Find Low-Cost Federal Loans through Arkansas State Government

Financial Aid Begins in Your Own Backyard

Start your search for college student loans with those offered directly through your home state—Arkansas. Many state governments sanction higher education agencies that administer low-cost federal, state and private loans. In most cases these loans make better choices.

The Arkansas Student Loan Authority, or ASLA, does just this—delivers a specially packaged set of the Federal Family Education Loans and, depending upon the credit markets, may also offer a select number of alternative or private loans.

When you go shopping for student loans you must first make a pitch for the federal loans, the Stafford the most well-known of these. So complete the FAFSA each and every year.

What ensures you get an affordable loan? ASLA maintains a partnership with lenders committed to ensuring you get the best deal in federal loans.

Arkansas Federal Student Loans

  • The Stafford Loan is by far THE most disbursed student loan and it comes in a subsidized and unsubsidized format. Biggest mistake students and parents make when planning for college financial aid is assuming they won’t qualify for federal aid, so no need to fill out the FAFSA. Truth is that most of the time those same students would be more than qualified for some aid. True, you may not get all of your education covered, but every little bit helps.
  • The Parent PLUS Loan was designed to provide Arkansas parents of undergraduate students an affordable way to help cover the balance of their educational costs. Once you’ve been awarded all your Stafford Loan aid, parents may apply for a loan award up to the remaining balance due on costs.
  • PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students is a fairly recent addition to the FFEL program and fills an important financial need niche. If you’re a grad or professional student and maxxed out on your Stafford Loans then this is the next level of federal aid.
  • The Arkansas EdLoan is subject to temporary suspensions completely dependent on current credit markets. This valuable loan was designed to offer aid and incentive to students pursuing study in fields in high-need areas: healthcare, teaching, and law enforcement.

For more information on applying for Arkansas student loans, visit ASLA’s website.