请教有关brandeis university的offer中的loan

alicetrista

寄过来offer的financial aid agreement中有一句话需要我同意：if awarded，I understand that I must sign a promissory note to activate the brandeis university loan, and must agree to all rights and responsibilities therein 这句话是什么意思呢，loan到底是什么呢，promissory not又是什么呢。我怕如果以后去了更好的学校，签署这个会不会需要负什么责任？

谢谢回答的同学