Student Loans



NOTICE: Student Loan Reform Act of 2010



All federal loans are now certified through the U.S. Private Lender ListDepartment of Education, including any PLUS Loans a student or parent may intend to borrow. In order for the Office of Financial Aid Services to certify your student loan for the academic year, you will need to complete Entrance Counseling as well as a new Master Promissory Note.

Both of these tasks can be accomplished at www.studentloans.gov. Note: You will need the PIN used to sign your FAFSA to access your Federal Direct Loan account.
  1. Sign in to create your account.
  2. Enter your social security number, first two letters of your last name, date of birth and federal (FAFSA) PIN.
  3. Click the Entrance Counseling link to complete your Master Promissory Note.
  4. Complete the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note, and make sure you add Lewis University as your school.
Generally, federal loans tend to have better repayment terms than private student loans.

Determine Your Eligibility

Student loans are a great way to secure financial assistance throughout your university career.

Your first step is to determine your eligibility for receiving any of a vast array of Federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans.


FEDERAL LOAN
PROGRAM		 YEARLY
AWARDS		 CRITERIA
Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)   A federal loan program that is awarded upon completion of the FAFSA. Repayment begins six months after graduation or cessation of enrollment.
   - Freshman $3,500 sub, $2,000 unsub Independent students or Parent Plus loan denials may receive up to an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized as a freshman or sophomore.
   - Sophomore $4,500 sub, $2,000 unsub  
   - Junior/Senior $5,500 sub, $2,000 unsub Independent students or Parent Plus loan denials may receive up to an additional $5,000 in unsubsidized as a junior or senior.
   - Graduate $8,500 sub, up to $20,500 unsub The total loan amount is determined by student's total cost of attendance.
Federal Perkins Loan $5,500 A low interest federal loan program sponsored by the federal government. Preferrence will be given to students who are pell eligible and are graduating senior.
Federal PLUS Loan Up to cost of attendance A loan for parents of dependent undergraduate students.
Student Employment - Institutional Part-time Employement $3,600 An on-campus employment program for students to work up to 20 hours per week
Alternate/Private Up to cost of attendance A loan from an outside lender to help cover cost. Please see www.lewisu.edu/admissions/finaid/lenders.htm.


The benefit of a Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is that you are not charged interest on the loan while you are in school at least half-time, as well as during grace periods or deferment periods. These loans are offered to students who display a financial need.

You are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Interest will accumulate on your loan throughout your time in school.

Learn more about these loans and how to apply at the official Federal Student Aid site.

Federal Loan Servicers

What does a federal loan servicer do? A servicer is an organization that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education to facilitate repayment, customer support, and customer service on federal student loans.

Who are the federal loan servicers for the U.S. Department of Education?

Servicer
Contact Information
Direct Loan Servicing Center(ACS)
800-848-0979
FedLoan Servicing
800-6992908
Great Lakes
800-236-4300
Nelnet
888-486-472
Sallie Mae
800-722-1300

Who is my federal loan servicer? You can locate your loan servicer at www.NSLDS.ed.gov.

Alternative Loans


This is a non-need based loan program for students who do not qualify for other loan programs. These private college loans allow the student to borrow up to the amount of the student's cost of attending Lewis University.

Private Lender List


Click here for Lewis University's Private Lender List.

Loan Consolidation


The general idea behind loan consolidation is that by combining several student loans into one bigger loan, you will only have to worry about a single payment. But there are several things that students need to understand before consolidating.

  1. You should never have to pay a fee to consolidate your loans.
  2. Consolidation can reduce your monthly payment, but often extends the life of your loan and your overall payment.
  3. Consolidation can forfeit your original repayment incentives.
  4. Consolidation may eliminate your deferment options.
  5. Consolidation may eliminate your forgiveness options under Stafford and Perkins loans.
  6. You are only eligible for loan consolidation upon graduation or withdrawal from school.
Get more in-depth information on student loan consolidation and apply now through the following government sites.

Parent Plus Loan



How to Apply for Financial Aid

Complete Your FAFSA


Begin your Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

  Ask a Question

Ask a Question


Have a question? E-mail our Financial Aid staff right now.