Applying for Perkins... & Relatives and References Info?

<p>I noticed that the application asks to give the address and phone number of 2 relatives. But none of my relatives live in the U.S. Uh.. what to do? Also, why do they also ask for 2 other references? Or well, relatives in the first place?</p>

<p>As far as I know, you can use friends.</p>

<p>Well, friends can go under the "two other references" section.</p>

<p>Or did you mean the relatives section as well?</p>

<p>I am confused by this question - the Perkins loan is a federal need based loan awarded as part of a financial aid package. You do not apply for it other than completing FAFSA - and I did not think you needed references for it. As far as I know you have to complete the Federal loan counselling and the Promissory note but not an application. Are you sure you are talking about the Perkins?</p>

<p>I'm almost positive that the references and 2 relatives info appear on the Master Promissory Note.</p>

<p>Oh ok - thanks.</p>

<p>I did not think of that as an application as such so was confused and a bit concerned we had missed a step in the process!</p>

<p>Sorry if I was misleading. But yes, I meant the counseling part. Anyway, nobody has yet answered my question.. >_<</p>

<p>Isn't the counseling part different for different schools? If I am remembering correctly, you should contact your school and ask them whether they would accept your relatives who live abroad or whether they would prefer someone else, and in that case, who.</p>

<p>The "references" portion allows your lender to contact them in case you default on your loan. The lender assumes that your "references" would know how to contact you if they (your lender) were to lose track of you.</p>