Private/Alternative Education Loans

The ELM Select website provides information regarding several different lender options that Millersville University students frequently use. You will be able to review information, compare, and apply for the private loans through this website. Before you are able to view lenders and their available loan options you will need to select your school Millersville University and then select your Program Type. You can compare up to 3 different lenders and/or loan types at a time by checking the Compare box and then clicking on the link. Loan terms vary, so it is important to be a conscientious consumer.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIST OF PRIVATE/ALTERNATIVE LOAN LENDERS

As a borrower, you have the right to select any lender you choose and Millersville University Office of Financial Aid will be happy to process any loan for students.  Other lenders may have the same eligibility allowances as those listed on the ELM Select website and below.  Please be sure to check with the lender if you have questions regarding eligibility requirements.

To view a list of common loan lenders that allow students to borrow funds under certain special circumstances, please refer to the information below:

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Less than half-time (1-5 CREDITS)

If you plan to enroll less than half-time (less than 6 credits per semester), you can apply for the following private loans:

Sallie Mae

pa forward  (goes into immediate re-payment)

College Ave 

COMMONBOND | NELNET BANK

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NON-DEGREE STUDENT

If you are admitted as a non-degree student, you can apply for the following private loans:

College Ave 

pa forward  (goes into immediate re-payment if less than 6 credits)

Sallie Mae

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SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (sap) issues

If you are NOT making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), you can apply for the following private loans:

ASCENT  

Citizens Bank

COMMONBOND | NELNET BANK

CUSTOM CHOICE

pa forward 

PNC Bank

Sallie Mae

SOFI

Union Federal

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PAST DUE BALANCES

If you need to cover a past-due balance, you can apply for the following private loans:

Citizens Bank (up to 365 days from the last date of attendance**)

College Ave (up to 365 days from the last date of attendance**)

EARNEST (up to 365 from the last date of attendance**)

PNC Bank (up to 60 days from the last date of attendance**)

Sallie Mae (no more than 365 days from the end date of the loan period to the date of the first disbursement on the loan***)

SOFI (up to 365 days from the last date of attendance**)

Thrivent (up to 90 days from the last date of attendance**)

Union Federal (up to 90 days from the last date of attendance**)

** Your Last Date of Attendance is calculated by the last date you were reported as enrolled for the semester. The loan that you apply for must fall within the applicable time frame allowed by the lender in order to be certified.  Please keep in mind that a loan for a past-due balance may only be applied to a previous term balance and cannot include current enrollment, current charges or exceed the amount past due. **

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Different lenders allow certain lengths of time to pass from the date of your past due balance and the date you requested the loan. For example, some lenders will only approve a loan for a past due balance of 1 month, while others may allow a loan for past-due balance up to 1 year. Make sure that you confirm with your lender that you are eligible to apply.

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DEFERRED ACTION CHILDHOOD ARRIVAL (DACA) Students

ASCENT  (with or without a cosigner)

Sallie Mae (with a US citizen or permanent resident cosigner)

SOFI (with a US citizen or permanent resident cosigner). 

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 As a borrower, you have the right to select any lender you choose and Millersville University Office of Financial Aid will be happy to process any loan for students.  Other lenders may have the same eligibility allowances as those listed above.  Please be sure to check with the lender if you have questions regarding eligibility requirements.

Private Education Loans, also referred to as Alternative loans, are educational loan programs established by private lenders to supplement the funding that students and parents receive from federal and state sources. Private loans have different lending criteria than government lending programs.

Some families turn to private education loans when the federal loans don't provide enough money or when they need more flexible repayment options. However, since federal education loans are generally less expensive than and offer better terms than private student loans, you should exhaust your eligibility for federal student loans before resorting to private student loans.

These loans are credit-based and in the student's name. The student may need to obtain a co-signer to qualify for the loan. Most Lenders offer both fixed and variable interest rates. The rates offered will be based on the individual's credit.

