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Student Loans Understanding Your Smart Borrowing Options

Funding Your Education with Student Loans

After you've taken all the steps you can to reduce the cost of your tuition—like transferring credits, grants and scholarships, work-study programs, tuition assistance and military discounts— it still may not be possible for you to pay out pocket for your remaining costs. If that’s the case, student loans can help you fund your education.

If you’re thinking about taking out one or more federal or private student loans, talk to our financial services team about smart borrowing practices and to get all the information you need to fund your educational future. Because you'll be responsible for paying back any student loans you take, even if you don't complete your degree, it's important to borrow responsibly, and keep in mind that you don't need take out loans for the full amount you're approved for. Talk to your Student Financial Services team to learn more.

Direct Loan Information

Direct Subsidized Loans are fixed low interest loans that are based on financial need.

Parent PLUS Loan Information

The Parent PLUS Loan is a federal loan that allows parents of undergraduate students to borrow up to the cost of education, less any financial aid.

Graduate PLUS Loan Information

Graduate and professional degree students are now eligible to borrow under the PLUS Loan Program up to their cost of attendance minus other estimated financial assistance in the Direct Loan Program.

Private Loan Information

Alternative loans are private loans for students to help finance all or part of their cost of attendance at SNHU. Before applying for any of these loans, be sure you have exhausted all other means and have applied for need-based federal financial aid.

Loan Counseling

Students who borrow under a Federal Loan Program (Direct Loans and Grad PLUS) for the first time at the university are required to complete Entrance Loan Counseling. If you are leaving the university (withdrawal or graduation), you must complete Exit Loan Counseling.