Check out the quick & easy four steps to complete your ACPE Education Loan application. (Remember: For specific loan requirements, please review each loan program page).

Step 1: Apply Online with the following information available:  

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Institution information
• Financial Aid Information (such as Cost of Attendance)
• References (for ASEL & FEL only)

Step 2: Add a Cosigner (needed if you do not have a qualifying credit score)

• Including Name & Email of cosigner

Step 3: Review Your Loan Terms

• Be sure to go over the terms of your loan to understand the amount you're borrowing and repayment terms

Step 4: Sign & Submit Your Application

• Sign your documents as requested and you're all set!

 General ACPE Supplemental (Student) and Family Education Loan eligibility includes:

• Alaska Resident, or attend an eligible Alaska school (Supplemental)
• Have a FICO credit score of at least 640 and an absence of adverse credit, or apply with an eligible cosigner  (Supplemental)
• Borrower credit history does not demonstrate a chronic inability or unwillingness to pay an extension of credit (Family)
• Be enrolled at least half-time (Supplemental)
• Be enrolled at least full-time (Family)

General ACPE Education Refinance Loan eligibility includes:  

• Alaska Resident or a previous borrower, cosigner, or beneficiary of an ACPE education loan OR a graduate of a high school or postsecondary institutions physically located in Alaska
• Have at least $7,500 in qualifying education loan(s) in good standing
• Have a minimum FICO score of at least 680 or higher, or a cosigner who meets the FICO requirement

ACPE education loans have expanded residency qualifications, to increase access to our responsible lending options. 

Student (Supplemental) Education Loans require that the  borrower be an Alaska Resident or attend an institution physically located in Alaska.

Family Education Loan requires that the borrower and student must be Alaska Residents.

 EXPANDED RESIDENCY! Education Refinance (REFI) Loan now offers that borrower can be an Alaska Resident OR:

• A previous borrower, cosigner, or beneficiary of an ACPE Education Loan, OR
• A graduate of a high school and/or postsecondary institution physically located in Alaska

For most federal and alternative education loan programs, after you graduate, leave school, or drop below a half-time enrollment, you have a one-time, six-month grace period before you must begin making payments. Interest continues to accrue on the outstanding principal balance during the grace period and will be added (capitalized) at the end of this period.

Payments are not required during your grace period; however, you can begin repaying your loans before the grace period ends. Making payments early and often will save you money, lower your overall balance, and may even shorten you loan repayment term. Review your promissory note for details about your grace period.

If you are having trouble making payments on your education loans, your servicer may be able to help. Whether you have federal or alternative education loans, there are a variety of repayment options available to assist you during financial difficulties.

Don't wait until your account becomes delinquent or in default. If you are unable to make a payment, contact AES, ACPE's trusted loan servicer, as soon as possible to discuss options to adjust your repayment schedule and lower, or even postpone your monthly payments. For more information contact AES toll free 800-233-0557, M-F 3:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. AKST.

Deferments allow qualified applicants to temporarily postpone repayment of federal or alternative loans. You must apply and qualify for a deferment unless you are enrolled in school at least half-time. In most cases, interest continues to accrue during a deferment period, and may be added (capitalized) at the end of the deferment period. Review your promissory note for details about deferment options.

Payments are not required during periods of deferment; however, making payments to cover the monthly interest accrual will save you money, lower your overall balance, and may even shorten your loan repayment term. For more information contact AES toll free 800-233-0557, M-F 3:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. AKST.

Forbearance is an option available to qualified borrowers to temporarily suspend payments. This option may be available to borrowers for special circumstances, who are financially unable to make student loan payments, but are not eligible for a deferment. Forbearance is not a long-term solution and should only be considered as a last resort to avoid default. If you are experiencing short-term financial difficulties and you do not qualify for deferment, a forbearance may be available. In most cases, interest continues to accrue during a forbearance and may be added (capitalized) at the end of the forbearance period.

Payments are not required during periods of forebearance; however, making payments to cover the monthly interest accrual will save you money, lower your overall balance, and may even shorten your loan repayment term. For more information contact AES toll free 800-233-0557, M-F 3:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. AKST.

Your education loan is considered delinquent when your monthly payment is not received by the due date. If your loan continues in a delinquent status, you may default on your loan. Delinquency and default are very serious, and the consequences can harm your credit and hinder your ability to borrow money for future purchases.

If your alternative education loan becomes either 180 or 270 days past due (depending on loan program), you are legally in default. Upon default, collection activities will commence.