• Your federal and state financial aid does not cover all of your bill with the Office of Student Accounts
• You need additional money for other educational expenses such as books, housing, meals, etc. that is not covered by other financial aid
• You are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• You are not enrolled in a degree-seeking program 
• You are enrolled in certificate program only
• You have a past-due balance from another semester

Financing the cost of a college education can be a complex task. There are a number of options available to assist families who are in need of a way to bridge the gap between what their financial resources will allow and the cost of higher education. Since each family's financial situation is different, we are not able to recommend one financing plan that will meet each family's needs. We have, however, provided a link to a list of lenders frequently used by other Millersville University students and parents.  If you do not see a lender of your choice on the ELM Select website, contact the lender directly for application and disclosure information.

It is the responsibility of you, the consumer, to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these offerings and to make your decision based on those features that best meet your financial needs.  Please note, that in most cases, a student will need a credit-worthy cosigner when applying for these loans.  Students are advised to carefully review the "product details" for each loan to determine if they meet the lender's eligibility requirements; especially if they do not qualify for federal aid.  Please refer to the section below regarding Loans for Special Circumstances (less than half-time, non-degree, SAP, past due balance).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIST OF PRIVATE/ALTERNATIVE LOAN LENDERS

As a borrower, you have the right to select any lender you choose and Millersville University Office of Financial Aid will be happy to process any loan for students.  Other lenders may have the same eligibility allowances as those listed on the ELM Select website and below.  Please be sure to check with the lender if you have questions regarding eligibility requirements.

Apply within 180 days of the start of the semester.  Schedule all courses before you apply.  Applying too early may result in your credit approval expiration and cause you to have to complete a new application with the lender.

You can apply for a loan directly through the lender of your choice. Applications are available online through the lender's website. If you have questions regarding the application process, you will need to contact the lender directly. 

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Estimated Application Process & Timeline:

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• Due to federal regulations regarding private loans, you must also complete a self-certification if one was not completed during the application process.
• Once the loan is approved by the lender, information is sent to Millersville University to certify the loan.
  • This certification can take 5-10 business days to complete, depending on the volume of loans we are receiving. (See section below regarding When will I see my approved loan on my account?)
• Once Millersville University has certified the loan, the lender will send an approval disclosure, which must be responded to by you.
• A final (third disclosure) will then be sent to you by the lender and you will have 3 business days to rescind (cancel) the loan.
• You must have ALL DOCUMENTS to your lender and the school must receive FINAL APPROVAL before your loan can be used as a credit towards your semester bill. 
  • If your loan is showing on your financial aid awards but has not been credited to your bill, please contact your lender FIRST to determine if all documents have been received. There will be no exceptions.

Please review the difference between your financial aid award and expenses to determine the amount that you will need to borrow. The maximum loan amount that will be certified by the Office of Financial Aid Office is determined by the Cost of Attendance minus other financial aid awarded. 

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The Office of Financial Aid recommends when applying for a loan you do so for the entire academic year that you will be enrolled. Here are some reasons why:

• You only have to go through the process once a year and will just need to make sure to clear your bill with the Office of Student Accounts each semester.
• It minimizes the number of checks on your credit.
• You are billed per semester, so if you need additional funds to cover your bill in the fall, it is likely you will need additional funds in the spring; therefore, it is recommended that you apply for a loan for the entire year (both fall/spring semesters).

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To estimate how much you may entire year, take the amount you need in the fall and multiply it by two. When you complete your application, select the loan period from August-May.

• Increases in the loan amount ARE NOT AVAILABLE after the financial aid office processes your private loan.  If you determine that you need additional alternative loan funds after your loan has been processed by the financial aid office, you should complete a new application with the lender.

Please be advised that if you do not indicate a loan term or indicate an invalid loan term on your loan application, the loan term will default to the academic year (fall/spring).  If you need funds for the summer or winter terms you must complete a separate application from the fall and spring semesters. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to indicate the correct loan term dates to ensure the correct processing of your alternative loan. 

