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Alternative Financing Options - Columbus State University

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Office of Financial Aid

Alternative Financing Options

First things first - if you are federal student aid eligible and you have not completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - get to it! Make sure you're taking advantage of all federal loans and grants before pursuing other loan types.

Parent PLUS Loan (For Dependent Students Only)

Please click the link provided above for full details on this loan option. PLUS Loan funding is through the Department of Education. Your parent will need to complete the separate Parent PLUS Loan application. A credit check is required. If your parent is denied for this loan, there may be additional student loan funding available for you. You must also have a FAFSA on file to receive this loan.

Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan


Graduate PLUS Loan

Please click the link provided above for full details on this loan option. This is only available for students enrolled in eligible Graduate Degree programs. Grad PLUS Loan funding is through the Department of Education. You will need to complete the separate Grad PLUS Loan application. A credit check is required. You must also have a FAFSA on file to receive this loan.

Apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan


Payment Plans

If you would like to break up your balance into interest-free monthly payments, check out payment plan options through the Office of Student Accounts - act fast and be aware of deadlines! Please review the link below for additional information.

Information About Payment Plans


Private Student Loans

Private Student Loans are also a good way to meet your costs. You will need to apply separately with the lender you choose. These are primarily student borrowed and you can be eligible if you are enrolled on a less than half time basis, depending on your lender's terms. (Half-time for undergrads is 6 credits, half-time for graduate students is 5 credits.) Be sure to check with your lender regarding any requirements that they have. You can review some lender options and terms on ELM Select.

Apply for a Private Student Loan


Rothschild Emergency Loan

The Emergency Loan Application for Spring 2024 has closed.

The Rothschild Emergency Loan is a short-term, one-semester loan administered by the CSU Financial Aid and Office of Student Accountss. Students may borrow up to $3,442.00 each semester, which can be applied toward CSU tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meal plan. The amount of the loan cannot exceed the unpaid balance of institutional charges. The loan must be repaid in full during the semester, by the last payment date listed on the Emergency Loan application.

Contingent upon available funding, students seeking the Rothschild Emergency Loan must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Undergraduate cumulative grade-point-average >= 2.0; Graduate cumulative grade-point-average >= 3.0.
  • Exhausted all eligible funding options, including federal, state, and institutional financial aid as well as the Nelnet Payment Plan
  • Minimum loan amount = $285; Maximum loan amount = $3,442.00
  • Students with balances greater than $3,442.00 will not be eligible for any amount.
  • Student cannot have any history of late/delinquent payments on a previously-received Emergency Loan at CSU
  • Student must not have active holds for any university financial obligations on their account (i.e., library fines, parking fine, housing damage charges, etc).
  • A $45.00 processing fee will be charged at the time the loan is applied to the current semester balance.
  • Loan repayment occurs in three installments, due on or before the following dates:
    • February 1, 2024
    • March 1, 2024
    • April 1, 2024

Please read all information provided on the Rothschild Emergency Loan application prior to submitting. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. The application deadline is 5:00 pm, Friday, January 12, 2024.

A submitted application does not guarantee approval for the Rothschild Emergency Loan. Approved recipients will be notified by Tuesday, January 16th. Applicants should continue pursuing other funding opportunities until they receive notification of their Emergency Loan approval status.

Ask Cody

Ask Cody