordering transcripts.
Student Housing Loans: If approved, the Resource Center will submit payment on your behalf for the student
housing deposit and/or month’s student housing payment. You will be responsible for repaying our loan by the
due date stated in the Promissory Note, which is typically the end of the quarter. A block will be placed on your
account until the loan has been repaid. This block prevents adding/dropping classes and ordering transcripts.
Q: How much is the interest for this loan? Will this affect my credit score?
A: This short-term loan is interest-free. Your credit score is not a factor in determining eligibility for this loan.
Q: Will you reimburse me for my books if I buy them through Chegg/Amazon/craigslist?
A: Our book loan program does not reimburse students for books that they have already purchased. Eligible
students will receive a voucher to take to the Columbia Basin College bookstore to acquire their textbooks.
Q: My financial aid won’t be processed until I submit my transcripts/academic plan/missing documents. How will
this affect my application?
A: Once you complete your file with the CBC Financial Aid office, it may take several weeks until your file is
processed. We cannot process a loan application for a loan which will be repaid with financial aid funds until we
are able to confirm your financial aid approval status.
Q: Once I turn in my application, how long will it take to process?
A: Applications are reviewed as soon as possible; however, it could take up to one week for processing. If
your application is incomplete, this will delay processing.
Q: How will I be notified once my application has been reviewed, or if more information is needed?
A: We will contact you with the information provided on the application to let you know once a decision has been
reached, or if we have any questions.