With the upcoming elimination of the Grad PLUS program effective July 1st, CHESLA is developing a new and enhanced Connecticut graduate loan solution. This program will offer 5-, 10-, and 15-year repayment terms, along with multiple repayment options to better meet the needs of today’s graduate students. Our new program is on track to launch in May. Stay tuned for more updates!

Undergraduate Student Loans

6.65% Fixed Annual Rate
(not FICO score driven)

%

Any questions? Please call 860-520-4001

  • The student is always the borrower on a CHESLA loan.
  • Must be at least the age of majority or older at the time of application based on his/her state of permanent residence. If you are a Connecticut resident under the age of 18, you can still apply with a required co-borrower.
  • CHESLA loans allow 1 co-borrower on the loan.
  • Borrower must be a Connecticut resident attending a non-profit, degree granting institution of higher education in the United States; or a resident of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont attending an eligible Connecticut state or non-profit, degree granting institution of higher education.
  • Co-Borrower must be a resident of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
  • CHESLA encourages you to exhaust your financial aid, scholarship, and Direct Subsidized/Direct Unsubsidized federal student loan options before applying for a CHESLA loan.
  • CHESLA loans are available for undergraduate and graduate students.
May 29th Fixed Rate Comparison Chart

Loan Rate for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

  • 6.65% Fixed Annual Rate (guaranteed rate, not FICO score driven).
  • 0.25% ACH interest rate reduction is available.
  • Annual Percentage Rate (which accounts for any fees) is 6.65%.
  • Low monthly payments of $5.54 per $1,000 borrowed during the in-school and 6-month grace period, and $10.29 per $1,000 borrowed during the 140-month repayment term for principal and interest.

Qualifying Criteria

There are 3 criteria to qualify for a loan:

  • Minimum gross annual income of $20,000
  • A Debt-to-Income ratio (DTI) that does not exceed 43%
  • Credit worthy, as determined by a commercial credit report

If a student does not meet all 3 criteria, then the co-borrower needs to meet all 3 criteria for loan approval.

Our Impact

In-School Loans

In-School Loan Volume

Refinance Loans

Refinance Loan Volume

Scholarships

Scholarship Volume

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