Loans: Information and Application

Choosing a Lender

You may use any lender for your education loan, and we encourage you to explore loan terms and benefits offered by various lenders. Before you make a decision, please review our Loan Know-How page.

Every year Bennington College evaluates many lenders based on their loan cost and rates, borrower benefits, and service. Recommended lenders for 2008–09 appear on our Loan Comparison page.

Types of Education Loans

• Federal Stafford Student Loan—either subsidized or unsubsidized. [Read more.]
• Federal PLUS Loan—Parent PLUS or Grad PLUS. [Read more.]
• Other Student Loans—private, supplemental, and alternative loans. [Read more.]
• Bennington Loan for International Students. [Read more.]

Compare and Apply for Loans

Click here to compare or apply for a federal Stafford or PLUS loan or a private alternative loan from our recommended lenders. Alternatively, if you’ve chosen a lender not represented there, you may apply directly from your lender’s website. Bennington will be notified of the loan when you have completed all lender (usually electronic) paperwork, and we are asked to certify your eligibility.

Checking Loan Status

If you have applied for a Stafford, PLUS or alternative loan, you may check its status online at www.elmresources.com. Click on “Student and Parents,” then “Check My Loans On ELMNet.” Create an ID and password and enter.