Student Loans
Get the private student loans you need to finance your education and achieve your academic goals with the help of our lending partners.
Sallie Mae®
Undergraduate or graduate student? Trainee or seeking certifications? Wherever you are in your higher education journey, get the funds you need to finish through our partnership with Sallie Mae.
- Competitive interest rates
- Multiple repayment options
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty1
Borrow Responsibly
Paying for college can be a heavy lift. We encourage you to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans. Be sure to evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments and future earnings before considering a private student loan.2
LendKey
LendKey helps lenders like us offer low-rate loans online. We get to take advantage of a low-cost digital platform that automates the loan process – and lets us pass the savings on to you.
- Borrow only what you need and as little as $2,000
- Apply in less than five minutes
- Get a competitive interest rate
- Reduce your rate by 0.25% with recurring monthly payments
- Pay for qualified college education expenses, including next semester tuition, housing, meal plans, books, and computers
Pro Tip: Get a co-signer.
Worried about getting approved for a student loan due to limited credit history? Improve your eligibility for a private student loan by enlisting the help of a creditworthy co-signer. A co-signer may also help reduce your rate.
Select your location to view rates.
It pays to be a member.
Showing rates for:
1 APY = Annual Percentage Yield. All dividend rates and APY may change at any time.
2 APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Terms and conditions may apply.
2 APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Terms and conditions may apply.
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Debit Card Rewards
Enjoy exclusive savings on everything from apparel to travel, courtesy of our debit card rewards program – a small “thank you” for your membership.
Invite a Friend
Know someone looking for a not-for-profit financial institution that lets them bank for a greater good? Send them our way!
Testimonials
“I’ve gotten great customer service from Great Lakes Credit Union. When I go into the branch there is always someone there with a smile ready to help.”
Student Loan FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Don’t see an answer to your question here? Contact us, and a team member will be happy to help.
Yes! Qualifying student loans may be eligible for interest tax deduction.
Anyone can co-sign on a private student loan. Co-signers do not need to be a parent or guardian. A family member, trusted friend, distant relative, or anyone else in good financial standing that will agree to apply jointly with you can be a co-signer.
Yes. The primary borrower and the co-signer share equal responsibility for the student loan. Should something result in the primary borrower being unable to make payments or defaulting on the loan, the co-signer is legally obligated to step in and make payments.
Yes, under certain conditions a co-signer can be removed from a student loan. The conditions are often specific to the lender with most requiring a history of on-time payments and the primary borrower meeting the lender’s credit and income requirements.
Nope. While many of our applications are for Illinois student loans, those outside of Illinois can apply for private student loans through Great Lakes Credit Union.
College Resource Center
Learn about GLCU Scholarships, planning college visits, choosing a school, and navigating your student loan options.
Share Certificates
Lock in a great rate with flexible terms of six months to five years. Guaranteed returns help you meet your savings goals and plan for the future.
Disclosure:
1 Although we do not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note—first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
2These loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank or a lender partner. GLCU is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of loan customers. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
© 2022 Sallie Mae Bank. All rights reserved. Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. All other names and logos used are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
3APY = Annual Percentage Yield. All dividend rates and APY may change at any time.
4APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Terms and conditions may apply.
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