Financing a Butler Education

Federal Direct PLUS Loans are unsubsidized loans available for credit-worthy parents of dependent students. PLUS Loans may cover educational expenses up to $20,000 per year, minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods, and the lender is the U.S. Department of Education.

• Interest Rates and Origination Fees
  • The fixed interest rate adjusts each year on July 1. Refer to studentaid.gov for updates.
    • For PLUS Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the interest rate is fixed at 8.94 percent.
    • For PLUS Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the interest rate is fixed at 9.08 percent.
  • The origination fee adjusts each year on October 1. Refer to studentaid.gov for updates.
    • For PLUS Loans first disbursed between October 1, 2023, and before September 30, 2025, the origination fee is 4.228 percent.

• Eligibility, Disbursement, and Repayment
  • Families must complete the FAFSA for the corresponding aid year and the parent must apply for the PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov. Note: PLUS loans do not automatically renew; parents must apply for a new PLUS Loan for every academic year.
    • The Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be signed by the parent prior to funds being credited to the student’s account.
    • All borrowers will also be required to complete Loan Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.
  • The Office of Financial Aid will process the PLUS Loan upon notification of credit approval.
  • Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours to be eligible for the loan.
  • Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Deferment options are available while the student is in school.

***Beginning July 1, 2026, the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan will no longer be available to new borrowers. Visit the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) webpage to learn more about the impacts to federal financial aid.

Private Education Loans are based on the borrower’s (and co-borrower’s) credit and financial history. Select a lender based on the terms and benefits you find most appealing as terms, conditions, and interest rates vary with each lender.

• Loan Processing
  • The Office of Financial Aid will process a private loan application after it has been approved by the lender. Until the application is complete and approved by the lender, the Office of Financial Aid is not aware of, nor able to certify eligibility for the loan.
• Required Documents
  • New laws now require students to complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form in order to ensure borrowers understand the risks of private student loans and how to exhaust their federal loan eligibility before borrowing private loans. This form is available through the lender’s website.
  • Students will need to promptly complete and return any disclosures sent to them by their lender.

Primary Private Loan Lenders for the 2026-2027 & 2025-2026 Academic Years

The Preferred Lender List is reviewed annually to ensure lenders continue to meet institutional standards for quality service, competitive terms, and compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations.

Please note: You are not required to borrow from one of the loan programs listed below. Butler will process private loans from any lending institution. The list below was compiled to assist families in their borrowing decisions.

Sallie Mae^® (Lender Code: 900905)
Disclosure Statement for the Sallie Mae Student Loans

Citizens (Lender Code: 700700)
Disclosure Statement for Citizens

Nelnet (Lender Code: 592052)
Disclosure Statement for Nelnet

College Avenue Student Loans (Lender Code: 888111)
Disclosure Statement for College Avenue Student Loans

SoFi (Lender Code: 423587)
Disclosure Statements for SoFi

*Loans are based on the borrower’s (and co-borrower’s, if required) credit and financial history. While Butler University may recommend these programs, approval of any loan will be based on information each lender has obtained and their specific credit criteria.

ELMSelect

Butler University is pleased to offer students and families the opportunity to compare private education loan programs by lender using ELMSelect. This comparison tool assists families with their lender and private loan program selection, and will also help the student and family in better understanding the long term costs of the loan programs being considered.

**Loans without a co-signer may be available for students who meet the eligibility criteria. For more information and to review eligibility, visit ELMSelect.

Choosing the right way to fund your education is a big decision. If you are exploring private loans as an alternative and/or addition to Federal PLUS loans, here are a few things you should look for when comparing lenders.

• Credit Score Health
  • Your credit health is one of the most important factors in the private loan process. A strong credit score not only increases your likelihood of approval but also serves as the primary tool for securing the lowest possible interest rates, potentially saving you thousands over the life of the loan. Using comparison tools like ELMSelect that perform a “soft” credit pull allows you to check rates without damaging your credit score.
• Co-signing a Loan
  • Most undergraduate students do not have the credit history or income to qualify for a private loan alone. A co-signer, most often a parent, though not required to be, is equally responsible for the debt. Choosing a lender with “co-signer release” allows you to remove a cosigner after a set number of on-time payments, which improves your credit and protects theirs.
• Borrowing Wisely
  • Private loans should only be used to bridge the gap between financial aid (Scholarships, Grants, Federal Loans) and the total Cost of Attendance (COA). Early repayment of your loans can help reduce future interest and keep the borrower’s overall debt manageable.
• Interest Capitalization
  • When interest is capitalized, it is added to the principal balance, increasing the total loan amount and potentially raising monthly payments. Be sure you know or learn when your lender will capitalize the interest on your loan. This happens usually after an event like forbearance, deferment, or grace periods.
• Questions to Ask Lenders
  • What is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), not just the interest rate? (The APR includes fees, giving you the “true” cost).
  • Is there a grace period? (Most private loans offer 6 months after graduation before payments start, but interest usually accrues during school).
  • Are there death or disability discharges? (Federal loans are forgiven if a student passes away; not all private lenders offer this).
  • Are there fees or prepayment penalties? (You want a loan you can pay off early without extra fees).
  • Are there any hardship safety nets? (Borrower protections ensure you have options like forbearance or deferment if you face financial difficulty.)

Families may borrow up to the total cost of attendance less the financial aid offered. Learn more about the cost of attendance here.

Loans will be split evenly between the fall and spring semesters. Therefore, families must determine their borrowing needs for the entire academic year.

To ensure funds are processed in time for the upcoming academic year, please submit your application by July 1.

Select the loan program based on the terms and benefits you find most appealing.

Use the same loan program and/or servicer (for private loans) throughout the student’s college career. Borrowers who switch programs and servicers may be required to make payments to multiple lenders.

Use caution when considering lenders or loan programs that market directly to you via mail or email.

The Office of Student Accounts offers a payment plan for the fall and spring semesters which allows students the opportunity to make monthly payments during each semester.

• Click here for payment plan information.
• Sign up at my.butler.edu during the designated enrollment dates.
• Additional information for the Office of Student Accounts is available here.