Loans
The U.S. Department of Education administers and oversees several loan programs designed to offer low-interest funding to students and their parents who need to borrow money to cover the costs of education - including Federal Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and Federal Direct PLUS loans. These federal loans have fixed interest rates, consumer protections, and flexible repayment options not available with any other loan program. Loans must be accepted through PAWS by the end of the semester in order to be disbursed.
ECMC Learning Financial Literacy
CSU Pueblo partners with ECMC Learning to provide a financial literacy tool that is available to all students. We encourage you to take the steps to ask for help, educate yourself, and take control of your finances. CSU Pueblo empowers whole-student success in and out of the classroom. The knowledge you gain about budgeting, saving, and managing debt can allow you to make informed decisions and empower you to change your life by practicing good financial habits. On the platform, you can explore relevant courses, articles, videos, calculators, and more! Just a few of the topics covered are budgeting, saving and investing, scholarships and financial aid, career development, and managing student loan debt. Please visit the ECMC Learning platform, create an account, and start exploring!
Before You Borrow
It is also important to take starting salaries into account when determining how much student loan to utilize. Take the time to research and utilize resources available to help make a reasonable assumption as to what potential earnings could be in a chosen field or profession.
Studentaid.gov
Students can view their federal loan history at any time 24/7 through the Studentaid.gov website. You will need your Federal Student Aid ID & password (the same used to sign your FAFSA) to log into the system. For questions regarding Studentaid.gov, please contact the Federal Student Aid Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Other (non-federal Title IV) Loan Programs
Private or Alternative Loans
Private loans are available to all students regardless of financial aid eligibility. These loans are made through banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions and are subject to the lending institution’s terms. Many private lenders allow students to be the primary borrower with a creditworthy cosigner. We encourage you to consider first apply for Title IV aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) since the terms and conditions of federal student loans will be significantly better than those for private loans.
Private loan lenders set their own rates, fees, and terms based on borrower and/or cosigner credit worthiness. When you enter into an agreement with a private loan provider, you should review all loan disclosures for a complete understanding of your loan and repayment options.
- Alaska Student Loans - May offer competitive alternatives to other student loan programs for residents of Alaska: http://acpe.alaska.gov/FINANCIAL_AID/Loans/State_Education_Loans
- The Nurse Faculty Loan Program - Assists registered nurses pursuing graduate education to become qualified nurse faculty: https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/hrsa-20-004
- Contact the CSU-Pueblo Nursing Department for more information.
