Visions Credit Union offers student loans to help you fill the funding gaps that federal aid can leave behind. By partnering with other credit unions to form Credit Union Student Choice, we are able to offer members lower cost financing options that will help you or a family member achieve your dream of a higher education.

Our loan product was truly designed with your best interest in mind and offers lower loan rates, zero origination fees, and more flexible repayment options. You can find out more about our student loan product by calling our call center at 800-369-1375 or clicking below to visit our Student Choice information center…learn more.

FFELP offers loans for students and parents.

You know the value of a college education. Getting a college degree is a worthwhile goal. College graduates make an average of one million dollars more than those without college degrees (www.studentloanfacts.org). But the cost of a college education can be overwhelming for both students and parents. That’s why Visions Federal Credit Union offers Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans. If you or another family member plans to attend a university, technical college, or any specialized training program, Visions Federal Credit Union can help you with the funding you need to pursue your dreams.

• Stafford Loans
  • The subsidized Federal Stafford Loan is based on financial need. The government pays the interest while you are in school.
  • The unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan is not based on need but family income is a determining factor. You pay all the interest, although you can have the payments deferred until after graduation.
  
  
  
• PLUS (Parental Loan for Undergraduate Students) Loan
  • Creditworthy parents of dependent undergraduate, graduate and professional students can apply for this loan, which is not based on need.

Just remember our number! 822551 is our Student Loan Lender Code. By entering this code number on your loan applications and promissory notes, the source of your student funding will be your credit union.

Your school may provide you with a list of their preferred lenders. You can choose Visions Federal Credit Union regardless of whether or not we appear on their list. Simply indicate on your Master Promissory Note (MPN) our lender information:

• Lender Name – Visions Federal Credit Union, Endicott, NY 13760
• Lender Code – 822551

Learn more about low-interest federal student loans.

Click here for the Student Loan Quick Reference Guide (please be sure it is the 2006-2007 Quick Plus Reference Guide) for more details on Stafford and PLUS Loans including:

• the application process
• current rates
• loan limits
• toll-free numbers to check the status of your loan account

Just follow the steps below to obtain a federal student loan:

1. Complete a FAFSA
   Before you begin applying for a Stafford and/or PLUS Loan, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It must be completed for each academic year that you request federal aid. FAFSAs for the upcoming academic year are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov on or after January 2. Contact your school for their application deadline.
   
   
2. Receive your SAR
   Once the FAFSA is processed, a Student Aid Report (SAR) is created. If you completed your FAFSA online, allow 1-2 weeks for you and your school to receive the SAR electronically. Paper FAFSAs take 6-8 weeks to process.
   
   
3. Receive your Award Letter
   Your school(s) use data from your SAR to determine your financial aid award for the current academic year and send you an award letter by e-mail or US Mail.
   
   
4. Complete a Stafford Master Promissory Note
   Complete and print the Stafford Master Promissory Note. While you must complete the FAFSA process to apply for aid each academic year, this Master Promissory Note will be used by the credit union to process all of your loans over multiple academic years at the same school. Be sure to indicate your FULL school name (no abbreviations) and school code (if known), city and state in the upper right hand corner of the Master Promissory Note.
   
   
   Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
   Attn: Loan Processing
   P.O. Box 64080
   St. Paul, MN 55164-0080
   
   
5. If Needed, Complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note
   Parents or graduate and professional students can complete and print the Federal PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note. The Plus Loan Master Promissory Note will be used for all of your loans over multiple academic years at the same school. Be sure to indicate your child’s school name (no abbreviations) and school code (if known), city and state in the upper right hand corner of the Master Promissory Note. Return it to the address below so we can complete the processing for you:
   
   
   Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
   Attn: Loan Processing
   P.O. Box 64080
   St. Paul, MN 55164-0080
   
   
6. Your School will Receive the Funds
   Both Stafford and PLUS Loans are guaranteed and services by Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. (Great Lakes). When Great Lakes receives the Master Promissory Note from the credit union and School Certification Form from the school indicating the loan amount and disbursement dates, funds will be sent to the school.
   
   
7. Access Your Loan Account Online
   You can check the status of your loan, view your account information and make payments from your bank account 24/7 at www.mygreatlakes.org. After you log in, choose My Loans, then Internet Browser Inquiry Service to get started. This site offers a variety of tools for calculating the cost of your loan. It’s your resource to forms, a glossary of financial aid terms, contract information, and lots of other information to help you manage your loans.
   
   
8. Call These Toll-free Numbers for Loan Inquiries
   • Contact BEFORE your loan is disbursed to the school: Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. at 1-800-366-0032.
   • Contact AFTER your loan is disbursed to the school: Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. at 1-800-236-4300.

Visions Credit Union Alternative Financing

Possibly you may want to use the equity in your home to secure a low rate loan to help pay for tuition and college expenses. Click here for alternative financing options available at your credit union.

To find out more, please call the Loan Servicing Department at (607) 786-2000, ext. 223.

We believe there’s no better investment than education. If we can help you make an investment in your future – or your child’s – please let us know.

Additional Alternative Financing Online (24/7) Through The Campus Door

This website managed by our partner on this product, Campus Door, allows you to apply for alternative financing on the internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY FOR THE VISIONS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION ALTERNATIVE LOAN FROM CAMPUS DOOR.