No, you do not need to be a Massachusetts resident to apply for a MEFA Loan. MEFA is based in Massachusetts, but MEFA Loans are available to families nationwide for students attending an eligible postsecondary institution. Residents of any state can apply.

On each graduate loan page on mefa.org, you’ll find loan details, interest rates, calculators, and FAQs to help you with your decision. MEFA offers graduate loans for Master’s & Doctorate, Dental School, Health Professions, Law School, and Medical School, which also applies to veterinarian programs. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach us at (800) 266-0243 or [email protected].

Yes, as long as the college considers off-campus housing as part of their Cost of Attendance. Colleges will only certify a loan amount equal to or under the amount of the Cost of Attendance minus any financial aid received. If the off-campus housing is included in the college’s Cost of Attendance (and it usually is), and the school certifies the requested loan amount that includes funds for that off-campus housing, we will lend it. Talk to the financial aid office at your college and find out if they will certify for off-campus housing.

All applicants on a MEFA Loan can complete the required steps in one day. The application is quick and easy and can be done online at mefa.org. Applicants should receive a decision momentarily after all parties have submitted the requested information. Assuming the loan application is approved, the primary borrower will need to choose a loan repayment option, and then all borrowers will need to electronically sign the MEFA Loan Agreement, and the primary borrower will need to sign the Self-Certification Form. The college must then certify the loan amount and let us know the date on which to send the loan funds (their preferred disbursement date), which is usually when the bill is due. Contact your financial aid office to find out your school’s timing and process.

It’s usually best to wait until you have received your bill before applying for a loan, so you have a better understanding of the amount you need. But if you need to apply before you receive your bill, yes, you should estimate[MV1.1] how much you’ll need to borrow. It’s better to estimate on the higher side as the loan amount can always be reduced but once you sign the loan documents, the loan amount cannot be increased. You are permitted to borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus any financial aid you receive, but we recommend that you keep your debt to a minimum and only borrow what you think you will need. The Cost of Attendance includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, personal costs, housing, transportation, and your meal plan. It usually includes off-campus housing, though check with the financial aid office to be sure.

We recommend that families borrow for the full academic year. When the school certifies your loan, they will generally split the loan into two disbursements, one for each semester. Interest will accrue from the first disbursement (e.g. fall) to the final disbursement (e.g. spring), and that interest will be capitalized, or in other words, added to the loan amount. You should be able to estimate your costs for the year based on your fall semester charges and the Cost of Attendance provided by the school. If you wind up needing additional funds for the spring semester, you can always submit a new application. Please note that if you would rather borrow for one semester at a time, you are permitted to do so.

You can find all information about your existing MEFA Loans by signing up for Account Access on the website of American Education Services (AES), our loan servicer. AES handles all loan payment collection and servicing responsibilities for MEFA Loans. Once you establish your AES Account Access username and password, you can view information about your MEFA Loans 24/7. Within AES Account Access you can also make a loan payment, set up direct deposit, and contact AES through a secure email box.

When you apply, you will be offered the repayment plan options for which you are eligible and asked to select one. Once your repayment plan choice is made and you sign and complete the MEFA Loan Agreement, you cannot change your repayment plan option. Please call our loan servicer, American Education Services (AES), at (800) 233-0557 if you have questions about your repayment plan terms.

If you are a graduate student and your parent is a co-borrower on your MEFA Graduate Loan, then you are both liable for the loan’s repayment. Typically, the graduate student is designated as the “notice borrower,” rather than the parent or another credit-worthy individual, designated as “co-borrower(s).” The notice borrower will receive billing statements (via email or mail based on their communication preference), IRS form 1098, and other official notices related to the loan. Co-borrowers will receive notifications about billing (though not the billing statement) and have full access to the account information. It’s important to note that even if you have decided you will be the one to repay the loan, all co-borrowers are equally responsible for the loan’s repayment.

Unfortunately, all parties on a MEFA Loan must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. If you need financing to attend college, we suggest you contact the colleges in which you are interested. They could give you guidance on what other international students have done to finance their education at their school.

If you are a MEFA borrower and have recently become totally and permanently disabled, we want to hear from you and work with you. Please reach out to our loan servicing provider AES at (800) 233-0557. We may be able to provide assistance.

We may have relief options available. Please call our loan servicer, American Education Services (AES), at (800) 233-0557. A dedicated AES representative will work with you one on one to create a solution that meets your individual needs. You may also engage with AES through the borrower portal at aesSuccess.org or via the mobile app. Options for relief include a modified payment plan (MPT), which could provide a temporary reduction in your monthly installment, allowing you to continue the paydown of your loan(s) during a challenging economic time.