How to Apply for a Loan
To apply for a Stafford Loan students must first complete a financial aid application at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There is a question asking you if you are interested in loans. You must answer that you are interested in loans in order for us to determine your loan eligibility. If you did not indicate that you wanted loan, or you weren’t sure if you were interested, the OFA will not determine your eligibility. You may complete an Award Change Request Form (click here) if you have already completed your financial aid application and have now decided that you would like to take out a loan.
Students have the right to borrow from any lender of their choosing through the Family Federal Educational Loan (FFEL) Program for an Undergraduate Stafford loan. To make the process of selecting a lender easier, Cincinnati State has put together a team that includes a loan guarantor (USAFunds), a loan servicer (Sallie Mae), and preferred lenders (see below) that work within our electronic process. The OFA works with these agencies/lenders to ensure good customer service for you, our student. No matter which lender you choose, Cincinnati State will help each eligible student access student loans.
You may click on each of the lenders below to be taken to their website and to review their information in order to assist you in making your decision.
Preferred Lenders
Student Loan Funding
Fifth Third Bank
ED America
Nellie Mae
Sallie Mae Education Trust
SPECIAL NOTE FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS: For our continuing students who have already signed a MPN with a selected lender, you will not have to complete another MPN. Cincinnati State will continue to process your loan from year to year using that same lender you chose, unless you change the lender. However, there are some banks that have been bought or sold, are not doing business with our students, or are leaving the FFELP market altogether. If you have one of the following lenders, you will need to select a new lender and complete another MPN.
Lenders No Longer Lending to Cincinnati State Students*