VSAC Advantage Loan – 2009-2010 Academic Year
For Loans Approved by 2/12/10*
Need additional financing? VSAC has options.
Students should always start with a federal Stafford loan. For undergraduate students who need additional financing beyond the Stafford loan limit, VSAC strongly recommends that families consider a parent PLUS loan rather than a private loan in the student’s name.
If the Parent or Grad PLUS loan is not an option, VSAC offers a competitively priced private loan to undergraduate and graduate/professional students with a credit approved cosigner. Always consider grants, scholarships and federal loans before applying for a VSAC Advantage loan.
*Funds for VSAC private loans are limited. All funds could be expended before 2/12/10. VSAC cannot guarantee availability of funds until final loan approval.
The VSAC Difference!
- Competitive Interest Rates & Fees – VSAC is committed to providing the lowest-cost education loans possible.
- Flexible Repayment Terms – Extended repayment periods available; no payments due until 6 months after you graduate or are enrolled less than half-time.
- Unparalleled Customer Service – Helpful, friendly, accessible; personalized service to meet your needs.
- Convenient Online Services – Credit pre-approval, account access, loan payments.
GET THE FACTS
Financial Aid Officers – Certification and Disbursement Information
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for a VSAC loan, you must be one of the following:- a Vermonter, or
- borrowing for attendance at a Vermont school, or
- an existing VSAC borrower
- applying with a credit-approved cosigner
- an undergraduate or graduate/professional student
- eligible for federal student aid (have you completed the FAFSA?)
- borrowing your maximum Stafford loan
- enrolled/enrolling at least half-time at an eligible postsecondary school
HOW TO APPLY
-
Indicate that VSAC is your Lender
When you accept your school’s financial aid award package, indicate that you will be borrowing a VSAC private loan (VSAC Lender Code: 830075).TIP: Use the financial aid award package to determine how much to borrow. You are eligible to borrow up to the total cost of your education less any financial aid. However, only borrow what you need and what you will comfortably be able to repay.
- VSAC Advantage loans require a credit eligible cosigner. Your cosigner can contact VSAC for a credit pre-approval by calling us at 800-226-1029 or 802-655-4050 and to request an application. Your cosigner's credit must be pre-approved by 1/29/10.
- Both you and your cosigner must complete an application:
- You may also obtain an application by contacting us at info@vsac.org or by calling us at 800-226-1029 or 802-655-4050.
- Mail your completed cosigner and borrower applications to:
- VSAC
- PO Box 999
- Winooski VT 05404
- PO Box 999
- VSAC
- VSAC must receive your completed original applications by 1/29/10. We will notify you of your application status once we receive completed credit agreements/applications from both you and your cosigner.
INTEREST RATES & FEES
| Credit Criteria | Cosigner Required |
Current Interest Rate* (Effective 1/10-3/10) |
Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| with Cosigner who meets Exceptional credit criteria | Yes | 4.52% | 0% |
| with Cosigner who meets Excellent credit criteria | Yes | 5.52% | 0% |
| with Cosigner who meets Better credit criteria | Yes | 6.27% | 2% Origination Fee |
| with Cosigner who meets Good credit criteria | Yes | 7.02% | 3% Origination Fee |
| with Cosigner who meets Satisfactory credit criteria | Yes | 7.52% | 5% Origination Fee |
* Interest rates are variable; updated quarterly and determined using the average of the three-month LIBOR rate (London Inter-bank Offered Rate), plus a margin. There is no maximum rate. Rates shown are effective 1/10–3/10 and the LIBOR for this period is 0.27%.
LOAN AMOUNTS
Minimum: $200
Maximum: Up to the cost of your education, less any other aid, as determined by your financial aid office.
REPAYMENT
- No payments due until six months after you graduate or are enrolled less than half-time. Notification will be sent to you prior to your first due date.
- Payments are due each month on the same day.
- The standard repayment period is 15 years; you may extend your repayment period up to 30 years.
- There are no prepayment penalties.
- Temporary payment postponement and reduced payment options available.
APR & REPAYMENT EXAMPLE
| Credit Criteria | Fee | Interest Rate | APR | Finance Charge |
Payment Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| With cosigner who meets Exceptional credit criteria |
0% | LIBOR+ 4.25% | 4.39% | $6,279.89 | 179 payments of $90.45 Final payment of $89.34 |
| With cosigner who meets Excellent credit criteria |
0% | LIBOR+ 5.25% | 5.32% | $7,976.82 | 179 payments of $99.88 Final payment of $98.30 |
| With cosigner who meets Better credit criteria |
2% | LIBOR+ 6.00% | 6.21% | $9,527.72 | 179 payments of $107.38 Final payment of $106.70 |
| With cosigner who meets Good credit criteria |
3% | LIBOR+ 6.75% | 7.00% | $11,045.41 | 179 payments of $115.27 Final payment of $112.08 |
| With cosigner who meets Satisfactory credit criteria |
5% | LIBOR+ 7.25% | 7.66% | $12,230.92 | 179 payments of $120.73 Final payment of $120.25 |
Assumptions:
- Origination fees, when applicable, are deducted from the loan disbursement(s).
- APR (annual percentage rate) and payment amount examples assume a constant LIBOR, $10,000.00 loan amount, a 50-month interim period prior to repayment, a repayment period of 180 monthly payments. The examples shown are estimates only.
- This is a variable rate loan. APR and interest rates may increase or decrease during the loan term. Rates shown are effective 1/10–3/10 and the LIBOR for this period is 0.27%.
COSIGNER
VSAC requires a credit eligible cosigner for all VSAC Advantage loans.
| You need a cosigner to… | Apply for a VSAC Advantage loan. |
| A cosigner with Exceptional credit will… | Enable you to get the best interest rate and a zero fee loan. |
| Cosigner’s responsibilities are to… | Make payments, including any late or collection fees if the primary borrower is unable to pay. Sign all paperwork along with the primary borrower. |
| As a cosigner expect to… | Receive a bill statement for the loan each month along with the primary borrower. Have the loan’s payment status reported to the national credit bureaus for both you and the primary borrower. |
| Once a cosigner always a cosigner unless… | Cosigner release is available upon request to qualified borrowers; borrowers must meet VSAC’s credit criteria after 48 months of active repayment. |
COMPARE VSAC ADVANTAGE AND FEDERAL PLUS LOANS
A federal PLUS loan has benefits not available with most private education loans. VSAC recommends that you consider borrowing a PLUS loan before any private loan, including the VSAC Advantage loan.
ADDITIONAL FINANCING OPTIONS
Undergraduate Students
Graduate/Professional Students
Interested in exploring additional financing options?
Check out these additional sources of aid.

