A building on the Valpo campus with large windows.

Loans

Valpo participates in federal and private loan programs, as well as offering several endowed loan programs. Loans based on need do not accrue any interest while the student remains in school at least 1/2 time, and all loans have competitive interest rates. Loans are available for both student borrowers and parents of students. NOTE: many options on some of the federal sites require the new FSA ID to log in. The link below will bring you to the FSA ID site. Request FSA ID

Federal Direct Student Loans

Federal Direct PLUS (Parent) Loan

Entrance Counseling

Promissory Note

Private Alternative Loans

Choosing a lender is an important decision. We believe it is in your best interest to carefully evaluate your borrower relationship with a loan lender of your choice. Once chosen, you begin a relationship that will be a part of your life for many years to come.

Listed below are tools which will provide you access to multiple lenders. The INvestED Marketplace and FASTChoice will allow you to compare lenders and rates for possible alternative loans. As a borrower you have the option to select any lender. If you have any questions regarding the process please contact the Office of Financial aid.

INvestEd Marketplace,  FASTChoice and Great Lakes are not affiliated with The University in any way and The University does not endorse one lender over another. You may choose any educational loan lender you prefer.

Loan Consolidation and Refinancing

Loan Consolidation

A Consolidation Loan allows you to combine all of your federal student loans into a single loan.  Consolidation loans have a fixed interest rate based on the weighted average of the interest rates of the loans being consolidated.  Consolidation for student loans is only available after the student is no longer enrolled.  Remember that although consolidation can simplify loan repayment it can increase the total cost of repaying your loans.  For more information visit studentaid.gov or call 1-800-557-7392.

Refinancing 101

Refi loans combine all your private student loans and possibly federal student loans into one loan and one payment with an interest rate based on your current situation.  This option may reduce the amount you pay and/or provide a more manageable monthly payment amount.

Please Note: If you combine federal loans with private loans, make sure you clearly understand any impact to losing federal loan repayment benefits.

Important information as you consider refinancing:

  • Identify all your current loans (lender, servicer, type of loan, type of interest rate, borrower benefits, repayment options, etc.)
  • Understand that you may need a cosigner to refinance your loans
  • Refinancing is not always the best solution, so review the possible rates and overall costs to determine if this is the right choice for you.

Listed below is a tool that shows lenders who offer refinancing options.

Other Loan Resources

  • How to Be a Responsible Borrower
    • Provides information regarding planning ahead for future borrowing
  • Studentaid.gov  This is the main site for managing your Federal Direct Loans.
    • Check your account
    • complete entrance counseling and promissory note
    • repayment options
    • loan forgiveness
    • loan cancellation
    • You must have your FSA ID available to access your account.
  • Federal Perkins Loan: The Perkins Loan is no longer available as a loan resource. However, if you have a Perkins Loan,  repayment information can be found here.
  • National Student Loan Data System  The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student aid. (The Department of Education is currently assigning Federal Direct Loans to 11 companies with whom it has loan servicing contracts: Apsire Resources, Inc., ESA EdFinancial. FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA), Granite State – GSMR, Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, MOHELA, Navient (Sallie Mae), Nelnet, OSLA and VSAC Fed Loans.)  NSLDS Student Access provides recipients access to inquire about their Title IV loans and/or Pell grant data.  Use this site to find out who your federal loan servicer is and how to contact them, and to obtain information about your outstanding loan balance and loan status.
  • National Student Loan Clearinghouse
    • Use your VU e-mail log-in information to access your account
    • View the enrollment information VU has provided to the loan clearinghouse.
    • View the student loan deferment notification the clearinghouse has provided to your lenders.
    • View/Print the proof of enrollment or enrollment certificate you may need to provide to your health insurer and other providers of student services or products.
    • View specific information about your student loans using Loan Locator.
  • Budget Calculator – The Budget Calculator determines expenses and income in order to create a budget for college. To review various payments plans and the amount you may pay after college check out Repayment Plans and Calculators.