Fill the gap in financial aid

Education is one of the best long-term investments you can make. It's also one of the most expensive. When federal financial aid isn't enough, consider a Private Student Loan from OCCU.

How to pay for college

If you haven't made a plan to pay for college, don't fret! There are various funding options for college, and making a plan is essential. Here's how to build your plan:

Understand your options

Find out what your college funding options are with this blog post.

 

Apply for financial aid

Start with a FAFSA and apply for scholarships.

Fill the gap

With any expenses remaining, consider an OCCU Private Student Loan.

What's the interest rate?

Your exact rate depends on your credit score, but you get to choose whether it changes or stays the same.

Variable rate: Works best with a short-term loan.
Fixed rate: Gives you a set monthly payment.

8.24%

APR on variable student loan as low as

7.74%

APR on fixed student loans as low as

Can I qualify?

As the student, you’ll be the primary borrower. To qualify for a Private Student Loan, you must be:

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • Older than 18
  • A U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible non-citizen
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Do I need a co-signer?

You can skip the cosigner if you have at least:

  • Eight years of credit history (besides student loans)
  • 720+ credit score
  • At least $40,000 annual income
  • 35% or less debt-to-income ratio

Where can I use it?

Maybe you’ve had your school picked out since you were five. Maybe you’re still thinking about it. Either way, you can use your Private Student Loan to fund an undergrad or graduate degree at a nonprofit, four-year public or private higher education institution. Sorry, no two-year, trade or certificate programs.

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Borrowing limits

You can borrow anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000 annually, and up to $50,000 from OCCU over your entire education career.

We won’t charge you any loan origination or repayment fees. Once the loan enters repayment, we’ll even throw in a 0.25% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) rate reduction with automatic payments.1

How it works

We send the money to your school. They apply it toward your tuition and refund you any extra. You can spend the rest on school-related expenses like housing, books or fees. Once we make the disbursement, your loan starts accruing interest.

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Paying it back

You can take up to 10 years to pay back your loan once you are no longer in school. You don’t need to make payments while you’re in school, but your loan will still accrue interest. Our standard, interest-only and fully deferred loans even give you an extra six-month grace period.

Still have questions?

Reach out and we can chat about it.

1If at any time automatic payments are stopped, payment is returned NSF for 2 months in a row, Borrower is past due or the loan is not in repayment status, the rate discount 0.25% will not be applied. OCCU reserves the right to modify or discontinue Borrower Benefits at its discretion and without notice.

Private Education Loan Variable Rate Application and Solicitation Disclosure
Private Education Loan Fixed Rate Application and Solicitation Disclosure