Current Students

Before you apply for a student loan, you first need to complete the FAFSA Application.  Once your Financial Aid Application is complete, the Financial Aid Office will provide you with an Official Award Letter.  Use the Official Award Letter, plus the tools on the Financial Aid website, to apply for your student loans. 

Links to Apply for Student Loans

Federal Direct Loan

There are two types of Federal Direct loans, subsidized and unsubsidized.  There is one application for both types of loans.  Winona State determines your eligibility for each type of loan based on your FAFSA application and the cost of attendance.  

New and returning students must accept the Federal Direct Loan on-line at the WSU Student e-Services registration site.  For step by step instructions please click on Instructions on Applying for a Federal Direct Loan.  If you have any questions about this process please contact the Financial Aid Office. 

Optional Loan Programs

The MN SELF Loan and various Private Educational Loans require a wide range of application materials and processing steps.  Due to the extent of loan processing conducted outside of the University, WSU is not able to ensure when funds will be available for any of the private educational loans including the MN SELF loan.  For step by step instructions please click on Instructions on Applying for an Optional Student Loan.

MN SELF Loan: is a private educational loan through the state of Minnesota.  This loan is open to both Minnesota residents and non-Minnesota residents.  This loan may be used as an optional loan up to the SELF loan limits. 

Private Educational Loans: are student loans offered through private lenders.  Private loans may require a co-signer. 

Federal Parent PLUS Loan: a parent can borrow a Federal loan to help pay for the cost of a dependent's undergraduate education.  The Federal Parent PLUS loan may be used to borrow any Optional Loan Program Limit that may be on your award letter.  Both parent PLUS applicants and graduate and professional degree student PLUS applicants must have a current year FAFSA completed.  If you are denied this loan contact the Financial Aid Office.

Graduate PLUS Loan: an option if you are a graduate student who has exhausted the Federal Direct Loan for the school year.

Other Resources

FAFSA: 1-800-433-3243
IRS: 1-800-829-1040
Perkins Loan: 651-971-4700
MN Office of Higher Education: 1-800-657-3866
Firstmark Services: 1-888-538-7378
Great Lakes Higher Education Corp (GLHEC): 1-800-236-4300
FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA): 1-800-699-2908
Sallie Mae: 1-800-722-1300
Nelnet: 1-888-486-4722