Paying for College Responsibly
Listen to our 1-2-3 approach to help you make more informed, responsible financial decisions for how to pay for college.
Navigating the college process can be intimidating.
Applying for student loans shouldn’t be. M&T is here to help make the process easy, so you can focus on what matters most.
M&T has undergraduate student loan options for your degree.
Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to apply, empowering you to find the right loan for your bachelor’s, associate’s or certificates at a degree-granting school is important.
Our Student Resources & Interactive Guides can help get you started on the right path. Once you’re ready to apply, you’ll choose from competitive fixed and variable rates and several repayment options that allow you to borrow from $1,000 up to 100% of your school-certified expenses.
Loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. M&T Bank reserves the right to approve a lower loan amount than the school-certified amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
VARIABLE RATES:
4.00% APR – 14.34% APR
FIXED RATES:
4.50% APR – 14.83% APR
Lowest rates include an auto debit discount. Fixed rates will remain constant while variable rates will fluctuate with the market over the life of the loan.
Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
Choose from 3 repayment options.
Choose one of the following repayment options as part of the application process.
- Defer payments until you leave school.
- Pay monthly interest while in school.
- Pay $25 per month while in school.
Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 M&T Bank Undergraduate Student Loan with the most common Fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% Fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% Fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22.
Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.
Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.
Details and Features
Rate discount available
Get a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction when you enroll and make monthly payments by auto debit.
Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
Loan term
10-15 years of principal and interest repayments.
Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 M&T Bank Undergraduate Student Loan with the most common Fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% Fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% Fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22.
Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.
Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.
Apply to release your cosigner
Apply to release your cosigner after you graduate. Make 12 on-time principal and interest payments and meet certain credit requirements. Releasing a co-signer could improve their debt-to-income ratio and credit to qualify for other needs.
Only the borrower may apply for cosigner release. You must first meet the age of majority in your state and provide proof of graduation (or completion of certification program), income, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (if your status has changed since you applied). In the last 12 months, you can’t have been past-due on any loans serviced by us for 30 or more days or enrolled in any hardship forbearances or modified repayment programs. Additionally, you must have paid ahead or made 12 on-time principal and interest payments on each loan requested for release. The loan can’t be past due when the cosigner release application is processed. You must also demonstrate that you can assume full responsibility of the loan(s) individually and pass a credit review when the cosigner release application is processed that demonstrates a satisfactory credit history including but not limited to no: bankruptcy, foreclosure, student loan(s) in default or 90-day delinquencies in the last 24 months. Requirements are subject to change.
Got questions? We're here to help.
Application Checklist
Before starting, we recommend you (and your cosigner, if applicable) have the following information handy:
- Permanent address
- Social Security numbers
- School information
- Academic period of enrollment
- Requested loan amount
- Financial aid and scholarships you expect to receive
- Financial information
- Two personal contacts (other than your cosigner)
Loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. M&T Bank reserves the right to approve a lower loan amount than the school-certified amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Countdown to College
Stay on track: Your stress-free guide for applying to college.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Decoding Financial Aid Offers
Use the 1-2-3 approach to help your student pay for college whether they're studying on campus or online.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Understanding grants and scholarships to pay for college
Grants and scholarships are two types of financial aid that don’t have to be paid back. So be sure to include them in your plan for paying for college.
Financial Education Center
Money Mentor: The following content is provided by EVERFI, Inc, for educational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to provide investment, tax or legal advice and may contain information on products or services not available at M&T Bank and may describe practices or policies not available or applicable to M&T products. All examples are for illustrative purposes only.
M&T SECURED CREDIT CARD
Your financial future is important.
That’s why we created our Secured Credit Card to help establish or improve your credit.
Learn MoreWhen applying for an M&T Student Loan, you’ll be transferred to our servicing provider, Sallie Mae®.
Disclosures:
- All loans and lines of credit and all terms referenced are subject to credit approval and other conditions. Other terms, conditions, fees and restrictions may apply.
- M&T BANK RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
- This information is for students attending participating degree-granting schools. M&T Bank Undergraduate Student Loan information is for undergraduates only. Graduate Certificate/Continuing Education coursework is not eligible for MBA, Medical, Dental, and Law School Loans. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents if the school is located outside of the United States. Non-U.S. citizen borrowers who reside in the U.S. are eligible with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and are required to provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify identity. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
- M&T Bank Loans are funded by M&T Bank.
- Information advertised valid as of 05/01/2021.
- Although we do not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note—first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
- Loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. M&T Bank reserves the right to approve a lower loan amount than the school-certified amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
- Interest is charged throughout the life of the loan—beginning with disbursement, during school, through any grace/separation period, and ending when the loan is paid in full. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. Payments may be required during the grace/separation period depending on the repayment option selected. Variable rates may increase over the life of the loan.
Borrow responsibly.
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Students and families should evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
All loans and lines of credit and all terms referenced are subject to credit approval and other conditions. Other terms, conditions, fees and restrictions may apply.
Loans for Undergraduate are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.
M&T BANK RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
M&T Bank Loans are funded by M&T Bank.
Information advertised valid as of November 3, 2022.
Sallie Mae is a registered trademark of Sallie Mae Bank.