Loans are often a component of a financial aid award and are one way students and families can chose to finance a Gettysburg education.
Find out about other financing options available to families at Gettysburg, including an interest-free monthly payment plan. The Office of Financial Aid can answer any questions about loans and financing options at Gettysburg. Sample student loan repayment information.
Federal Direct Loans
Filing a FAFSA is required to be considered for Federal loans
- Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loans -subsidized (need-based) and unsubsidized (non need-based)
- Direct PLUS (Parent) Loans – non need-based
Gettysburg College Institutional Loans
Gettysburg College has five Institutional Loan programs designed to assist qualified students with paying for the cost of education. These loan funds are part of the Financial Aid process and are awarded to eligible students based upon financial need. Details are provided with financial aid awards to eligible students each year.
Keeping Track of Loan Information
Applicants and Accepted Students
First-year applicants can confirm the receipt of their financial aid materials by Slate (our online application checklist).
Current Students Current students can access financial aid information online via Student Center. Enter your user ID and password and select Sign In.
Institutions are required to submitted data related to Federal Direct and PLUS Loans to NSLDS. This information will also be accessible by loan servicers, guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions that are determined to be authorized users of the data system. You can log into My AID at https://studentaid.gov/ to see your Federal loan information.
Loan Repayment Information and Calculators
Review various monthly student loan payment amounts or use this simple tool from YouCanDealWithIt to estimate the monthly repayment obligations for any type of student or parent loan. Review their helpful tips on the responsibilities of smart student loan borrowing.
Also, check out the personalized Loan Simulator via studentloans.gov which will connect your Federal loan history.
Federal Direct Student Loan Information
Direct Subsidized Loan– interest paid by the government while students are enrolled at least half-time.
Direct Unsubsidized Loan– interest accrues during the in-school period.
- Federal Direct Student Loan Instructions
- If you wish to decline or reduce the amount of the Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan listed on your financial aid notification, please indicate your requested change(s) by emailing finaidloans@gettysburg.edu.
- First-time borrowers: Complete Entrance Counseling and a Loan Agreement (MPN) at https://studentaid.gov
*do not complete Financial Awareness Counseling* - Graduating Seniors: Complete Exit Counseling at https://studentaid.gov
Federal Direct Student Loan Eligibility Amounts
| Grade Level |
Base Direct Loan Amount (Subsidized or Unsubsidized) |
Additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year | $3,500 | $2,000 |
| Sophomore | $4,500 | $2,000 |
| Junior or Senior | $5,500 | $2,000 |
Independent students and students whose parents are unable to obtain a Plus Loan are eligible for additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan funds.
Gettysburg College Institutional Loan Information
Gettysburg College Loans include Nafey, Powers, Pape and Anderson Loans.Note: College Loans are managed by Gettysburg's Student Accounts Office
- Gettysburg College Loan Instructions will be provide by email through the loan servicer ECSI.
Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan
A parent or step-parent may choose to borrow through this government sponsored program as one way to finance college costs.
- Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan Information
- Complete a PLUS application or Loan Agreement (MPN) at https://studentaid.gov
Federal Grant Programs
Before applying for a loan, Gettysburg College wants to be sure you are aware of all federal grant programs that may be available to help meet your educational expenses. These grants are awarded based upon financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
Listed below are the federal programs at Gettysburg College and the maximum amounts available for the 2021–22 academic year.
- Federal Pell Grant- $6,495
- Federal FSEOG Grant- $1,500
Many states also have grant or scholarship programs. Check with your state agency as to the availability of such funds.
States that have most recently made grant awards to students attending Gettysburg College are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Alternative Educational Loans
Alternative Loans (sometimes referred to as private loans) are available through various lending institutions and are not guaranteed by the federal government. Some families chose to utilize alternative educational loans after all other resources have been exhausted.
To get started, use a search engine on the web to look for “alternative education loans.” Eligibility is based on the creditworthiness of the borrower or co-signer.
Graduating from Gettysburg?
Students who borrow through the Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Program at any time during their enrollment at Gettysburg must complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling prior to graduation (or after dropping to less than half-time enrollment).
Attend a Student Loan 101 Session or contact your financial aid counselor.
Other useful information
- Find out about federal student loan repayment options at https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans
- Learn about loan servicers at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
Consolidating Loans
Recent Gettysburg graduates and parents should investigate if they are eligible to consolidate (combine) their educational loans, resulting in one loan and a single monthly payment instead of multiple payments.
For graduates who intend to pursue careers with lower salaries, such as careers in public service, we recommend investigating if an Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan or Income-Based Repayment (ICB) Plan would be appropriate. Talk to your student loan provider about your repayment options. More information.