Student Loans
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.
- No application or origination fees
- Low, fixed interest rates
- Multiple repayment options
- Potential interest rate rewards
- No prepayment penalty
PA Forward was designed for PA residents attending an approved school in or out of state, and residents of approved states (which include DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, VA and WV) attending a PA school regardless of enrollment status, including those enrolled less than half-time. Loans taken for a less than half-time academic period may borrow up to $5,000 – This does not apply to the medical or health professional loans.
All borrowers must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
For parent loans, the dependent undergraduate student must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree, certificate, or diploma-granting program. Parents or guardians must meet the minimum credit qualifications. To be eligible for a refinance loan, borrowers must currently be in repayment.
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 the 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.
Currently there are six loan types in the PA Forward Student Loan Program.
- Undergraduate Loan: For students in a degree, certificate, or diploma-granting program. Learn more and apply here.
- Graduate Loan: For students seeking an advanced degree such as a masters, law, MBA, Ph.D., or others. Learn more and apply here.
- Medical Loan: For students seeking a medical, dental, osteopathic, podiatry, or veterinary degree. Learn more and apply here.
- Health Professional Loan: For students seeking a doctor of chiropractic, doctor of optometry, nurse practitioner, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, or other graduate health professional degree. Learn more and apply here.
- Parent Loan: For parents or guardians of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time in a degree, certificate, or diploma-granting program. Learn more and apply here.
- Refinance Loan: For those currently in repayment who want assistance with managing their student debt. Get payment estimates, too! Learn more and apply here.
Note: If you visit one of the above sites, please remember to return to this site if you decide to apply for a PA Forward Student Loan.
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.
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.
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.
Note: 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).
