Loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid. Repaying your student loans establishes your financial independence and credit history. It is very important that you manage your loan payments carefully—failing to repay as agreed upon in your promissory note can have serious consequences to your financial well-being.
Your loan payments will be handled differently, depending on the program.
Loan program types
Direct loans
Visit StudentAid.gov for information on the following loans:
- Federal Direct subsidized
- Federal Direct unsubsidized
- Federal Direct parent PLUS
- Federal Direct graduate/professional PLUS
University-administered loans
Student Account Assistance (SAA) is your primary contact for repayment of University-administered loans. Those loan programs include:
- Federal Perkins Loan
- Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL)
- Nursing Student Loan (NSL)
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)
- Primary Care Loan (PCL)
- University Trust Fund Loan (UTFL)
The University does not service FFEL Stafford, Direct, Student Educational Loan Fund (SELF), Parent PLUS, or Direct Graduate/Professional loans.
Billing and access to online loan information
ECSI is the University's electronic loan servicer for any University-administered loans you received while attending the University of Minnesota.
Billing
You will receive monthly billing statements from ECSI. Your billing statement will be sent to you early each month. If you have multiple loans in repayment, you will receive one statement for all of your University-administered loans. If you have loans in repayment at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) as well as any other U of M campus, your billing for UMD will be separate.
Online account access
Access your ECSI account online to manage your loan repayment. Use your ECSI Key (not your federal aid FSA ID number), included with the billing statement. If you do not have a billing statement, please contact Student Account Assistance (SAA) to have your Key mailed to you.
Payment due
Payment must be received electronically, in person, or by mail on the first day of the following month by SAA. Postmarks are not considered proof of timely payment.
If you do not receive a bill, you are still expected to make a payment by the first of the month. Send your check or money order with your name and University student ID to SAA. Your canceled check is your receipt.
You may pay without penalty all or any part of the loan principal and accrued interest at anytime before it becomes due. If you would like to do this, please contact Student Account Assistance (SAA).
Making payments
Recurring payments
Recurring payments are the cheapest and easiest way to ensure you remain current on your loan payments. You will receive an e-billing statement and your monthly payment will be automatically deducted from your checking or savings account.
Set up this secured service on the ECSI website.
Payroll deduction
If you are an employee of the University of Minnesota, you may choose to make your payments by completing and submitting the Payroll Deduction Authorization to SAA.
Electronic bank transfer (non-recurring)
You can make a same-day electronic loan payment transfer from your checking or savings account for a small fee. Sign into the ECSI website to make this transaction.
Pay by credit card
ECSI will also accept credit card payments. A sliding-scale transaction fee, based on your loan amount, is charged for this service. Sign into the ECSI website to make these transactions.
Pay in-person
You can make a payment in person at the SAA office at 211 Robert H. Bruininks Hall—by check or money order only—for the exact amount you want to apply to your loan balance.
Pay by mail
If you would like to mail a check or money order to make a payment on your loan balance:
- Make the check or money order for the exact amount you want to apply to your loan
- Send it in time to arrive (not postmarked) on or before the due date
- Include the statement stub or a note with your name and student ID number
Send your billing statement and payment to:
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Student Account Assistance
P. O. Box 194
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0194
When enclosing correspondence or sending a payment without a billing statement, address to:
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Student Account Assistance
211 Robert H. Bruininks Hall
222 Pleasant St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0239
Your receipt for a mailed in payment is your canceled check or copy of your money order.
Penalties
The University assesses monthly late fees and places a hold on your academic records if you fail to make a payment when due. A fee of up to 20% of your monthly installment is added to the balance due whenever you make a late payment.
If you fail to make loan payments, your loan will go into default status. As required by federal law, the University will disclose your loan default to a national credit bureau organization, along with other relevant information.
Please do not hesitate to contact a Student Account Assistance representative if you have concerns or questions about your ability to repay your loans on schedule.
Minnesota Student Education Loan Fund (SELF)
Review the SELF Loan FAQs for helpful information. For repayment questions or to make payments, contact the loan servicer:
Firstmark Services
PO Box 2977
Omaha, NE 68103-2977
Phone 888-538-7378
Private alternative loans
For repayment information on a private loan, contact your lender.
Student Loan Advocate
If you are a Minnesota resident and are having issues with your student loan lender or servicer, the Student Loan Advocate at the Minnesota Department of Commerce is willing to assist you. To learn more about this resource, to file a complaint, or to ask questions, go to the Department of Commerce student loans webpage or call 651-539-1022.