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 2023-2024 LOAN PERIOD DATES

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• Summer Only: 05/2023 - 08/2024
  • Applications for summer must be a separate application and cannot be combined with fall/spring applications. 
• Fall/Spring: 08/2023 - 05/2024
  • This is the recommended loan period to choose and students can begin applying after May 15.
• Fall Only: 08/2023 - 12/2023
  • This will only apply to the fall semester and students can begin applying after May 15.
• Winter Only: 12/2023 - 01/2024
  • This will only apply to the winter mini-session and students should not apply until after October 1, 2023.
• Spring Only: 01/2024 - 05/2024
  • This will only apply to the spring semester and students should not apply until after October 1, 2023.

 

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Processing times may vary depending on the time of year applications are submitted and the loan period associated with an application.

• Please allow 2-4 weeks processing time once the lender has notified Millersville of your eligibility.
• During high-peak times (April-September) please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.

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Applications are certified in the order they are received by the Office of Financial Aid only after credit is approved by the lender and the school is notified of the loan.

• For a loan to be certified; enrollment must be confirmed and the student cannot have any other outstanding requirements for Millersville.
• Once the Loan has been certified by the school, the lender will be notified and then will send back final approval to the school.
• The amount borrowed and the disbursement status can be reviewed on the lender's website for which you borrowed from.

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All loans are set to disburse after the first week of classes when the add/drop period for registration ends.

• Exceptions to this policy can only be made for students studying abroad, however, all of the following must apply:
  • request for early disbursement must be made by the student and in a timely manner
  • documentation proving the student is studying abroad 
  • documentation showing departure date/time
• Please note that the earliest we can disburse the funds is 30 days prior to your departure date. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Application and Solicitation Disclosure Forms as required under Title X of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Please click on the link ELM SELECT for the private student loan information, Loan Application and Solicitation Disclosures where they list their conditions, fees, and interest rates.

Millersville University is committed to providing students and their families with the best information and processing alternatives available regarding student borrowing.  In support of this and in an effort to rule out any perceived or actual conflict of interest between Millersville University officers, employees or agents, and education loan lenders, Millersville University has adopted the following:

• Millersville University does not participate in any revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender.
• Millersville University does not permit any officer, employee or agent of the school who is employed in the financial aid office or is otherwise involved in the administration of education loans to accept any gifts of greater than a nominal value from any lender, guarantor or servicer.
• Millersville University does not permit any officer, employee or agent of the school who is employed in the financial aid office or is otherwise involved in the administration of education loans to accept any fee, payment or other financial benefit (including a stock purchase option) from a lender or affiliate of a lender as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.
• Millersville University does not permit any officer, employee or agent of the school who is employed in the financial aid office or is otherwise involved in the administration of education loans to accept anything of value from a lender, guarantor, or group of lenders and/or guarantors in exchange for service on an advisory board, commission or other group established by such a lender, guarantor group of lenders and/or guarantors.  Millersville University does allow for the reasonable reimbursement of expenses associated with participation in such boards, commissions or groups by lenders, guarantors, or groups of lenders and/or guarantors.
• Millersville University does not assign a lender to any first-time borrower through financial aid packaging or any other means.
• Millersville University recognizes that a borrower has the right to choose any lender from which to borrow to finance his/her education.  Millersville University will not refuse to certify or otherwise deny or delay certification of a loan based on the borrower’s selection of a lender and/or guarantor.
• Millersville University will not request or accept any offer of funds to be used for private education loans to students from any lender in exchange for providing the lender with a specified number or volume of Title IV loans, private education loans, or a preferred lender arrangement for Title IV or private loans.
• Millersville University will not request or accept any assistance with call center or financial aid office staffing.

Lyle Hall, 2nd Floor, Room 241

Office Hours:
Standard: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (mid-August to mid-May)                                                                Summer: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (mid-May to mid-August)

Call Center Hours:
Available by Phone: Mon.-Fri. 8:00am to 6:00pm 

Phone: 717-871-5100                           
Fax:  717-871-7980 
Email: fa.mail@millersville.edu

USPS Mailing Address:
Office of Financial Aid
Millersville University
P.O. Box 1002
Millersville, PA 17551-0302

Address for UPS/FedEx:
Office of Financial Aid
Lyle Hall, 2nd Floor
40 Dilworth Rd
Millersville, PA 17551-0302