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Loans

About federal loans

Federal loan options

Federal direct subsidized/unsubsidized Stafford loans:

  • Subsidized Stafford Loans are need-based and do not accrue interest during the studentā€™s time in school. Only available to undergraduates.
  • Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are non-need-based and do accrue interest during the studentā€™s time in school. Available to undergraduates and graduate/professional students.

Federal Nursing Loans

Federal Nursing Loans are for students demonstrating significant financial need. These do not accrue interest during the studentā€™s time in school.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Federal Direct PLUS loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduates, and/or graduate students. These do accrue interest during the studentā€™s time in school.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Details

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Details

Federal student loans are available to students who are:

  • US citizens or permanent residents
  • Matriculated
  • Enrolled at least half time (six credit hours per term) in a degree-seeking program

In order to receive federal loans for a course or courses, the course(s) must:

  • Be part of a matriculated degree-seeking program
  • Not be audited courses

Interest rates for 2024-2025 federal loans

Loan type Borrower type Fixed interest rate
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Undergraduate students 6.533%
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Graduate/professional students 8.083%
Federal Nursing Loan Undergraduate students 5.00%
Federal Direct PLUS Loan Parents of dependent undergraduates and
graduate/professional students
9.083%

Yearly federal loan borrowing limits

Year in school (earned undergraduate credits) Dependent undergraduate students Independent undergraduate students Graduate students
First year
(0ā€“23 earned credits)
$5,500 (No more thanĀ $3,500 subsidized) $9,500Ā (No more thanĀ $3,500 subsidized) N/A
Second yearĀ 
(24ā€“55Ā earned credits)
$6,500Ā (No more thanĀ $4,500 subsidized) $10,500Ā (No more thanĀ $4,500 subsidized) N/A
Third yearĀ 
(56ā€“87Ā earned credits)
$7,500Ā (No more thanĀ $5,500 subsidized) $12,500Ā (No more thanĀ $5,500 subsidized) $20,500Ģż³Ü²Ō²õ³Ü²ś²õ¾±»å¾±³ś±š»å
Fourth yearĀ 
(88ā€“128 earned credits)
$7,500Ā (No more thanĀ $5,500 subsidized) $12,500Ā (No more thanĀ $5,500 subsidized) N/A
Fifth yearĀ 
(129+ earned credits)
$7,500Ā (No more thanĀ $5,500 subsidized) $12,500Ā (No more thanĀ $5,500 subsidized) N/A

Aggregate or ā€œlifetimeā€ limits

Dependent undergraduate students Independent undergraduate students Graduate students
$31,000Ā (No more than $23,000 subsidized) $57,500Ā (No more thanĀ $23,000 subsidized) $138,500Ā (No more thanĀ $65,000 subsidized; includes undergraduateĀ loans)

Reducing or canceling loans

You can write a request to your financial aid counselor by email, fax, or postal mail. Requests must come directly from the student; parent requests will not be honored. You can subsequently request to restore such loans if need be, again with a written request, and you must do so before the end of the academic year or term in which you are enrolled.

Federal loan requirements

Accepting federal loans

You must complete the requirements listed below to formally accept any federal loan you may have been offered and to allow the loan to disburse to your student billing account with the University. You only need to complete these requirements once during your time at ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é, and you will need your personal FSA ID. We encourage you to save all your information electronically for your records.

  1. Log in to your FAOnline account and click the ā€˜Required Documentsā€™ screen.
  2. Any outstanding documents will be listed as ‘Not Received’.
  3. Keep in mind that you may need to complete requirements for several different loan types. For example, an undergraduate student may have qualified for a federal direct loan and a federal Nursing loan. That student would need to complete a master promissory note and entrance counseling for each loan.
  4. Parents can determine if they are missing any paperwork associated with the federal Parent PLUS loan by having their student check or by contacting the Financial Aid Office directly.
  5. Sign your Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN). Learn more below.
  6. Complete loan entrance counseling. Learn more below.

