Unitus Student Loan Program

FFELP - Students and Parents

  • Stafford Loans
    • No loan origination fee (paid on your behalf by Unitus)
    • The subsidized Federal Stafford Loan is based on financial need. The government pays the interest while you are in school.
    • The unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan is not based on need, but family income is a determining factor. You pay all the interest, although you can have the payments deferred until after graduation.

  • PLUS (Parental Loan for Undergraduate Students) Loans
    • Creditworthy parents of dependent undergraduate students can apply for this loan, which is not based on need.

To learn more about low-interest federal student loans, refer to the Student Loan Quick Reference Guide (PDF) for more details on Stafford and PLUS Loans, including:

  • The application process
  • Current rates
  • Loan limits
  • Toll-free numbers to check the status of your loan account

How to Obtain a Federal Student Loan through Unitus (Lender Code 819350)

  1. Complete a FAFSA
    Before you begin applying for a Stafford and/or PLUS Loan, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It must be completed for each academic year that you request federal aid. FAFSAs for the upcoming academic year are available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov on or after January 2. Contact your school for their application deadline.

  2. Receive your SAR
    Once your FAFSA is processed, a Student Aid Report (SAR) is created. If you completed your FAFSA online, allow 1-2 weeks for you and your school to receive the SAR electronically. Paper FAFSAs take 6-8 weeks to process.

  3. Receive your Award Letter
    Your school(s) uses data from your SAR to determine your financial aid award for the current academic year and send you an award letter by e-mail or US Mail. (If your letter mentions the William D. Ford Direct Lending Program, contact your school for the appropriate promissory note.)

  4. Complete a Stafford Master Promissory Note
    Complete and print the Stafford Master Promissory Note (MPN) to get your loan at Unitus.

    While you must complete the FASFA process to apply for aid each academic year, this Master Promissory Note will be used by the credit union to process all of your loans over multiple academic years at the same school. Be sure to indicate your FULL school name (no abbreviations) and school code (if known), city and state in the upper right-hand corner of the Master Promissory Note. Return it to the address below so we can complete the processing for you.

    Unitus Community Credit Union
    Attn: Member Loan Center
    PO Box 1937
    Portland, OR 97207-1937

  5. If Needed, Complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note
    Parents can complete and print the PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note online. The Plus Loan Master Promissory Note will be used for all of your loans over multiple academic years at the same school. Be sure to indicate your child's school name (no abbreviations) and school code (if known), city and state in the upper right hand corner of the Master Promissory Note. Return it to the address below so we can complete the processing for you.

    Unitus Community Credit Union
    Attn: Member Loan Center
    PO Box 1937
    Portland, OR 97207-1937

  6. Your School will Receive the Funds
    Unitus has partnered with Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. (Great Lakes) to service and guarantee our Stafford and PLUS Loans. When Great Lakes receives the Master Promissory Note from Unitus and the School Certification Form from the school indicating the loan amount and disbursement dates, funds will be sent to the school.

  7. Access Your Loan Account Online
    You can check the status of your loan, view your account information and make payments from your bank account 24/7 at www.mygreatlakes.com. After you log in, choose My Loans, then Internet Borrower Inquiry Service to get started. This site offers a variety of tools for calculating the cost of your loan. It's your resource to forms, a glossary of financial aid terms, contact information, and lots of other information to help you manage your loans.

  8. Toll-free Numbers for Loan Inquiries
    • Contact BEFORE your loan is disbursed to the school:
      • Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. at 1-800-247-0462
    • Contact AFTER your loan is disbursed to the school:
      • Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. at 1-800-236-4300

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