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This is a silly question, but when we take out a Stafford Loan and have to fill out the Master Promissory Note, they ask for two references.

I know that they don't ask the references to pay on your behalf should you default (and that the references will only be contacted should the lender needs to find you), but are the references contacted at all when the MPN is submitted?

Curious about this as well.

Also, the form says "the first reference should be a parent or legal guardian." Is this really the case even if you're, say, 30?

The references are called only if you default on the loan and cannot be located/are ignoring the servicer. That's why they are asking for parents regardless of age - they're interested in references who will always know your contact information.