Get handy instructions for loan requirements:

Direct Loans

Grad PLUS Loans

Parent PLUS Loans

Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN)

All first-time borrowers of a federal direct loan at the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é must signĀ an eMPN. Signing theĀ eMPN is a ten-step process and will require at least 30 minutes.

We will receive an electronic notice that the eMPN has been signed and is valid. At that time, your Federal Direct Loan will be scheduled for disbursement.

Please note: It is a federal violation to complete forms or requirements for a loan of which you are not the primary borrower.

Federal Direct Loan entrance counseling

In addition to the eMPN, all first-time borrowers at the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é must complete loan entrance counseling. This session will take about 25 to 30 minutes. We will receive an electronic notice that the entrance counseling has been completed and is valid within two business days of you completing the requirement online.

During the entrance counseling session, you will learn:

  • Your rights and responsibilities as a borrower
  • Information on interest rates, expenses, repayment plans, and other important details about borrowing
  • Whom to contact with questions

You may attempt to pass the quiz three times. If you do not pass on your third attempt, you must contact your financial aid counselorĀ to set up an in-person session.

Please note: It is a federal violation to complete forms or requirements for a loan of which you are not the primary borrower.

Federal Direct Loan exit counseling

All students who have borrowed through the Federal Direct Student Loan program while at the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é and are no longer enrolled must complete a loan exit counseling session with the federal government. You must completeĀ exit counseling if you graduated, withdrew from the University, became inactive, or fell below half-time status. This session will take aboutĀ 30 minutes.

In the exit counseling session, you will learn:

  • Your rights and responsibilities for repayment
  • Your repayment options
  • How to defer your loans while in graduate school
  • Who your loan servicer is and how to contact them

Our office will receive an electronic notice that the exit counseling has been completed and is valid within two business days of you completing the requirement online.

Please note: It is a federal violation to complete forms or requirements for a loan of which you are not the primary borrower.

Federal Nursing Loan Borrowers – additional details

The ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é has successfully completed the transfer of your student loan account from ACS to Heartland ECSI, a leading provider of student loan servicing and higher education services. You can create your EasyPath profile today to take advantage of convenient features such as account management, online payments, electronic statements, payment history, and online document access.

Create your profile in 3 easy steps!

Step 1: Go to .

Step 2: Register by creating a profile.

Step 3: Connect your account using your Heartland Key. Please note: the Heartland Key is provided to you by Heartland ECSI. Until you have that Key, you will be unable to create your account.

Donā€™t forget to download the EasyPath mobile app by visiting the iPhone App Store or Android Marketplace.

Heartland ECSI Contact information

Payment Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 718, Wexford, PA 15090

Paperwork Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1278, Wexford, PA 15090

Customer Service:
Live Chat: heartland.ecsi.net. Phone Support: 1.888.549.3274

Our office will receive an electronic notice that the exit counseling has been completed and is valid within two business days of you completing the requirement online.

Please note: It is a federal violation to complete forms or requirements for a loan of which you are not the primary borrower.

University loans

University loan borrowers

The ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é has successfully completed the transfer of your student loan account from ACS to Heartland ECSI, a leading provider of student loan servicing and higher education services. You can create your EasyPath profile today to take advantage of convenient features such as account management, online payments, electronic statements, payment history, and online document access.

Create your profile in 3 easy steps!

Step 1: Go to .
Step 2: Register by creating a profile.
Step 3: Connect your account using your Heartland Key*.

*Please note: the Heartland Key is provided to you by Heartland ECSI. Until you have that Key, you will be unable to create your account.

Donā€™t forget to download the EasyPath mobile app by visiting the iPhone App Store or Android Marketplace.

University Loans include the following funds:

  • University Broxholm Memorial Loan
  • University Loeser Loan
  • University McGuire Loan
  • University Oā€™Connor Loan
  • University Tiernan Loan

To determine if youā€™ve been awarded a University loan, log in to your FAOnline account and click the ā€˜Your Awardsā€™ screen. Not all students qualify for this loan program.

