GCUA
Georgia Credit Union Affiliates

The Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) enables students and their parents to obtain low-cost education loans without providing collateral. CUNA Mutual Group supports four types of student loans: Subsidized Federal Stafford, Unsubsidized Federal Stafford, Federal PLUS, and Federal Consolidation Loan Program. These loans are 98% guaranteed by the Government.

FFEL Program Loan Types
  • Subsidized Federal Stafford - These loans are for dependent students whose families must prove financial need. The government pays the interest on the loan for the student while he or she is in school and for six months after leaving school.
  • Unsubsidized Federal Stafford - These loans are available to all students regardless of financial need. The student is responsible for all interest due on the loan from the date it is disbursed. However, interest can be capitalized and repayment deferred until six months after graduating.
  • Federal PLUS - Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students. Federal PLUS loans are not need based, they are funds available to a credit-worthy parent who wishes to assist with the payment of a dependent undergraduate child's education. The federal government does not pay the interest while the student is in school.

Federal Consolidation Loan Program

This program allows a borrower to have a simplified payment process with one lower monthly payment and one payment due date. The borrower has the potential to consolidate as many eligible Title IV loans as you wish – there is no maximum dollar limit on a Federal Consolidation Loan. The interest rate is one fixed rate. Loan Consolidation is free for borrowers.

Credit Union-Funded FFEL - This program includes administrative support, origination services, full life-of-loan servicing and a secondary marketing support. The credit union would have the additional operational responsibilities of approving loans, accounting entries and funding the loans. This program is utilized by credit unions that have a desire to increase their loan-to-share ratio.


For more information, please call GCUA at (770) 476-9625 or (800) 768-4282, or e-mail Lending@gcua.org.

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