Through the PA Forward Student Loan Program, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers private student loan options to enable Pennsylvania students to pursue their higher education dreams and to make managing their loans easier and more convenient.
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
For undergrad, grad, and parent loans, you can even borrow up to 100% of the certified cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, books, etc.).
Eligibility for Undergrad, Grad or Parent Loans
The PA Forward Student Loan Program is designed specifically for students or parents/guardians of students who are enrolled or who plan to be enrolled in a degree, certificate, or diploma granting program. For Parent loans, the student must be enrolled half-time. These loans are meant for:
- PA residents attending an approved school in or out of PA
- Students from an approved state (DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, VA, and WV) attending an approved PA school
- U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens of the U.S.
- Borrowers and/or co-signers who meet the minimum credit requirements
Eligibility for Refinance Loans
The PA Forward Refinance Loan is a loan designed specifically for those who are in repayment and want assistance with managing their student debt. This loan is meant for:
- Any PA resident or resident of an approved state (DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, VA, and WV) who is the borrower for the student loans
- Borrowers who are currently in repayment
- U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens of the U.S.
- Borrowers and/or co-signers who meet the minimum credit requirements
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 your 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.
Loan Types
Currently there are four loan types in the PA Forward Student Loan Program:
Plan Ahead and 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.
Visit EducationPlanner.org
MySmartBorrowing.org
Using this interactive tool you can create up to 4 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.
Visit MySmartBorrowing.org
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.
Visit YouCanDealWithIt.com
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. For specific loan program questions please call 1-844-PAFORWD (1-844-723-6793).