University loan requirements

You must complete the requirements listed below to allow your University loans to disburse onto your student account. You only need to complete these requirements once during your time at ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é.

Please note: You cannot sign your eMPN or complete the entrance counseling until you receive an email notification from our servicer, Heartland ECSI, informing you of the web link to use in order to create your profile and providing you with a Heartland Key.

Please note: It is a federal violation to complete forms or requirements for a loan of which you are not the primary borrower.

Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN)

All first-time borrowers of a University loan at the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é must sign an eMPN. We will receive an electronic notice that the eMPN has been signed and is valid within two business days of you completing the requirement online.

University loan entrance counseling

All first-time borrowers at the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é must complete loan entrance counseling before loan proceeds can be credited to their student accounts. This session will take about 25 to 30 minutes.

In the entrance counseling session, you will learn:

  • Your rights and responsibilities as a borrower
  • Information on repayment, interest rates, and other important details about borrowing
  • Whom to contact with questions

After you complete the entrance counseling, our office will receive an electronic notice that the counseling has been completed and is valid within two business days of you completing the requirement online.

University loan exit counseling

All students who have borrowed a University loan and are no longer enrolled must complete a loan exit counseling session. You must complete exit counseling if you graduated, withdrew from the University, became inactive, or fell below half-time status. This session will take about 30 minutes.

In the exit counseling session, you will learn:

  • Your repayment terms and conditions
  • How to defer your loans
  • Who your loan servicer is and how to contact them

Our office will receive an electronic notice that the exit counseling has been completed and is valid within two business days of you completing the requirement online through your Heartland ECSI account.

Heartland ECSI contact information

Payment Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 718, Wexford, PA 15090

Paperwork Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1278, Wexford, PA 15090

Customer Service:
Live Chat: heartland.ecsi.net Phone Support: 1 (888) 549.3274

Alternative loans

Alternative loans are non-federal educational loans offered by banks and other lending institutions.Ā  Alternative loans are typically not subsidized, meaning interest will accrue while the borrower/student is enrolled.Ā  Interest rates and fees are generally higher than federal loans, and will be based on the borrower’s credit score.Ā  Credit-worthy co-signers may be required, depending on the borrower’s credit standing.Ā  Alternative loans are intended to supplement, not replace, federal loan eligibility.Ā  ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é encourages all borrowers to consider federal loan options first, before considering alternative loan options.Ā  Alternative loan applications must be submitted directly through the lender, not through the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é.

Alternative loan resources

The ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é is not able to recommend or endorse any particular alternative loan option. Alternative loan terms offered, including interest rates, fees, repayment terms, and other variables, will be based on the borrower’s application and credit score. Therefore, the University cannot provide you with information about comparative pricing of private loans nor about the likelihood of your being approved with or without a cosigner.

To assist students in researching alternative loan options, the University works with ElmSelect to feature a variety of alternative loans from whom ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é students have borrowed in recent years. Students are not required to pursue a lender featured on ElmSelect, and will not be penalized or disadvantaged if they choose to borrow from another lender.

Please see below for a brief list of the options featured on ElmSelect, and visit to learn additional details and compare various options.

Historical Lender List
Loan type Fixed interest rate
Advantage Education Loans
Ascent Funding
Citizens Bank
College Ave
Earnest
LendKey
Nelnet Bank
PNC Bank
Prodigy Finance
Sallie Mae
SoFi
Student Choice

Alternative educational loans:

  • Require credit approval
  • Must be accounted for in the studentā€™s financial aid package, even if the funding is sent directly to the student and does not require the schoolā€™s certification before it is approved
  • Have variable interest rates that have no caps (interest rates are based on the LIBOR rate or PRIME rate)
  • May have additional fees of up to 9.5 percent of the requested loan amount
  • Cannot have a maximum loan amount that exceeds the cost of attendance minus the financial aid already awarded by the University
  • Usually have the student as the primary borrower of the loan; a few lenders will allow other family members to borrow on behalf of the student
  • Usually allow students to defer payments on the loan while they are in school at least half time (six credit hours)
  • Usually allow students to capitalize the interest accrued on the loan once they graduate or leave school
  • Usually allow a six-month grace period before students begin repaying

Things to consider before you apply:

If you choose to pursue an alternative loan, you should contact your financial aid counselor to explore your options first. If you are confident that you want to borrow an alternative loan, be sure to compare the costs associated with various loans before completing an application. Interest rates, fees, repayment periods, borrower benefits, customer service, and other features can vary significantly between loans.

