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Master Promissory Note (MPN)
The Federal Stafford Loan Program uses a Master Promissory Note (Master Note or MPN) for both Direct Loan and Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs. The MPN allows borrowers to sign one multiyear promissory note for their first year and receive loans bases on this promissory note in subsequent years. Direct Loan and FFEL programs have separate but similar MPN's. Most MPN's are signed electronically on a web site, thus eliminating the need to mail paper forms back and forth.
Borrowers will sometimes need to sign an additional MPN if they transfer schools or if they wish to change lenders. Your school will inform you if that's the case.