Consequences of Default

Defaulting on your education loan has serious consequences – that is why we will do our best to help you keep your account current. Failure to repay your loan may result in, but is not limited to:

• Adverse reports to consumer reporting agencies
• Loss of loan deferment rights
• Garnishment of your Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
• Transfer to an external collection agency
• Additional costs to you for collection and accrued interest
• Administrative wage garnishment
• Lien on property

How to Avoid Delinquency and Default

We're here to help educate you on how to make sound financial decisions. Even if you are delinquent on your loan, you can still avoid default. Don't wait until it's too late; contact your servicer if you’re having trouble making payments so they can help you choose an option that best fits your situation.

• Always read and respond to correspondence you receive from your servicer
• Carefully read the terms of your promissory note to know your obligations and options
• Keep good records – file important documents where you can locate them quickly
• Monitor your account balance, due date, and payment activity online
• Notify your servicer if you change your address, email, or telephone number
• Contact your servicer if you are unable to make your scheduled monthly payment; there may be options available to help reduce or even postpone your payment

Does ACPE processes my loan application and service my ACPE education loan(s)?

ACPE partnered with CampusDoor and American Education Services (AES) to provide Alaskans with education loan processing and servicing for all their student and family loan needs.

Can I still contact ACPE’s customer service if I need help with my loans?

ACPE Customer Service is available to assist you; however, for questions regarding the status of pending applications and disbursement processing, CampusDoor is your first point of contact. For questions regarding the servicing of existing ACPE loans, American Education Services (AES) is your first point of contact.

Will I have access to loan information with AES online?

You can manage your loans at AES anytime by accessing your online account at aesSuccess.org.

Through AES’ online account access you can get an at-a-glance view of your account including the ability to view loan details, see your monthly bill, schedule a payment, and update your address and telephone information. In addition, you will have access to tools and resources so you can stay up-to-date and knowledgeable about your student loans.

May I send my loan payments to ACPE?

Loan payments must be made to AES. You may send your payment to:
American Education Services
P.O. Box 65093
Baltimore, MD 21264-5093

You also have the option to pay online by setting up an account at aesSuccess.org or over the telephone by calling 800-233-0557. For more information on ways to pay your loan(s) with AES visit aesSuccess.org/manage/repaying_your_loan.

Does AES offer a telephone payment option?

Customers can make a telephone payment anytime, day or night through AES' Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) system, by calling toll-free 1-800-233-0557. Payments may also be made through a Customer Service Representative, by calling the same number, Monday through Friday, 3:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. AKST. You will need your 10-digit AES account number and date of birth on-hand for identification purposes. Be sure to have your bank routing number and account number ready to set up an electronic payment. Customers can schedule up to eight (8) payments per month, up to 180 days in the future. Payments are effective the same day the payment is submitted unless a future date is selected. For more information on ways to pay your loan(s) with AES visit aesSuccess.org/manage/repaying_your_loan.

Does AES offer a recurring payment option?

ACPE customers can enroll in AES’ free automatic payment service called Direct Debit by visiting aesSuccess.org. With Direct Debit, AES can electronically withdraw your scheduled monthly payment, along with any additional amount you request, from your bank account, on your scheduled due date, the 1st through the 28th of each month.

If I sign up for Direct Debit with AES, will I receive the 0.25% interest rate reduction?

You may be eligible to receive a 0.25% interest rate reduction on your alternative loans by authorizing AES to automatically deduct qualifying loan payments from a checking or savings account during the in-school, grace, and repayment periods. The reduction will remain in effect as long as qualifying automatic payments continue without interruption and the following conditions are met:

• In-school/Grace/Deferment/Forbearance Period – Payments made during the in-school, deferment and forbearance periods must be a minimum of $20.00 per loan.
• Repayment Period Fully Deferred Loans – Your loan must be current in repayment and payments must be equal to, or greater than the monthly installment amount billed by AES.
• Immediate Repay Loans – For loans issued for academic years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 payments must be a minimum of $50.00. For loans issued for academic years beginning with 2025/2026, payments must be a minimum of $20.00.

Does AES offer one-time payments?

ACPE customers can access AES’ online payment solution and mobile application to make an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment from a bank account. Customers can schedule up to eight (8) payments up to 180 days into the future. You can make payments effective the same day the payment is submitted or schedule a future date.

Does AES offer an online third-party payment service?

AES does not have an online third-party payment service. AES can accept payments from a family member or other individual by mail or phone. For more information on ways to pay your loan(s) with AES visit aesSuccess.org/manage/repaying_your_loan.

Does AES accept debit or credit cards as a form of payment?

AES does not accept debit or credit cards. Payments can be made from a checking or savings account, or by money order.

Can I enroll in paperless billing with AES?

You do have the option to enroll in AES’ paperless billing and get monthly email reminders when your payment is due. AES’ paperless billing allows you to sign in and pay or view your bill from the secure Account Access link included in the monthly email reminders.

