PA Forward Student Loans Student loans with Pennsylvania students in mind.
Do you need help financing education costs?
Through the PA Forward Student Loan Program, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers private loan options to enable PA students attending an approved school in or out of PA and residents of an approved state attending a PA approved school to pursue their higher education dreams.
The PA Forward Student Loan Program has the following benefits:
- No application or origination fees
- Low, fixed interest rates
- Multiple repayment options
- Potential interest rate rewards
- No prepayment penalty
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Loan Eligibility
PA Forward was designed for PA residents attending an approved school in or out of state, and residents of approved states1 attending a PA school regardless of enrollment status, including those enrolled less than half-time.2
All borrowers must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
For parent loans, the dependent undergraduate student must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree, certificate, or diploma-granting program. Parents or guardians must meet the minimum credit qualifications.
To be eligible for a refinance loan, borrowers must currently be in repayment.
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Co-signer
The PA Forward Student Loan Program does not require you to have a co-signer unless you have not met the age of majority based on the law of your state of residence or you do not meet the minimum credit requirements; however, you may benefit from a creditworthy co-signer. Having a co-signer may increase your chances that the loan will be approved and, perhaps, may get you a better interest rate.
Student Loan Types
Undergraduate Loan
A loan designed specifically for students seeking an undergraduate degree, certificate, or diploma.
Graduate Loan
A loan designed specifically for students seeking an advanced degree such as a masters, law, MBA, Ph.D., or others.
Medical Loan
For students seeking a medical, dental, osteopathic, podiatry, or veterinary degree.
Health Professional Loan
For students seeking a doctor of chiropractic, doctor of optometry, nurse practitioner, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, or other graduate health professional degree.
Parent Loan
A loan designed specifically for parents or guardians of dependent undergraduate students.
Refinance Loan
A loan designed specifically for borrowers in repayment to manage their student debt. Get payment estimates too!
Plan Ahead & Be a Smart Borrower
The world of student aid can sometimes be difficult to navigate; however, it doesn't have to be. We have gathered information that will make it easier for you to understand.
EducationPlanner.org
This career and college planning website provides practical and easy-to-understand advice to help prepare students for the important decisions they will face in the future.
MySmartBorrowing.org
Using this interactive tool, you can create up to four different scenarios to see how your career and college choices may affect how much you pay for college and if you are at risk for overborrowing.
YouCanDealWithIt.com
This website provides practical and easy-to-understand advice on how to deal with common financial situations facing today's college students and recent graduates.
NOTE: If you visit one of the above sites, please remember to come back to this site if you decide to apply for a PA Forward Student Loan.
1. PA Forward approved states include DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, VA, and WV.
2. Loans taken for a less than half-time academic period may borrow up to $5,000--this does not apply to the medical or health professional loans.
Additional Student Loan Options
Secured Extra Credit
- Interest rates competitive with Stafford loans.
- Required collateral on this line.
- May require both the student and parents/legal guardians to jointly sign.
Unsecured Extra Credit
- Interest rates competitive with Stafford loans
- No collateral needed
- A processing fee of $125 applies
Keystone Student Loan Program
PHEAA's Keystone Student Loan Program offers private education loan options to students from Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Resources
Calculators
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