Student loans, ASEL,
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* Application Now Available for Academic Year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022

 

* Rates are for the 2021-2022 academic year. Learn more about how we determine your interest rate – unlike for-profit lenders, we tell you exactly what criteria we will use.

 

Student Loan

Alaska Supplemental
Education Loan (ASEL)

A low-cost loan option for Alaskan students to use for postsecondary education in-state, out-of-state, or for career training program.

 

5.03% – 7.93% APR

(5.25% – 8.50% fixed rate*) 

APPLY NOW  


See 2020-2021 rates here

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Use in-state or out-of-state to make your dreams a reality

Great alternative to private loans and/or federal PLUS loan.

Created by Alaskans, for Alaskans

  • No fees
  • Fixed interest rate
  • No payments while you're at least a half-time student
    •  or, earn an additional discount if you make optional in-school auto-payments

How to Apply

  1. Apply online (or fill out a paper application)
  2. Add a cosigner if you don't have a qualifying credit score
  3. Review your loan terms
  4. Sign your loan documents online or mail them to ACPE
  5. You're done!

    6. Eligibility

    • Be an Alaska resident, or attend an eligible Alaska school
    • Have a FICO credit score of at least 650 and an absence of adverse credit, or apply with an eligible cosigner
    • Be enrolled at least half-time
    • Meet all other requirements under AS 14.43.172 and 20 AAC 15.705

    Accepting Your Award

    Once your ASEL is approved, we will send you a Loan Approval Disclosure (LAD). You must take action and 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 via your online account.


    Disbursement

    After you accept your loan approval disclosure (LAD), your ASEL funds will be sent directly to your school's financial aid office, in accordance with their scheduled financial aid disbursement dates.

Loan Limits

Program
Annual
Aggregate
Undergraduate On-time enrollment - up to $14,000
Full-time enrollment - up to $12,500
Half-time enrollment - up to $7,500 		$56,000
Graduate Full-time enrollment - up to $15,000
Half-time enrollment - up to $7,500 		$60,000
Career Training Vocational - up to $10,000 per certificate program.
Programs must be at least 180 hours over a period of not less than six weeks and result in a terminal certificate.

Flight school - Up to $10,000
Programs must log a minimum of 17 hours per month or 51 hours for a three-month period and result in a terminal certificate.   		$56,000


Note: Aggregate maximums include previous loans that have been paid-in-full, including loans from the Alaska Supplemental Loan Program, Memorial Education Loan Programs, and the Teacher Education Loan Program.
 

Interest Rate, APR, and Fees

The ASEL has a fixed interest rate for both in-school and repayment periods. This means the base interest rate is not subject to change; however, it may be reduced by discounts such as the online Auto-Pay discount. Your interest rate is dependent on your credit score and may be from 5.50% to 8.50% (not considering rate discounts). You will be notified of the interest rate you qualify for during the application process. More about how we set your rate: acpe.alaska.gov/myrate


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 an example and assumes a principal loan amount of $10,000 for a freshman borrower scheduled for graduation in four years with repayment beginning after a six-month grace period.

 

Fees

Unlike other private lenders, there are no origination or prepayment fees on the ASEL.


 

Rate Discounts

► 2021-2022  Rate Discounts: 0.25% Auto-Pay

Auto-Pay Discount: You and your cosigner may be eligible to receive a 0.25% interest rate reduction on your loan by authorizing ACPE 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 $50.00 per loan.

  • Repayment Period – Your loan must be current in repayment, and payments must be a minimum of $5.00.

Credit Requirements

To qualify for the ASEL, you must have a FICO score of at least 650 and an absence of adverse credit or apply with an eligible cosigner. The online application process gives you the opportunity to send an instant request to a potential cosigner if you don't have the required FICO score. A higher credit score may lead to a lower rate. Learn more: acpe.alaska.gov/myrate.

Visit our Understanding Credit page to learn more about FICO scores, credit reports, and establishing good credit.

 

Consider a Cosigner

Borrowers with little or no credit history may have difficulty qualifying for a student loan. ACPE encourages borrowers who do not meet the credit requirements to consider applying for their student loan with a qualified cosigner.

What is a Cosigner?

A cosigner assumes responsibility for the loan if the borrower should fail to repay the loan. A cosigner has an independent responsibility to repay the loan and to notify ACPE in the event of changes affecting the cosigner or the student borrower.

ACPE may notify the cosigner of delinquency in repayment, deferments granted, or any repayment agreement that increases the amount due on the loan. Borrowers may elect to apply with a cosigner to ensure the application is creditworthy. If you elect to apply with a cosigner and the loan is approved, your cosigner will be a responsible party for the loan even if you meet the credit conditions independently.

For more information about a Cosigner click here

Repayment

Repayment begins six months after you drop below a half-time enrollment status, withdraw from school, or graduate, whichever is sooner. 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 even during periods when no payment is due, such as in school or in grace
  • Choose a repayment plan and payment method that's right for your situation
  • Learn more about repayment plans, payment methods, and repayment assistance

Career Training

Alaska education loans can be used at career training institutions in Alaska that are not covered by federal loans. Click here to view where you can use the Alaska Supplemental Education Loan (ASEL) or Family Education Loan (FEL).


Out-of-State

Out-of-state

Alaska residents can use the ASEL to attend postsecondary institutions in Alaska or in the Lower 48. (If you are not an Alaska resident, you still can apply for an Alaska education loan to attend qualifying schools in Alaska.)  Check with your school's financial aid office or contact us if you would like to find out if you can use an Alaska education loan at the school of your choice. Call toll free 800-441-2962 or in Juneau 907-465-2962 or email us at ACPE@alaska.gov.