FAQ
Domestic and international Harvard graduate students are eligible to apply for the Harvard Graduate Loan.
As a domestic student, you may need to provide need one form of government-issued identification. Address verification may also be required as part of the application process. If you are a permanent resident, we will also request a copy of your green card.
If you are an international student, required documentation will include a valid passport, and an I-20, DS-2019, or equivalent enrollment verification document. Other documents may be requested depending on individual circumstances.
The total amount Harvard students can borrow is dependent on the cost of attendance, program loan limit for your school, and the financial aid office’s certification of your loan.
No. A co-signer is not required.
A credit-worthy co-signer that is a U.S Citizen or permanent resident will result in a 0.25% discount on your interest rate.
A co-signer may be released after 48 months of consecutive qualifying on-time payments. A credit check will be required at the time of release.
A credit-worthy U.S Citizen or permanent resident can co-sign an education loan application. By obtaining a co-signer for your loan, you will receive a 0.25% discount on your interest rate.
Your rate will be dependent on which term option you select for your Harvard Graduate Loan. Each domestic and international term option carries its own rate.
You can lower your rate by 0.25% by applying with a qualified co-signer. You can also earn an additional 0.25% interest rate reduction by signing up for automatic recurring payments.
Note: There is no obligation to take the loan once you apply and are approved. We encourage you to apply and evaluate your options before making a final decision.
If your loan has a fixed interest rate, the rate will remain the same for the life of the loan.
If your loan has a variable or hybrid interest rate, the U.S. Prime rate is the index to which an additional margin is added to determine your rate. The variable interest rate is adjusted quarterly if the U.S. Prime Rate changes.
While your education loan is deferred during enrollment, simple interest accrues daily on the principal you borrowed. Depending on when you borrowed your loan, you will receive either a six or nine month grace period. After your grace period, the interest that accrued during enrollment capitalizes, which means it is added to the principal and interest then accrues on the entire balance.
Students may choose full deferment while in school or choose to make payments while enrolled. Depending on when your loan was borrowed, you will officially enter repayment six or nine months after you graduate or drop below half-time status, and your full amortized payment will be due each month.
There is no penalty for early repayment.
All HUECU education loans are serviced by University Accounting Services (UAS). You can read more about UAS, and how to make payments, by visiting HUECU’s Education Loan Repayment webpage.