Did you know that there are state-based non-profit lenders that sometimes offer the lowest student loan rates? That’s true – but not by very much, and the best rates are generally reserved for borrowers from that state.
There are many options when it comes to paying for college and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Scholarships and grants are no easy task if you can qualify, and the more you can save yourself, the better.
Yet, given the extraordinary cost of a college degree, many people must also use student loans.
However, what many people don’t realize is that there are many types of student loans, and different loan providers. In this article, we’ll explore an option that’s often overlooked: Private Nonprofit Student Loans. These are still private student loans, but they may offer better rates or incentives than traditional private student loan lenders.
Private Nonprofit Student Loans vs. Other Student Loans
The two most common student loan types are federal and private. Federal loans are issued by the federal government, and they offer various student loan repayment plans that you may or may not be familiar with.
Private student loans are offered by banks and other lenders. Your credit score, loan amount and your financial situation will determine what you qualify for. And while most private student loan providers are for-profit companies, private nonprofit lenders exist and may be a better option if you qualify.
These non-profit student loan lenders are typically selected by individual states to offer better private student loans to their students – usually through interest rate discounts or repayment incentives for in-state students.
Why Choose a Nonprofit Student Loan Provider?
The primary purpose of non-profit student loan providers is to help students and their families, and that mission takes priority before pursuing profits. As a result, they may offer lower interest rates or fees, allowing borrowers to save on some of the costs of college.
These lenders are generally able to take advantage of low-cost (and tax-exempt) municipal borrowing, which allows them to access funding at a lower cost. With this, the savings reach you.
Many nonprofits also offer scholarships, grants, and educational tools that can be just as valuable as access to loans.
Most private nonprofit student loans are not available nationwide – or if they are available nationwide, they do not offer the same discounts that would be available to in-state students. Many states have established semi-governmental non-profit organizations for the purpose of helping students and their families in a particular state or region.
So if you live in an area where there aren’t any nonprofit student loan providers, you may have to look for other options.
Private Nonprofit Student Loan Lender
Although there are many different nonprofit student loan providers out there, here are the five most common:
Brazos (Texas)
Brazos Higher Education is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help qualified students obtain higher education at a lower cost. They are headquartered in Texas and provide loans primarily to Texas residents or out-of-state residents attending Texas universities. They offer low-interest loans with little or no fees.
Check out our full Brazos review here.
Chesla (Connecticut)
Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) is a non-profit organization that serves Connecticut students, alumni, and their families. CHESLA was established in 1982 by the State of Connecticut to help students and families with the rising cost of college.
Read our full Chesla review here.
EDvestinU (New Hampshire)
EDvestinU is a non-profit student loan lender focused on helping New Hampshire students. They offer undergraduate and graduate student loans, as well as student loan refinancing. There are special discounts for New Hampshire residents and those attending college in New Hampshire.
Read our full EDvestinU review here.
ISL (Iowa)
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation, doing business as ISL Education Lending, is another non-profit student loan lender. They are based in West Des Moines, Iowa and their mission is to help Iowa students and families obtain the resources they need to succeed in post-secondary education.
See our full ISL student loan review here.
MEFA (Massachusetts)
MEFA is the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority, and they are a non-profit lender that supports Massachusetts residents and students. MEFA offers low-cost fixed-rate loans as well as student loan refinancing options for undergraduate and graduate students.
Read our full MEFA review here.
OSLA (Oklahoma)
There is also a non-profit student loan provider in Oklahoma Oklahoma Student Loan Authority (OSLA). OSLA was created by the Oklahoma legislature in 1972 as a public trust. Although OSLA was created by the Oklahoma state legislature, it does not receive any funding from the state government for operating expenses.
Read our full OSLA review here.
Risla (Rhode Island)
The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) was first established by Rhode Island in 1981 as a quasi-state authority. RISLA provides low-cost education loans and other resources to Rhode Island residents. They also have the RISLA College Planning Center as a free service to help students and parents plan and pay for their education.
Read our full RISLA student loan review here.
other state lenders
Some states have very specific loan programs. We’ve put these in a slightly different category because the loans are more specific. However, if you are a resident of these states or attend college there, they may be helpful in satisfying your federal student loans.
alaska
Alaska offers Alaska Supplemental Educational Loans. There are some limits and requirements on how much you can borrow. Learn more from Alaska Commission on Post-Secondary Education.
Check out our complete guide to Alaska student loans and financial aid.
arkansas
Arkansas offers a variety of loans for undergraduate, postgraduate and parents Arkansas Student Loan Authority.
Check out our complete guide to Arkansas student loans and financial aid.
Georgia
Georgia offers student access loan For eligible students in the University System of Georgia or the Georgia Technical College System.
Learn more about Georgia student loans and financial aid.
minnesota
Minnesota offers Self Student Loan ProgramWhich can provide $20,000 to eligible students in the state.
Learn more about Minnesota student loans and financial aid.
mississippi
Mississippi offers a variety forgivable student loans For various graduate student programs that meet the requirements in the state.
Learn more about Mississippi student loans and financial aid.
new Jersey
New Jersey has the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESSA), which offers NJCLASS loans. This loan is quite basic with a fixed interest rate and repayment terms of 10, 15 and 20 years.
Learn more about NJClass loan here.
pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers PA Forward Student Loan Program For Pennsylvania residents attending college in-state or out-of-state.
Learn more about Pennsylvania student loans and financial aid.
Vermont
Vermont offers low-cost fixed rate loans to state residents Vermont Advantage Loan Program.
Learn more about Vermont student loans and financial aid.
bottom line
If you live in a state with access to a non-profit student loan provider, it’s worth considering them because of their potentially lower interest rates and fees. Additionally, many nonprofit student loan providers offer grants, scholarships, and other educational resources that may be helpful to prospective students and their families.
The bottom line is that you have many options when it comes to preparing for and paying for the costs of higher education, so you’ll want to be aware of all of them.
