A Loan with Pennsylvania Students in Mind
Through the PA Forward Student Loan Program, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers private education loan options to enable Pennsylvania students to pursue their higher education dreams and to make managing their loans easier and more convenient.
Recording of 8/31/22 interview with Laura LeBeau on WLBR-AM 1270
Listen to Rick Rollman, Chief Lending Officer of JBT & Ken Shutter, Vice President of Private Lending from PHEAA:
Benefits that Matter
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No application or origination fees
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Low, fixed interest rates
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Multiple repayment options
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Potential interest rate rewards
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No prepayment penalty
Loan Eligibility
PA Forward was designed for PA residents attending an approved school in or out of state, and residents of approved states1 attending a PA school regardless of enrollment status, including those enrolled less than half-time.2
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.
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 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.
PA State Employees
PHEAA is excited to announce that if you're part of the Commonwealth workforce in Pennsylvania, we've got a great deal for you. PHEAA proudly offers a 0.25% interest rate discount on any new PA Forward or Keystone Student Loan that is disbursed on or after December 1, 2023. This offer is available to Commonwealth employees who are either the borrower, co-signer, or student working at an approved Commonwealth agency or PHEAA.
Learn More/Apply
Loan Types
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/Apply
Graduate Loan
For students seeking an advanced degree such as a masters, law, MBA, Ph.D., or others.
Learn More/Apply
Medical Loan
For students seeking a medical, dental, osteopathic, podiatry, or veterinary degree.
Learn More/Apply
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/Apply
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/Apply
Refinance Loan
For those currently in repayment who want assistance with managing their student debt.
Get payment estimates too!
Learn More/Apply
Plan Ahead & 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 four 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
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.