Can I still contact ACPE’s customer service if I need help with my loan application process?

If you have questions regarding the loan application process, you can contact CampusDoor’s dedicated team of experts who can assist you through the application process. CampusDoor customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. AKST.

Who will service my new loan?

Once your application is processed and disbursed by CampusDoor, your loan will be transferred to American Education Services (AES) for servicing.

AES will send you a welcome letter that will include your account number and other important information about your account.

How early do I need to apply for financial aid?

A good rule of thumb is to apply as soon as you receive your school's financial aid award letter, showing you'll need a source of funds to pay costs not covered by grants, scholarships, or federal aid.

How do I apply for an education loan with ACPE?

To keep borrowing costs as low as possible, always exhaust all federal and free aid before taking out an education loan. ACPE strongly recommends you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your financial aid package.

You can take out a no-fee ACPE education loan to cover the remaining cost of attendance expenses not met by grants, scholarships, or federal aid. Start by submitting your ACPE loan application and receive an instant credit decision!

What is a promissory note and how does it work?

A promissory note is the contract between you and the lender. By signing it you agree to the terms and conditions under which you are borrowing.

When will my loans be disbursed?

Disbursements are scheduled based on your school’s designated disbursement dates for each term of enrollment. Disbursements will be sent directly to your school’s financial aid office prior to the start date of the enrollment period.

If you are applying for an Alaska Education Refinance Loan, funds are sent directly to your lenders to pay off the underlying loans you included in your refinancing loan application.

How long does it take for a loan application to be processed?

There are many factors that contribute to your application’s processing time. In general, it can take 1-2 weeks to complete. Your school must certify your enrollment and costs of attendance as part of the application process. Most schools complete this within 3-5 business days; however, there may be delays depending on the time of year and when you submit your application.

Are payments required while I am enrolled in school?

For general information about loan repayment, please review the Repayment section of the Funding Solutions page menu. 

  Alaska Supplemental Education Loan Program – During the loan application process, you will be asked to choose either full deferment or immediate repayment (flat payment). Your selection will determine when you enter repayment and are required to begin making payments.

• Full Deferment – You make no payments while enrolled in school and during the grace period. Regular principal and interest payments begin when you drop below a half-time status; withdraw from school or graduate, whichever is sooner. You can choose to make payments anytime without penalty to reduce your overall costs but it is not required.
• Immediate Repayment (Flat Payment) – You pay low fixed monthly payments of $20 per loan while enrolled in school and during the grace period. In-school payments begin upon first disbursement. Regular principal and interest payments will be due after you leave school or drop below a half-time status. You can always make higher monthly payments or extra payments anytime without penalty.

Alaska Family Education Loan Program – The Alaska Family Education Loan is a low-cost option for families to help cover education costs and includes an immediate repayment plan. Family members begin making full principal and interest payments while the student is enrolled full-time in school. Payments begin upon final disbursement of the loan and continue until the loan is paid in full. Monthly installments of at least $20 is required; however, payments can be as much as $500 depending on the total amount borrowed.

Can I change my loan repayment type anytime?

The repayment type associated with your loan cannot be changed. If you select Immediate Repayment under the Alaska Supplemental Education Loan program, you are required to make the flat payments of $20 monthly.

What if I am unable to make the required payments under the Immediate Repayment plan?

The Immediate Repayment plan offers the lowest interest rate, which saves you money on interest and keeps your borrowing costs as low as possible. Low monthly payments of $20 are required under this plan. Failure to make the required payments can result in negative consequences including negative credit reporting, default and possible transfer to a collection agency. If you default on your loan, you may jeopardize your ability to get future loans.

Am I eligible for deferment or forbearance under the Immediate Repayment plan?

Under the Immediate Repayment plan, no deferment or forbearance options are available during the in-school period. Once you transition into standard repayment, options may be available under certain conditions. Contact your servicer for more information.

What will my payments be when I enter repayment?

The minimum monthly payment is at least $20.00 and is based on the amount of your debt, interest rate and the allowable repayment period (how long you have to repay the debt). When a loan is awarded, you will be presented with a Loan Approval Disclosure that provides an estimated payment. There are no prepayment penalties if you choose to pay more than the required amount.

The Alaska Refinance Loan has a minimum monthly payment of at least $100.00 but is based on the amount to repay the loan within the repayment period. Payments can be as much as $500.00 or greater depending on the total amount borrowed.

FinAid.org offers a variety of financial tools to help you manage your college expenses and education loans. Specifically, there is a loan payment calculator that calculates estimated monthly payment.

Is it possible to stop payments if I'm unemployed or experiencing financial difficulties?

If you are having trouble making payments on your education loans, your servicer may be able to help. Whether you have federal or alternative education loans, there are a variety of repayment options available to assist you during financial difficulty. Read more about deferment and forbearance on our Loan Repayment page.

