Private Educational Loans
CAUTION: Applying for a Private Educational Loan prior to receiving an Official Award Notice could result in the expiration of the credit check process, which is normally only valid for 90 days.
Financial Aid Advising
In order to assist students with borrowing decisions, Student Financial Services has financial aid advising available to discuss loan indebtedness, loan amounts, and loan terms prior to applying for an private educational loan. Contact the Campus Hub if you wish to set up an advising appointment.
About Private Loans
Several private lenders offer educational loan programs. The terms of these loans vary from one lender to another. Some have fees attached to the loans along with interest. Repayment options also vary from one lender to another.
- 2020-2021 Other Loans Options Information Sheet (PDF)
- 2019-2020 Other Loans Options Information Sheet (PDF)
Eligibility
To be eligible for a private educational loan, students must meet the specific requirements of the loan they select. The lender may also require a creditworthy co-signer to determine approval of the loan application. A FAFSA must be on file in order for Student Financial Services to process a private loan application. Students who are prohibited from completing (or choose not to complete) the FAFSA must meet with a financial aid advisor for approval before the private loan application can be processed.
Truth-In-Lending Act (TILA)
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) reauthorized the Higher Education Act (HEA) and amended the Truth-In-Lending Act (TILA). It established new institution based disclosure requirements and Private Education loan disclosures. It requires institutions to inform borrowers of their possible eligibility for Title IV loans and that the terms/conditions of the Title IV loans may be more favorable than Private education loans. This is to ensure an informed student loan borrower, borrower choice of lender, and transparency and high ethical standards in the student lending process.
Choosing a Private Lender
FASTChoice is an online private educational loan comparison tool. It offers an opportunity for students to learn about private educational loans through its beneficial Borrowing Essentials tutorial and side-by-side comparison of selected lenders.
| Access FASTChoice |
The lenders and loan options presented in the list below are the most widely used by Minnesota State University, Mankato students. You may borrow from any lender you choose, including those not included in this list. We encourage you to compare interest rates, fees, and benefits to identify the most competitive options for your financial needs. All of the information provided on this list is reviewed annually. At least two lenders will be presented to you at all times. Application processing will not be delayed unnecessarily if you choose a lender not presented.
- *Credit Unions might have additional requirements such as membership. Please check with particular Credit Union for details
| Student Loans Available if: | |||||
| Lender Information | Minimum Loan Amount | Current Satisfactory Academic Progress Suspension |
Less than half-time enrollment | Needed for past Due Balance | Parent Loans Available |
| Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union (800) 737-5115 |
$1,000 | No | No | No | No |
| Bank of North Dakota (800) 472-2166 ext 5660 |
$500 | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Citizens One (800) 721-3969 |
$1,000 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| College Ave Student Loans (844) 422-7502 |
$1,000 | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Discover Student Loans (800) 788-3368 |
$1,000 | No | No | No | Yes |
| LendKey (888) 549-9050 |
$2,000 | No | No | Yes | No |
| Minnesota Office Of Higher Education(SELF) (800) 657-3866 |
$500 | No | No | No | No |
| Sallie Mae (877) 279-7172 |
$1,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Thrivent Federal Credit Union (866) 540-3191 |
$1,000 | No | No | Yes | No |
| Wells Fargo (800) 378-5526 |
$1,000 | Yes for undergraduate, No for graduate | Yes | Yes | No |
Learn more about Managing Your Student Loans.
