Eligibility for Undergraduate, Graduate, or Parent Loans

The PA Forward Student Loan Program is designed for students or parents/guardians of students enrolled/plan to be enrolled at least half-time in a degree, certificate, or diploma granting program. For Parent loans, student must be enrolled at least half-time. 

These loans are meant for:

• PA residents attending an approved school in or out of PA
• Students from an approved state (NY, NJ, DE, MD, OH, VA, and WV) attending an approved PA school
• All borrowers must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States
• Borrowers and/or co-signers who meet the minimum credit requirements

Eligibility for Refinance Loans

The PA Forward Refinance Loan is a loan designed specifically for those who are in repayment and want assistance with managing their student debt. 

This loan is meant for:

• Any PA resident or resident of an approved state (NY, NJ, DE, MD, OH, VA, and WV) who is the borrower for the student loans
• Borrowers who are currently in repayment
• All borrowers must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States
• Borrowers and/or co-signers who meet the minimum credit requirements

Co-signer

The PA Forward Student Loan Program does not require you to have a co-signer unless you have not met the age of majority based on your law of your state of residence or you do not meet the minimum credit requirements; however, you may benefit from a creditworthy co-signer. 

Having a co-signer may increase your chances that the loan will be approved and, perhaps, may get you a better interest rate.