Chicago Booth announces new international student loan programme
Foreign students able to receive federal lending without a US co-signer
The University of Chicago has signed a participation letter with the new International Student Loan Programme (ISLP), which will provide loans requiring no co-signer to international students at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
The programme will make educational loans available to international students who are not eligible for federal assistance and cannot qualify for standard private loans because they do not have a US co-signer. Under the agreements, Deutsche Bank, as initial investor, expects to purchase promissory notes, the proceeds of which will provide financing to international students for an amount up to the total cost of attendance, less any financial aid received. The terms of the programme balance student costs and school risk in providing loans for Chicago Booth students. The loans will have terms comparable to private loans available for students with US co-signers. The transaction remains subject to completion of required documentation and regulatory approval, if any.
“Providing international students with access to a Chicago Booth education is a priority,” said Rosemaria Martinelli, associate dean for student recruitment and admissions. About one-third of the students enrolled in the school’s MBA programme come from outside the US.
“With some traditional avenues closed due to the weak economy, we have gone to great lengths to find creative alternatives so our international students can finance their education,” Martinelli said. “We are delighted to be able to offer a sustainable solution for our international students.”
“We are aware of the challenges international students are facing and want to use our resources to create and invest in a programme that will benefit them,” said Fred Brettschneider, Head of Global Markets Americas at Deutsche Bank. Chris Chapman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Access Group said “ISLP will help bridge a gap in student lending. So we are excited to offer our expertise in graduate and professional education financing and our top-quality service to this innovative loan programme.”
ISLP, originally conceived and discussed under the convening authority of the Graduate Management Admission Councilâ (GMAC), quickly evolved into a loan programme to be provided by a consortium of organizations experienced in the student loan arena. This consortium, led by Deutsche Bank, which expects to provide initial funding, includes Access Group as programme servicer and administrator; Liberty Bank, N.A. as originating lender; and Moehn and Associates as programme manager. The ISLP was developed with the involvement of Chicago Booth.
“This programme was designed to be school-centric and promises to provide funding for years to come,” said Kevin Moehn, principal of Moehn and Associates and former Executive Vice President at Sallie Mae.
“We were happy to have played an initial role in stimulating thought among our members and Deutsche Bank,” said Dave Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of GMACâ which not have an ongoing role in the programme.
“Despite the difficult economic climate, the University has stood by its commitment to help qualified students afford a Chicago education,” said University Bursar Michael Kocelko.
