Loans and Lenders for First-Time Borrowers
On this page, you will find everything you need to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Parent PLUS, or private alternative student loans. As many families are new to student loans, we have provided some lenders as a starting point in this process to assist you with the selection process (more on selecting a lender here). Please note that you are not required to use a recommended lender and you will not be penalized if you choose a lender that is not included on our list. Should you choose a lender not listed below, we will assist you in the loan process with your chosen lender. However, as you are establishing a long term relationship with a lender, we encourage you to research several lenders and choose one that best suits your needs.
We selected the listed lenders for the three loan programs after a thorough and formal review through a Request for Information (RFI) process that asked lenders to provide information regarding, for example, customer service, ease of application process, front-end borrower benefits, repayment terms, and lender stability in the marketplace. The University of Chicago receives no financial incentive or other benefit for recommending lenders.
The Federal Stafford Loan
Step 1.Print and complete the Federal Stafford Loan Instruction and Amount Request Form.
Once completed, please mail or fax this application to our office.
Office of College Aid
1101 East 58th St
Chicago, IL 60637
773-834-4300 fax
Step 2. If you choose to use one of the below lenders, complete the Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) by clicking on your chosen lender’s link.
Step 3. Complete the online entrance interview here: www.mapping-your-future.org
The Federal Parent PLUS**
If you find that you need additional loan funding, either because you are not participating in the Federal Stafford Loan program or the Stafford does not fulfill your needs, we suggest that your parents apply for a Federal PLUS.
Step 1. If you choose to use one of the below lenders, complete the Federal PLUS Master Promissory Note (PMPN) by clicking on your chosen lender’s link.
If you have chosen another lender, please go to that lender’s website to complete the PMPN.
Step 2. If the PLUS lender you have chosen does not have a field to indicate the amount that you wish to borrow for the first year, please print and complete the Federal PLUS Loan Information and Amount Request form.
Once completed, please mail or fax this application to our office.
Office of College Aid
1101 East 58th St
Chicago, IL 60637
773-834-4300 fax
**Important PLUS Loan Information**
If a parent applies for and is denied the option of borrowing a federal Parent Loan PLUS, the student is then eligible to borrow an additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan. A first or second year student may borrow up to $4000 and third and fourth year students may borrow up to $5,000 through the unsubsidized Stafford loan program.
In order for the Office of College Aid to process an unsubsidized loan on your behalf, we will require a copy of your parent’s denial letter from the PLUS lender. You will also need to complete another Stafford Loan Confirmation Request Form where you will indicate the amount of the additional unsubsidized Stafford loan that you would like to borrow.
Alternative Loans for Students
If your parent is not willing or able to borrow the Federal PLUS or if the Federal Stafford and PLUS do not meet your borrowing needs, you may be interested in an alternative student loan. As with the Federal Stafford and Federal PLUS, you are beginning a long term relationship with a lender. Researching different lenders and their benefits as well as exploring other means of financial aid before applying for an alternative loan is to the advantage of the student. We recommend that you use alternative student loans conservatively as the interest rate will be variable or floating and will not be capped. Depending on the lender that you choose, the interest rate will change every month or every quarter. Each lender uses its own pricing model (1) based on either the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or the prime rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal) and (2) typically based on the strength of the credit score and history of the student and/or the cosigner. Interest accrues from the date of disbursement. Interest can be paid while the student is enrolled, or interest can be deferred and capitalized at the time of repayment.
If you choose one of the lenders listed below, complete the application by clicking on the link. This is a student loan and will require a co-signer. You may contact the lender if you have any questions about these alternative loan programs, including but not limited to interest rates, deferments, fees, and repayments terms.
*** Important Update ***
Effective April 19, 2008 Bank of America will no longer participate in the alternative private loan program.
Effective July 2, 2008 IDAPP will no longer participate in the alternative private loan program.
We regret any inconvenience caused by these unforeseen changes. Contact the Office of College Aid with any questions.
There are many other lenders who offer an alternative loan program not listed here. Students may borrow from the lender of their choice and we do not require you to borrow from our recommended lenders. They are presented merely as a "starting point" for your research and have been chosen after a thorough and formal review through a Request for Information (RFI) process that asked lenders to provide information regarding, for example, customer service, ease of application process, front-end borrower benefits, repayment terms, and lender stability in the marketplace. The University of Chicago receives no financial incentive or other benefit for recommending lenders.
As with any loan, we urge families to research and compare the terms and benefits of several lenders before making your selection. Should you choose a lender not listed above, The Office of College Aid will assist you in obtaining a loan with your chosen lender.
