Loans are a crucial part of many students' financial assistance packages. To find out more about what type of loans may best suit you and your family's needs, please click on one of the gateways below.

Information for Future and current students:

• Stafford Loan Information and Completion Instructions
• Parent Loan Information
• Alternative Loan Information

Information for students who have graduated:

• Federal Consolidation Loan Information
• Teacher Loan Forgiveness Programs

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Student Loans
The primary loans available directly to students are Federal Stafford Loans and alternative student loans. To find out more about these types of loans, please read the descriptions below.

Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized) – Students who show need for financial assistance are eligible to borrow this loan. Freshmen can borrow up to $3,500; sophomores can borrow up to $4,500; and juniors and seniors can borrow up to $5,500 per year. This loan has a fixed interest rate of 6.8% and has no fees. Repayment begins six months after graduation.

Federal Stafford Loan (unsubsidized) – Students who do not demonstrate need for financial assistance can borrow through this loan program. The annual loan limits and interest rates are the same as the subsidized Federal Stafford Loan (see above). Interest does accrue on the loan while the student is enrolled at Meredith, however repayment is not required while the student is enrolled at least half time.

Steps to Stafford Loan Application:
New borrowers

1. Sign your statement of award when it arrives from the Office of Financial Assistance
2. Select a lender (see our preferred lender list below) and click "Apply Now" to complete a Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance loan counseling.

Previous Borrowers
Once we receive the signed Statement of Award indicating the acceptance of the loan, we will then certify the loan electronically and no further paperwork will be required. After we certify the appropriate amount, you will receive a Notice of Guarantee from your lender that will indicate your disbursement dates and the amounts to be disbursed.

Preferred Lender List:

Lender Information	Origination Fee	Default Fee	Borrower Benefits	Select
College Foundation, Inc. 1.888.234.6400 Lender Code: 807037	0.00 %	0.00 %	Zero origination and default fees. Immediate 0.25% reduction when you sign up to make monthly payments by automatic draft and select electronic statements.
Sallie Mae 888.272.5543 Lender Code: 802218	1.00 %	1.00 %	Accumulate rewards equal to 4% of your monthly payment into your Upromise account for each of your first 12 on-time payments.* Upromise Loan Link. *Terms and conditions apply: http://www.salliemaeedtrust.com/best_loan/undergrad_loans/stafford_terms.htm
Wachovia 1.800.338.2243 Lender Code: 830005	1.00 %	1.00 %	0.25% rebate at the start of repayment with auto-debit sign up.

*Beyond the recommended lenders listed above, a wide variety of loans and lenders are available. Students and families are welcome to search, compare, and select the lender of their choice. To find out more about our lender selection process, click here.

*Lenders are subject to change their terms and/or rates at any time.  While Meredith College attempts to keep the information represented in these tables as accurate as possible, it is the borrower's responsibility to investigate the current benefits, fees, and terms of each lender prior to applying for a loan.  Meredith College cannot be held responsible for any changes made by a lender that are not reflected in this comparison.

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Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Federal PLUS Loan)

This loan program is available to assist parents in paying any remaining balance due to the College. This loan is not based on need for financial assistance, however parents are subject to a credit analysis in order to qualify for the loan. The Federal PLUS Loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.5% for loans made after July 1, 2006. Repayment starts once loans are disbursed.

Steps to PLUS Loan Application:

1. Review your student's award letter to determine how much you will need to borrow. (The maximum amount you can request is located next to the "PLUS/Alternative Loans" section of the student's statement of award).
2. Choose a lender and select "Apply Now" to begin the PLUS Loan process and complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). (For a list of preferred lenders, click here).

*If your parent is denied the PLUS loan, you may be eligible for an additional interest-bearing Stafford Loan called the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. The amount will vary depending on your classification (FR, SO, JR, SR). Please contact our office after your parent(s) is denied a PLUS loan if you desire an unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

Please Note:
IMPORTANT – Lenders deduct a 3% origination fee, so please factor that amount into your request.

Preferred Lender List:

Lender Information	Origination Fee	Default Fee	Borrower Benefits	Select
College Foundation, Inc. 1.888.234.6400 Lender Code: 807037	3.00 %	0.00 %	Zero default fee and a 3% credit of the amount borrowed following the academic year in which your loan is first disbursed. Immediate interest rate reduction of 0.75% for on-time payment when you start repayment. Immediate 1.25% reduction when you sign up to make monthly payments by automatic draft and select electronic statements.
Sallie Mae 888.272.5543 Lender Code: 802218	3.00 %	1.00 %	0.7% interest rate reduction by choosing to make payments through automatic debit.* Upromise Loan Link. *Terms and conditions apply, visit:  http://www.salliemaeedtrust.com/best_loan/parent_loans/plus_terms.htm
Wachovia 1.800.338.2243 Lender Code: 830005	3.00 %	0.00 %	1% interest rate reduction after 36 scheduled auto-debit payments. Benefit repair: If borrowers miss one of the first 36 payments, they can restore their eligibility for the rate reduction by passing an online financial literacy course.

*Beyond the recommended lenders listed above, a wide variety of loans and lenders are available. Students and families are welcome to search, compare, and select the lender of their choice. To find out more about our lender selection process, click here.

*Lenders are subject to change their terms and/or rates at any time.  While Meredith College attempts to keep the information represented in these tables as accurate as possible, it is the borrower's responsibility to investigate the current benefits, fees, and terms of each lender prior to applying for a loan.  Meredith College cannot be held responsible for any changes made by a lender that are not reflected in this comparison.

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Alternative Loans
A student may apply for an alternative loan from a number of lenders. Payments can typically be deferred until 6 months after graduation (just like the Federal Stafford Loans) and applications are most frequently completed online. If a surety is needed, a screen will pop up and inform you what steps to take next.

Steps to Alternative Loan Application:

1. Review your award letter to determine how much you will need to borrow. (The maximum amount you can request is located next to the "PLUS/Alternative Loans" section of your statement of award).
2. Choose a lender and select "Apply Now" to begin the alternative loan application process and complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). (See the preferred lender list below).

Alternative Loan Lender List:

Lender Information	Benefits	Select
College Foundation, Inc. 1.888.234.6400 Lender Code: 807037	Zero origination fee. Zero default fee. Immediate interest rate reduction of 0.25% when you sign up to make monthly payments by automatic draft. Interest rate reduction of 0.50% if you make 48 consecutive on-time payments during your first 60 months of repayment.
Sallie Mae 888.272.5543 Lender Code: 802218	0.50% rate reduction for auto debit. Cosigner release option available after the first 24 on time payments.  Borrower must pass a credit check at that time. No minimum income requirement. Can be used to pay for past due balances.
Wachovia 1.800.338.2243 Lender Code: 830005	Wachovia has discontinued their alternative student loan program and is no longer accepting new applications.  If you have a current or previous loan with Wachovia, please contact them at the number provided or visit their website here

*Beyond the recommended lenders listed above, a wide variety of loans and lenders are available. Students and families are welcome to search, compare, and select the lender of their choice. To find out more about our lender selection process, click here.

*Lenders are subject to change their terms and/or rates at any time.  While Meredith College attempts to keep the information represented in these tables as accurate as possible, it is the borrower's responsibility to investigate the current benefits, fees, and terms of each lender prior to applying for a loan.  Meredith College cannot be held responsible for any changes made by a lender that are not reflected in this comparison.

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