Don't wait until your account becomes delinquent or in defaults. If you are unable to make a payment, contact AES, ACPE's trusted loan servicer, as soon as possible to discuss options that could adjust your repayment schedule and lower, or even postpone, your monthly payments.

Can I defer payments while in school?

Student deferments are available on Alaska Education Loans based on qualifying enrollment. Less than full-time enrollment may not defer full-time loans awarded after July 1, 2015. Be sure to notify AES, ACPE's trusted loan servicer, any time your enrollment status changes. If you default, you are no longer eligible for deferments.

Student deferments are not available for the Alaska Refinance Loan and the Family Education Loan.

If you choose Immediate Repayment (Flat Payment) during the application process, student deferments will not be available while you are in school.

How do I know if my school is eligible to receive funding from ACPE?

In order to receive funding from ACPE, schools must be either:

• An institution that is eligible to receive Title IV aid, such as Pell Grants or Direct Loans (as determined by the U.S. Dept. of Education)
• An institution that has been approved by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education to participate in ACPE loan programs.

It is important to know that some schools, such as community colleges, may be Title IV eligible, but may not elect to receive loans from non-federal lenders. Please check with your school's financial aid office verify that they accept non-federal loans before submitting your application to ACPE. For a list of Alaska schools that have been approved to participate in ACPE loan programs, visit Alaska-Postsecondary-Institutions.

Do I need to go to school in Alaska?

No. As long as you're an Alaska resident, you can qualify for an Alaska Education Loan for attendance at a qualifying institution outside the state.

Do I need to be an Alaska resident?

If you are applying for an Alaska Supplemental Education Loan and are attending a participating school physically located in Alaska, you do not need to be an Alaska resident.

If you plan to attend a school outside of Alaska, and use the Alaska Supplemental Education Loan, you must be a resident of Alaska.

If you are applying for a Family Education Loan, you must be a resident of Alaska.

If you are applying for an Alaska Refinance Loan, the primary borrower must be an Alaska resident or

• Be a previous borrower, cosigner or beneficiary of an education loan with ACPE or
• Be a graduate of a high school or postsecondary institution physically located in Alaska

Cosigners for an Alaska Refinance Loan are not required to be a resident of Alaska.

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a number derived from information in your national credit bureau file, it represents the likelihood that you will be able to repay a loan as required. A credit score does not consider employment or income. Your credit score is based on your previous repayment history, the relationship between available credit and your repayment obligations.

ACPE uses a FICO score, Factual Data. A FICO score is a proprietary credit score, developed by Fair Isaac Company (FICO). FICO scores range from 300-850, the higher the score the better. Read more about credit scores by visiting the Resource Library page.

What if I don't have a credit history?

If you don't have a credit history, you can apply with a cosigner who meets the credit history requirement.

What is a cosigner?

Please refer to the Cosign a Loan section of the Funding Solutions page menu for information about Cosigning a loan.

How much can I borrow?

Amounts vary by enrollment status and degree/certificate program. Please see the Loan Limits section on the Funding Solutions page menu for more details about loan limits.

What is default?

Default occurs when you fail to make a series of scheduled minimum monthly payments on your education loan account. Defaulting on your education loan has serious consequences and may begin when a loan becomes 180 days past due. Default and delinquency cause long-term damage to your credit record.

What happens if I default on my loan?

If you default on your loan, any or all of the following may happen:

• The entire loan balance (principal and interest) becomes immediately due and payable
• You will lose your deferment options
• Your loan(s) status will be reported to national credit bureaus, including delinquency and default
• Your Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) may be garnished and applied to your loan(s)
• Your wages may be garnished to repay your loan(s)
• You may lose eligibility to obtain educational aid in the future
• Your school may withhold copies of your transcripts
• Your account may be referred to the loan guarantor for additional collection action, which may include income tax garnishment, being sued for the balance of your loan and other collection type activities.
• Your account may be referred to a collection agency and you may be charged collection fees

How can I avoid default

Don't wait until your account becomes delinquent or in default. If you are unable to make a payment, contact AES, ACPE's trusted loan servicer, as soon as possible to discuss options to adjust your repayment schedule and lower, or even postpone your monthly payments.

• Read the terms of your promissory note carefully to know your obligations and options
• Track the status of your loans online at aesSuccess.org
• Read and respond to any correspondence you receive from ACPE and/or AES
• Notify AES if you change your address or phone number
• Notify AES if you leave or return to school
• Contact AES immediately if you are unable to make your scheduled monthly payment
• Learn about and use the deferment, forbearance or repayment plans available to you
• Ask questions.  The more you learn about your student loans, the more successful you will be in repayment.