Student Assistance Foundation Lands New National Clients

(HELENA) Student Assistance Foundation (SAF), a nonprofit loan servicing company based in Montana, recently signed contracts with three national organizations to service their student loan portfolios, which are projected to reach $1.5 billion by the end of this year.

The three organizations are:

• New York Dental Association,
• American Academy of Neurology Enterprises, Inc., and
• Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc.

The national companies provide education loans to students outside of Montana. In Montana, the Montana Higher Education Student Assistance Corporation (MHESAC), SAF and their partners provide similar student loans.

New Clients Double SAF’s Serviced Loan Portfolio

With the addition of the new clients, SAF’s student loan portfolio will double to nearly $3 billion.

"We are extremely pleased to bring our new clients on board," said SAF President Jim Stipcich. "New business for us means more educational grants and public benefit services for Montana students."

SAF, a Montana organization started in 2000, uses earnings from student loan servicing to fund grant programs and outreach services for campuses and communities across Montana.

"To date, we’ve provided $3.1 million in Acce$$ (pronounced "access") grants for Montana students – more than any other Montana-based student grant program in the state," Stipcich said. "We also staff campus outreach offices in Missoula, Bozeman, Billings and Miles City and are looking to open one in Kalispell soon."

Besides grants and outreach offices, SAF is known for spearheading College Goal Sunday – an annual statewide effort that helps Montana families complete their federal financial aid forms. In 2006, financial aid volunteers in 17 cities across the state helped more than 1,000 Montana students and parents navigate the government process.

SAF also provides access to and training for the Montana Career Information System (MCIS). MCIS, a Web resource for Montana students, is dedicated to financial aid, college and career planning and debt management.

For more information, call SAF at 800.852.2761.