About the Arizona Higher Education Loan Authority

What We Do
Arizona Higher Education Loan Authority (AHELA) is a student loan secondary market and direct lender of federal student loan programs. In 1976 congress approved bipartisan legislation to address the over whelming demand for student loans. The legislation authorized the creation of specialized student loan secondary market organizations. Today, there are over 25 states that have authorized a single non-profit student loan provider that operates as AHELA does within the state that they serve.

It’s through this legislation that AHELA exists today. As a student loan secondary market, AHELA is able to meet the growing college financing needs of Arizona students and families by raising money through the sale of bonds to investors, and using that money to make student loans directly or to acquire them from banks and for-profit lenders. By acquiring loans from other lenders this increases the access of much-needed financial assistance by allowing financial institutions to make more loans.

As a direct lender of federal loan programs, AHELA plays a vital role by providing students and families with the least expensive student loan available by paying federally mandated fees on behalf of students, and by offering interest rates below the standard government rate. These borrower benefits are available at no cost to tax payers, and save students and families millions of dollars in interest and fee payments each year. As a private non-profit organization AHELA’s goal is to be recognized as a valuable and trusted advocate within the higher education community.

Why We Do It
As the cost of a college education continues to increase the role of AHELA will become more crucial in the efforts to increase access to higher education. Arizona has some of the best universities and colleges in the country, but with that education comes the burden of not only financing tuition, books, housing and other college-related expenses, but understanding the process and much more importantly knowing that higher education is attainable. At AHELA we are passionate about our mission and are committed to helping students achieve their dream of higher education, thus providing a better life for themselves and their families.

AHELA fills a void in the financing of higher education in Arizona. AHELA is only focused on serving the needs of Arizona. Therefore, we can tailor and develop loan programs and services to meet the needs of our state. The result of this effort is low cost loan programs and services that help students both manage and minimize their loans. Overall, AHELA’s success is a direct result of the support from our universities, colleges, partners and most of all our students.