Institutional Loans

Wheelock College Loan

Wheelock College offers a limited number of loans to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. There are no fees or interest charges during the student's full-time undergraduate enrollment at Wheelock or during the six-month grace period following graduation (or withdrawal) from Wheelock. After that point, the program enters repayment and carries a 5% interest rate. Loan amounts vary between $1,500 and $3,000 per academic year. To apply for this loan, students must complete the financial aid application process.

Federal Loans

Stafford Loans

Completing Entrance Counseling  New Stafford Loan borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling.  Please go to the Mapping Your Future website complete this requirement.

Completing the Master Promissory Note
Your Master Promissory Note (MPN) can be completed online through American Student Assistance.  American Student Assistance (ASA) is a student loan guarantor and will work with you from the time you sign your promissory note, until you finish repaying your loans. You will need to create an account before completing your MPN.  Step-by-Step instructions on completing your MPN can be found at http://www.amsa.com/direct/borrowers/staffordesigninstructions.cfm.  Choose the link titled, “Everything You Need to Begin the Electronic Signature (e-Sign) Process for your Federal Stafford Loan Application on ASA Direct”. 

If a lender you want is not on this list, you have the ability to select any other participating lender from ASA's lender list. Once you have made your choice and authenticated your identity with your FAFSA PIN, ASA will process your loan and notify Wheelock College when the loan is ready to be disbursed.
This process applies to students who select a lender from our suggested lender list as well as all other lenders guaranteed by ASA. If you have chosen to use a lender that is not guaranteed by ASA, you must contact that lender directly and have them provide Wheelock College with a completed Master Promissory Note and a Certification Request.

Choosing a Lender

Our suggested lender list was created based on information provided to Wheelock through our April 2008 Request for Information. This information is provided for our families to use as a tool.  The loan options presented below have been reviewed by the Financial Aid Office and are presented to you based on potential borrower benefits, customer service, and reliability.  As with any financial decision, we encourage our families to research their options before choosing a lender.

Lender Name

Phone Number

Fees for 08-09 *

Potential Benefits

Lender Code

Connecticut Student Loan Foundsation (CSLF)

1-800-237-9721

1% origination fee
1% default fee

.50% interest rate reduction for autopay

828614

Chase Bank

1-800-487-4404

1% origination fee
1% default fee

.25% interest rate reduction for autopay

803000

Nellie Mae

1-888-2-SALLIE

1% origination fee
1% default fee

.25% interest rate reduction for autopay

829076

#New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corp (NHHELCO)

1-800-525-2577

1% origination fee
1% default fee

.25% interest reduction for autopay

832994

EdAmerica

1-800-337-1009

0 origination fee
1% default fee

.25% interest reduction for autopay

831453

KeyBank

1-800-KEY-LEND

1% origination fee
1% default fee

.25% interest rate reduction for autopay

813760

Citizens Bank

1-800-708-6684

1% origination fee
1% default fee

.25% interest rate reduction for autopay

817729

*This information is a result of each lender’s response to Wheelock College’s request for information as of April 2008.  This information represents the rates and terms effective for loans disbursed from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.  The Financial Aid Office attempts to keep the above information as current as possible, however, we urge you to carefully read all documents provided by your lender to confirm the terms of your loan.

#This lender requires promissory notes and certifications to be processed through NHHEAF. If you choose NHHELCO as your lender, please contact their office to begin the Master Promissory Note process.

Federal Stafford Loan - General
The Federal Stafford loan program is a government regulated loan with interest fixed at 6.8%. To be eligible a student must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program. This loan has a six-month grace period after graduation or after the student drops below half-time status. The repayment period is ten years, and the aggregate undergraduate limit (total amount a student can borrow while an undergrad) is capped at $23,000. Students must file a FAFSA to be eligible for a Stafford loan.

The annual limits for an undergraduate dependent student's Stafford Loan are proscribed by federal statute and are dictated by the students' academic year as follows:

First year status $3,500
Second year status $4,500
Third year status $5,500
Fourth year status $5,500

Subsidized Stafford Loans

If a student provides evidence of financial need through the FAFSA, he or she will be awarded the Subsidized Stafford loan. The term "subsidized" reflects that the government pays any interest that may accumulate on this type of Stafford loan while the student is in school at least half-time or in deferment. Essentially, a Subsidized Stafford Loan is interest-free while the student is in school. Upon entering repayment the normal 6.8% interest rate applies.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Students who do NOT demonstrate financial need for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan may still qualify for the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. This non-need-based loan program carries the same annual borrowing limits per year, interest rate, fees, and repayment terms as the subsidized loan program. However, interest WILL accrue on the loan while the student is in-school, and during grace and deferment periods. This interest can be paid or capitalized on to the principal balance of the loan.

A Note on Stafford Loans

Depending on their need, some students may receive both Subsidized AND Unsubsidized loans. For example, if a freshman student demonstrates only $1,000 of need via the FAFSA, she will receive a $1,000 Subsidized loan, and the remainder of her Stafford eligibility in the form of $2,500 of Unsubsidized loans, thereby bringing her up to the $3,500 limit for a freshman. This ensures that all students can borrow their federally proscribed limit in Stafford loans regardless of need.

Stafford Loans for Independent Students

In addition to the normal annual loan limits for dependent students, any student filing the FAFSA as an independent will be allowed to borrow additional Unsubsidized funds through the Stafford program. These limits are listed below, and are cumulative with the normal undergraduate limits.

First year status $4,000
Second year status $4,000
Third year status $5,000
Fourth year status $5,000

As a final note for the Stafford loan program, if a parent attempts to borrow the Federal PLUS Loan and is denied, a dependent student may qualify for the same additional Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans an independent student would. In such cases, the student must provide the financial aid office with a copy of the parent's PLUS Loan denial. Any student receiving an independent student's level of Stafford loans is extended a higher lifetime borrowing limit of $46,000 to compensate for the increased loan totals per year.

Federal Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5%) loan for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. No interest or fees are charged and no repayment is required while a student is enrolled at least half-time (six credits per quarter) or during the nine-month grace period following graduation or withdrawal from school. Funds are awarded by Wheelock College and are limited. Undergraduate award amounts range from $1,000 to $3,000 annually.