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.

Loan Eligibility

The PA Forward Student Loan Program is designed for PA residents attending an approved school in or out of state, and residents of approved states attending a PA school regardless of enrollment status, including those enrolled less than half-time. (PA Forward approved states include DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, VA, and WV. 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.

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.