An ACS student loan is one that is serviced by Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., a company that is known for outsourcing technology and business solutions. Many universities use the ACS student loan because of the company’s reputation for using technology to smooth over some of the more difficult aspects of loan services.
With an ACS student loan, students can make payments online, instantly see the status of an account, change personal details like name and address, and receive email notification when payments have been processed.
A number of different financial aid programs fall under the heading of an ACS student loan. One of the major ACS student loan groups is the Campus Based Student Loan Program (CBSL), which includes Federal Perkins Loans, Nursing Student Loans (NSL), and Institutional Loan Programs, among others. Another major group of educational loans handled by ACS is the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL), which includes the Stafford (GSL) Loans, PLUS loans to parents of students, and loan consolidation services. ACS also handles a group of educational loans donated by a variety of private companies.
For those who do not already have an ACS student loan, applications and guidelines for different financial aid options are available online. The ACS website gives a clear example of how to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and demonstrates what the results mean in terms of your eligibility for financial aid. Furthermore, applications for both Stafford and PLUS loans for parents can be found on the ACS website, and can be completed and sent in online.
If you have an ACS student loan already, you might be interested in learning about the benefits of student loan consolidation. The ACS website provides information and application forms that could help you lock in a lower rate and reduce your monthly payment amount.
Other tools that might help you with your ACS student loan include a repayment calculator, IRS guidelines about how to use your student loans for tax relief, and a glossary of important student loan-related terms.
All in all, an ACS student loan is one that will give the borrower the most ease and flexibility when it comes to loan servicing from application to repayment and consolidation. ACS works with a number of universities across the United States, including the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Vermont. Even if your specific university does not offer student loans handled by ACS, their website is a treasure trove of helpful tools and information, and well worth a look.
Mark Kessler's website Student Loans 411 offers a comprehensive free resource of college financial aid for Consolidating Student Loans, Alternative Student Loans, ACS, Bad Credit, US Department Of Education Student Loans, including a variety student loan articles.