KeystoneBEST

KeystoneBEST is Pennsylvania's preferred Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

AES' Keystone Family of Educational Loans has been the cornerstone of student aid packages for millions of Pennsylvania students since 2001. Hundreds of lenders remain committed to this private-public partnership which provides affordable loans to students that may not be able to access funding otherwise. KeystoneBEST offers access, choice, and service.

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Eligibility

Special KeystoneBEST Stafford loan requirements:

  • Be a Pennsylvania resident attending any accredited school (regardless of location) or
  • Be an out-of-state resident attending an accredited school in Pennsylvania

You also must meet general Stafford loan eligibility requirements.

Features & Terms

Who Pays

  • The student repays the loan.
  • No payments are required while you attend school at least half-time.

Interest Rates

  • All federal Stafford loans disbursed on/after July 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009, will be fixed at 6.8% with the exception of the undergraduate subsidized Stafford which will be fixed at 6%.

Interest Payments

  • Subsidized loans - the federal government pays the interest while you are in school, during your grace period or during any deferment period.
  • Unsubsidized loans - you are responsible for interest payments and can choose to pay them while in school or have them added to the principal balance.

Fees

  • Origination fees will not exceed 1%.
  • Federal default fee will not exceed 1%.

Grace Period

  • A 6-month grace period begins when you leave school, graduate or drop below half-time enrollment.

Repayment

  • Take 10 years to pay - longer with flexible repayment options.
  • No penalties for paying your loan off early.

Loan Management

Annual Loan Limits

Dependent Undergraduates
(Exclusive of students whose parents are unable to borrow under the PLUS program)
Subsidized Total (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
First Year $3,500 $5,500
Second Year $4,500 $6,500
Third year and beyond $5,500 $7,500
Aggregate Limits $23,000 $31,000
Independent* Undergraduates
(And dependent students whose parents are unable to borrow under the PLUS program)
Subsidized Total (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
First Year $3,500 $9,500
Second Year $4,500 $10,500
Third year and beyond $5,500 $12,500
Aggregate Limits $23,000 $57,500
Independent* Graduate and Professional Students Subsidized Total (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
Graduate and professional students $8,500 $20,500
Aggregate Limits $65,500 $138,500

* Find out if you are an independent student.

These annual loan limits apply to loans disbursed on/after July 1, 2008.

  • Certain health profession students may qualify for higher limits.
  • Undergraduate annual loan limits are subject to proration.
  • The most that a student can borrow in subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans annually is equal to the student's cost of attendance minus other estimated financial assistance, without going over the maximum amounts permitted for the student's academic level. Learn more about subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

Apply for this Loan

  • No co-signer is required.
  • No credit check is required.

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