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Applying for a Student Loan
With Navy Federal Student Loans, we're here to help you borrow what you need to bridge the gap when federal loans, scholarships and grants aren't enough. Follow these steps to see if you're eligible and what you'll need to apply.
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Step 1
Determine eligibility and complete your application.
To apply for a student loan with us, you must be a:
- member of Navy Federal Credit Union
- current or future student at an eligible school (list of eligible schools is on the first page of the application)
- U.S. citizen or legalresident
- legal adult in the state in which you reside (age 18 in most states)
Once you determine if you’re eligible, have the following information ready to apply online:
Personal information
- Name, date of birth and Social Security Number
- Permanent address, phone number and email address
- Annual income, if applicable
Academic information
- Enrollment status (full- or part-time)
- Class standing, major and GPA (not required for freshman)
- Degree pursuing, expected graduation date and academic period you're requesting a loan for
- Loan amount you’re requesting—make sure to include all education-related expenses you'll need covered, such as tuition and fees, housing costs, textbooks and supplies, transportation and food costs.1
Tip: Keep your bank account info handy as well. If you set up automatic payments for your student loan, you’ll receive a 0.25% reduction in your rate.2
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Step 2
Add a co-signer, if needed.
If you don’t have an income of at least $15,000 a year or if you have a limited credit history (typically less than 36 months), adding a creditworthy co-signermay be a good idea. Having a co-signer on your loan can:
- increase the chance of loan approval
- help lower the interest rate on the loan
In fact, 9 out of 10 Navy Federal student borrowers have a co-signer. At Navy Federal, borrowers can even request to release co-signers after 24 consecutive, on-time principal and interestpayments.3
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Step 3
Provide final documentation.
Before you’re done, you and your co-signer (if applicable) may need to submit a few more documents to:
- verify your identity
- show proof of income
- validate tuition and the amount of financial assistance requested
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Step 4
Sign your loan agreement and start the certification process.
Once you’re conditionally approved, you’ll need to electronically sign your loan agreement so we can send a certification request to your school’s financial aid office. They’ll verify your enrollment status, academic progress and financial aid package. Schools have their own processes and timelines, so certification could take up to a few weeks.
Tip: Check with your school’s financial aid office to ensure you have completed all of your student loan paperwork.
After your school certifies, we’ll email you to confirm if you’re fully approved, and request that you review and accept your disclosures. We’ll then send your certified loan amount directly to your school.
If you’re not approved, you may reapply with a co-signer or apply again after improving your credit.
Ready to get started? It only takes minutes to apply.
Need to Talk?
Contact a loan specialist today at our student loan center, powered by LendKey. 1-877-304-9302, M-F, 8 am - 8 pm ET or navyfederal@lendkey.com.
What Do You Get With a Navy Federal Private Student Loan?
It’s our mission to help you achieve your goals. With guidance from experts and career assistance, we’re here every step of the way. You’ll also have access to online tools such as:
- job searches
- interviewing tips
- job tracking dashboard
- resume builder
Why Choose Navy Federal?
Once you become a member, you’re part of our family. We’re dedicated to providing you all the support you need to reach your financial goals along with the banking experience you deserve.
Join Today
Are there any application fees or discounts with Navy Federal Student Loans?
Navy Federal private student loans don't have any origination or application fees. And, if you're looking for ways to save, you can sign up for automatic payments and get a 0.25% discount off your interest rate.2
What determines if I’m approved for a student loan?
Private student loan requirements are different than federal student loan requirements. Unlike federal loans, to get approved, you’ll need to meet the criteria for credit and income, or apply with a co-signer who can. You'll also need to be enrolled in an eligible school and attend at least half-time or full-time.
Will the loan funds be sent to me or the school?
Loan funds are disbursed directly to your institution. The school will then apply those funds directly to your outstanding tuition balance. If there are leftover funds after the school applies the loan to your outstanding balance, the remainder may be refunded in accordance with your school’s refund policy.
Still have questions? Visit our Student Loans FAQs.
1
Navy Federal private student loans are subject to credit qualification, school certification of loan amount, and student's enrollment at a Navy Federal-participating school. Navy Federal reserves the right to approve a lower amount than the school-certified amount or withhold funding if the school does not certify private student loans.
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2
Automatic Payments Discount: The discount requires continued enrollment of automatic payments. The borrower authorizes automatic payments from a personal account via Automated Clearing House (ACH). If automatic payments are canceled at any time after enrollment, the rate reduction will not apply until the automatic payments are reinstated. Automatic payments may be suspended during periods of forbearance and deferment. For variable-rate loans, the APR, including the 0.25% rate reduction, may not fall below the floor rate.
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3
Subject to Navy Federal Credit Union approval. A request to release a co-signer requires that the borrower has made consecutive timely payments during the repayment period with no periods of forbearance or deferment. The "repayment period" begins after any In-School and Grace Periods. "Timely payment" means each full principal and interest payment is made no later than the 15th day after the scheduled due date of the payment. "Consecutive payment" means the regularly scheduled monthly payment must be made for 24 months straight for private student loans, and 12 months straight for refinance loans, without any interruption immediately prior to the release request. To qualify for a co-signer release, the borrower must submit a request, meet the consecutive, timely payment requirements, provide proof of income, and pass a credit check.
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