• Be an Alaska resident
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Be enrolled full-time in a fisheries-related career vocational-technical program or associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree program

Credit Requirements

Have a credit history that documents an ability and willingness to pay an extension of credit, or have an eligible cosigner.  Visit our Understanding Credit page to learn more about credit reports and establishing good credit.

Interest Rate and APR

The Winn Brindle loan has a fixed interest rate of 5% (3.35% APR) in school and in repayment. A “fixed” rate means the base interest rate of 5% will not change; however, it may be reduced by Borrower Benefits while in repayment.

APR stands for the Annual Percentage Rate and is the yearly cost of borrowing your loan, shown as a percent of the amount you borrowed. The APR referenced above is an example only and assumes a principal loan amount of $10,000, borrowed in the freshman year, with repayment beginning after a six-month grace period for a 10-year term. The interest rate and APR do not factor in any borrower benefit reductions. 

Fees

There are no origination or prepayment fees on the Winn Brindle loan.  

Do the Paperwork

1. Complete an application
2. Add a cosigner if you don't have a qualifying credit history
3. Sign your loan documents and mail them to us

Accepting Your Award

Once your Winn Brindle loan is approved, we will send you a loan application disclosure. You must accept the disclosure before the funds can be disbursed to your school. The quickest way to review the disclosure and accept your loan is to complete the process electronically through your online account.

Disbursement

After you accept your loan application disclosure, your Winn Brindle funds will be sent directly to your school's financial aid office, in accordance with their scheduled financial aid disbursement dates.

Repayment

Repayment begins six months after you stop attending school full-time. The standard repayment period is ten years. Your monthly payment will be based on your total debt, subject to a minimum payment of $50.00 a month. Learn more about repayment plans, payment methods, and repayment assistance.

Forgiveness

You may be eligible for forgiveness benefits, up to 50% of the loan's principal balance over a five-year period, if after graduation you are employed full-time in a fisheries field related to your degree.

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and an Alaska resident for at least two consecutive years at the time of application in order to obtain residency certification.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Be accepted to the WWAMI Medical Education Program

How are new participants selected for participation in the WWAMI program?

Each year the Alaska WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) and the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) Admissions Committees work together to interview and select 20 Alaskans for the program. The Alaska WWAMI office at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) certifies an applicant's eligibility for the program based on responses to an Eligibility Questionnaire. Once an Alaska applicant is admitted, ACPE is prompted to send the individual the WWAMI  Master Promissory Note (MPN) and a related cover letter. Individuals who accept the offers of admission must sign the MPN and return it to ACPE prior to beginning their program of study.

Interest Rate, APR, and Fees

The WWAMI loan has a fixed interest rate of 5.00% (3.35% APR) in-school and in repayment. This means the base interest rate of 5.00% is not subject to change.

What is APR?

APR stands for the Annual Percentage Rate and is the yearly cost of borrowing your loan, shown as a percent of the amount you borrowed. The APR referenced above is only an example and assumes a principal loan amount of $10,000, for a 4-year student with repayment beginning after a six-month grace period. The loan repayment term is 15 years.

Fees

There are no origination or prepayment fees on the WWAMI loan.

Whom should Alaskans contact if they are interested in information about the WWAMI program?

Students interested in entering medical, school may schedule a meeting for pre-health professions guidance through the WWAMI School of Medical Education at UAA by contacting the Pre-Health Guidance Coordinator:

Alida van Almelo
Pre-Health Professions Guidance Coordinator
UAA WWAMI School of Medical Education
3211 Providence Drive, HSB 301
Anchorage, AK 99508
Email: arvanalmelo@alaska.edu 

Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss course schedules, preparation for entrance exams, completion of applications, coordination of letters of recommendation, and other topics applicable to the development of a suitable undergraduate program and effective applications to professional schools.

For more information, visit the Health Professions Advising website.

How to Apply

1. Apply to the WWAMI Program at the University of Washington School of Medicine. For more information on eligibility requirements and the application process, visit the WWAMI website
2. Complete a WWAMI Promissory Note with ACPE
3. You're done!

What is my financial obligation for the WWAMI Program?

A participant's loan obligation is equal to 50% of the annual support fee paid by the state, plus interest. During the first year of medical school, the principal balance of the WWAMI loan will be zero. By signing the WWAMI Medical Education Loan Program MPN, participants will have a repayment obligation for their second, third and fourth years of medical school support fees. An annual Notification of Award letter is sent to each participant advising them of the amount of their financial obligation for the related program year.

How does the service obligation discharge a WWAMI participant's financial obligation?

The participant who successfully completes the graduate education program for which the financial support was provided and is employed within Alaska in a qualifying medical residency program or other qualifying professional medical practice and who is otherwise qualified may have the outstanding principal1 and accrued interest forgiven and considered a grant in accordance with the following percentages:

A. for employment in rural areas of the state, up to three years of employment, 33.33% for each year;

B. for employment in areas of the state that do not qualify under the program definition as rural, up to five years of employment, 20% for each year

Participants employed as physicians in the state must immediately notify ACPE of the date their qualifying employment began. ACPE will make available to the participant the necessary forms for documenting completion of each annual period of documented employment until the obligation is fully discharged.

For More Information, see WWAMI Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and an Alaska resident
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Enroll at an eligible PSEP institution in one of the following fields of study: Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physician's Assistant, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy

Credit Requirements

To qualify for the PSEP, you must have a credit history that documents an ability and willingness to pay an extension of credit, or have an eligible cosigner. Visit our Understanding Credit page to learn more about credit reports and establishing good credit.

Interest Rate, APR, and Fees

The PSEP has a fixed interest rate of 6.90% (6.59% APR) in-school and in repayment. A "fixed" rate means the base interest rate will not change; however, it may be reduced by Borrower Benefits while in repayment.

What is APR?

APR stands for the Annual Percentage Rate and is the yearly cost of borrowing your loan, shown as a percent of the amount you borrowed. The APR referenced above assumes a 4-year student, principal loan amount of $10,000, no origination fee, and a repayment term of 15 years. The interest rate and APR do not factor in any reductions due to borrower benefits

Fees

There are no origination or prepayment fees on the PSEP loan.

Resident Tuition and Support Fee

Alaska students are responsible for paying their school's tuition and the annual support fee to participate in the PSEP. Students generally pay a lower tuition at the institution they attend. Each year, the support fee is covered by ACPE and a loan is created that the student must repay after graduation.

How to Apply

1. Contact ACPE and complete the certification process before October 15 of the year preceding admission
2. Provide a copy of ACPE's certification letter to each PSEP institution to which you apply
3. Send a copy of the institution's acceptance letter to ACPE
4. Complete the promissory note and send it back to ACPE
5. You're done!

Disbursement

Upon receipt of the institution's acceptance letter, ACPE will send the PSEP Master Promissory Note for completion. Your funds will be sent directly to your school's financial aid office, in accordance with their scheduled financial aid disbursement dates and procedures.

Repayment

Repayment begins six months after you stop attending school at least half time. The standard repayment period is ten years. Your monthly payment will be based on your total debt, subject to a minimum payment of $50.00 a month. 

How can you keep loan costs low?

• Develop a budget and pay bills on time
• Prepay your loan before while in a non-payment status, such as in school or in grace
• Choose a repayment plan and payment method that's right for your situation