Dakota Education Alternative Loan (DEAL)
If you add up all of your sources of aid and still fall short of meeting the cost of attendance at your school, a DEAL loan is a good option to help you make up the difference. The DEAL loan provides additional financial support to students who are unable to obtain adequate funds through federal student aid programs. The DEAL loan is funded by BND and guaranteed by Student Loans of North Dakota (SLND).
How do I know if I qualify for a DEAL loan? (Qualifications are subject to change without notice.)
- Your state of legal residence OR the school that you are attending must be located in one of the following states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming or Wisconsin.
- You must be a U.S. citizen attending an eligible school, be making satisfactory academic progress and must not have any other loans in default.
- You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process if you plan to attend school at least half-time.
- The school certifies your current enrollment or acceptance for enrollment, academic progress and eligibility.
- Whether you take one class or are a full-time student, you may qualify for a DEAL loan.
- High school students participating in dual credit programs may qualify for a DEAL loan.
- A cosigner is required for borrowers younger than 24 years of age. You, or a cosigner, must meet specific credit criteria.
What are the credit criteria?
Generally, if you have a credit score of 700 or higher you will qualify. If your credit score is in the 575 to 699 range, BND will do a thorough review of your credit history to determine if you meet the credit requirements. You will not qualify if your credit score is below 575.
How much can I borrow per year?
The minimum DEAL loan amount is $500. The maximum amount you can borrow is equal to the cost of attendance at your school, minus all other financial aid received for the loan period.
What is the interest rate?
(A fixed or variable interest rate is available.)
| Fixed |
| The interest rate for a fixed rate loan will be set on the day the loan is first disbursed and remains the same until the loan is paid in full. The current interest rate is effective through September 30, 2010 and was calculated using the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) 10 Year Advanced Rate of 4.00% as posted by Federal Home Loan Bank - Des Moines on June 23, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. CT plus 2% or 3% dependent upon the student's state of legal residence or the location of the school the student is attending. |
| Variable |
| The interest rate for a variable rate loan decreases or increases throughout the life of the loan. The current variable interest rate is effective through September 30, 2010 and was calculated using the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) of .54% as posted by Bloomberg on June 23, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. CT plus 1.5% or 2.5% dependent upon the student's state of legal residence or the location of the school the student is attending. |
Student/College Information - Fee and Interest Rate Comparison Table
Student/College Information |
Loan Fee |
Fixed APR 1 |
Variable APR 1 |
| ND student attending a ND college |
0% |
6.00% |
2.04% |
| Out-of-state student attending a ND college |
0% |
6.00% |
2.04% |
| ND student attending an out-of-state college |
0% |
6.00% |
2.04% |
| Out-of-state student attending an out-of-state college |
2% |
7.46% 2 |
3.46% 3 |
1 The APR is typically different than the actual interest rate because the APR considers fees and reflects the cost of your loan as a yearly rate. The APR’s listed above also assume the interest that accrues during the in-school and grace period is paid monthly prior to the loan entering repayment.
2 The APR example provided assumes a loan balance of $10,000, the current interest rate of 7.00% and a repayment term of 120 payments.
3 The APR example provided assumes a loan balance of $10,000, the current interest rate of 3.04% and a repayment term of 120 payments.
Are there any fees?
There is a 0% or 2% Administration Fee. BND may pay the Administrative Fee for North Dakota residents and students attending school in state. All other students will be charged 2%.
When does repayment begin?
Although you are not required to make payments while you are in school, it is to your advantage, and we encourage you to make payments during this time. By making payments, or by paying some of the interest, it will reduce the total amount that you have to pay throughout the life of the loan. Any interest you do not pay will be capitalized (added to your principal balance) when your loan enters repayment.
If you are enrolled less than half-time when your DEAL loan is made, you will enter repayment six months following the day the loan is fully disbursed.
If you are enrolled at least half-time when your DEAL loan is made, or your enrollment increases to at least half-time before the loan enters repayment, you will enter repayment six months after completion of or withdrawal from school, or when you cease to be enrolled at least half-time.
The minimum monthly payment is typically $50. Accounts 15 days delinquent will be assessed a late charge of $15 or 6% of the monthly payment, whichever is less.
While in repayment, a .25% interest rate reduction will be given for automatic payments from a checking or savings account.
How long do I have to repay?
Typically, you have 10 years to repay a DEAL loan; however, you may be eligible for an Extended Repayment Plan if your outstanding principal and interest totals more than $30,000.
Deferment and forbearance options are available.
A cosigner release option is available after 24 on-time payments. To qualify, the borrower must be creditworthy, in repayment on the loan(s), and have made 24 consecutive on-time regular payments.
The documents on this page require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, please click the link above to download the latest version free of charge.
Download the DEAL Request for Release of Cosigner.
Will my DEAL loan be consolidated with other student loans?
DEAL loans are a North Dakota state alternative loan program and are not part of the federal student loan program. The loans are not eligible for the Federal Student Loan Consolidation Program. However, BND will combine all of your DEAL loans into one monthly payment or you may want to consider BND’s DEAL Consolidation Loan Program.
What is required to complete a DEAL application request?
- A completed Borrower Application and Promissory Note
- A completed Cosigner Credit Application and Promissory Note
- A completed DEAL Loan Request to School
How do I apply?
Get your loan processed faster! "Apply Online" now for a DEAL loan!
If you prefer to complete a paper application, download the forms below. The college will be asked to certify the student's current enrollment or acceptance for enrollment, academic progress, and eligibility. You may also contact BND at 1-800-472-2166 ext. 5763 for a DEAL application.
What's Next?
After BND receives the School Certification, the following documents will be sent to you before any disbursement can be made:
- Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification
- DEAL Approval Disclosure
- DEAL Final Disclosure
Note: If the DEAL Approval Disclosure and Applicant Self-Certification forms are not acknowledged, signed and returned to our office within the time frame noted on the Approval Disclosure, the loan request will be cancelled.