While many educational loans are available with no fees and interest rates less than 10 percent, other programs exist with fees up to 9.5% and interest rates over 14 percent. These higher rates can result in you paying thousands of dollars in additional costs. Be aware that some loan programs require you to make interest payments while in school. We will not take in-school loan payments into account in our aid package review, and we wonā€™t consider it in appeals. Take the time to compare.

Questions to ask a potential lender

Before completing an application, get the answers to these questions:

  • How much may I borrow?
  • What are the fees associated with the loan?
  • What is the interest rate and how often will it change (e.g., quarterly)?
  • Do I need to be at least 18 years old to receive the loan?
  • Do I need a co-signer? Can my co-signer be released from the loan after I enter repayment?
  • Can I receive a lower interest rate when I apply with a co-signer?
  • Can I defer payments while in school?
  • What are the terms of repayment?
  • Are there any penalties for paying the loan off early?

Additional borrowing options

Budget well

We encourage all students and parents to borrow as little as possible. In the event that the student and/or parents wish to seek financing beyond the studentā€™s financial aid package, we recommend that the family consider paying for remaining expenses through student work, current income, and/or assets, before pursuing additional loans. Limiting the amount of additional borrowing will help reduce the total cost of the education.

Visit our financial literacy page for more information on budgeting well and other ways to save money as a ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é student.

State educational loans

Some states offer educational loans to their residents, including for residents attending college/university outside of that state. States that offer educational loans to their residents include Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont.

Loan repayment

Federal loan repayment plans

Itā€™s important to find the right repayment plan for you in order to manage your money and make timely payments on your student loans after graduation. The government offers a variety of repayment plans to cater to different individualsā€™ needs. The federal loan repayment plans are listed below:

  • Standard Repayment Plan
  • Graduated Repayment Plan
  • Extended Repayment Plan
  • Income Based Repayment Plan (IBR)
  • Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan
  • Income-Contingent Repayment Plan
  • Income-Sensitive Repayment Plan

Federal Nursing Loan repayment

  • Repayment of a Federal Nursing Loan begins when the nine-month grace period ends.
  • At the time a borrower drops below half-time enrollment or leaves the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é, the student must complete an online exit interview.
  • During the interview, pertinent information and a repayment schedule are provided to the borrower.
  • The repayment period may not exceed ten years.
  • If you are currently in repayment, your payment will be due the 10th of every month.
  • To learn more about due dates as well as how to read the billing statement, visit Heartland ECSIā€™s website.
  • If you are currently enrolled in school, are in your grace period, or are in deferment/forbearance, no payment is due at this time.
  • You will begin to receive billing statements prior to your first payment due date.

Loan Repayment Resources and Calculators

There are a variety of resources available to help monitor your loan balance and plan your loan repayments both before and after you graduate. A few of these resources are listed below:

University loan repayment

There are a variety of resources available to help plan your loan repayments both before and after you graduate. A few of these resources are listed below:

  • Repayment of a University Loan begins when the six-month grace period ends
  • At the time a borrower drops below half-time enrollment or leaves the ĀŅĀ×Ēæ¼é, the student must complete an online exit interview
  • During the interview, pertinent information and a repayment schedule are provided to the borrower
  • The repayment period may not exceed five years
  • If you are currently in repayment, your payment will be due the 10th of every month
  • To learn more about due dates as well as how to read the billing statement, visit Heartland ECSIā€™s website
  • If you are currently enrolled in school, are in your grace period, or are in deferment/forbearance, no payment is due at this time
  • You will begin to receive billing statements prior to your first payment due date