Perkins Loan Information

The Perkins Loan Office handles all aspects of your loan once you begin the repayment process. You should contact this office once you graduate or fall below half-time at an institution of higher learning. For more information see the Frequently Asked Questions below or call 717-477-1393.

Address

Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive, Room #112       
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Phone: 717-477-1393
Fax: 717-477-4086

Perkins Loan Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Federal Perkins Loan?

A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) loan for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Your school is your lender. The loan is made with government funds with a share contributed by the school. You must repay this loan to your school. 

What website do I use to complete my SU Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note/Entrance Counseling or SU Perkins Loan Exit Interview?

The website to complete both is https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html.

To complete the Master Promissory Note/Entrance Counseling click on the “eSign a Promissory Note” tab and then the “Shippensburg University of PA” tab and follow the directions on the SU Electronic Promissory Notes page.

To complete the Exit Interview log in by entering the SU School code (09) your account number (SS #) and your PIN. (If you don’t know your pin, click the “Need help logging in?” tab.)  Please fill out the Exit Interview completely and sign it electronically. 

Is there a charge for this loan?

A Perkins Loan borrower is not charged any fees. However, if you skip a payment, make a payment late, or make less than a full payment, you will have to pay a late charge plus any collection costs. Late charges will continue until your payments are current. 

When do I pay back my Perkins Loan?

You have nine months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time status before you must begin repayment. This is called a grace period. At the end of your grace period, you must begin repaying your loan. You may be allowed up to 10 years to repay your loan. 

Who will be billing me for my Perkins Loan?

The school can bill you directly or use a billing/servicing company. If you received your loan from Shippensburg University, we use a billing/servicing company. The company we use is Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI) located in Warrendale, PA. The address is:

Shippensburg University (AC09)
C/O Educational Computer Systems, Inc.
100 Global View Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086

Please use P.O. Box 1278, Wexford, PA 15090 for all paperwork for student loan servicing, tuition payment plans, refund disbursements, and other products.  Do not send payments to this address.

Please use P.O. Box 718, Wexford, PA 15090 for all payments for student loan servicing, tuition payment plans, and delinquent student accounts receivable.

You can also send your payment directly to Shippensburg University. If you decide to mail the payment to the school, please place your SUID number and the word Perkins in the memo area of the check.

Which office handles the Perkins Loan Program once I have graduated from school or stopped attending school for any other reason?

If you attended Shippensburg University, the Student Accounts office in the Old Main building, Room #112 located at 1871 Old Main Drive is responsible for Perkins Loans.  Or you can contact ECSI, our Perkins Loan servicer, via your Perkins Loan account at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html or call ECSI toll free at 1-888-549-3274.

Can I postpone repayment of my Federal Perkins Loan?

Yes. Under certain circumstances, you can receive a deferment or forbearance on your loan. During a deferment, you are allowed to temporarily postpone payments on you loan, and no interest accrues. You may receive a deferment under certain conditions, such as unemployment.

Deferments are not automatic. You must apply for one through your Shippensburg University by completing a deferment request form. You must file your deferment request on time or you’ll pay a late charge.

For more details on deferments, contact the Shippensburg University Perkins Loan office or ECSI (see ECSI contact information in the previous FAQ)

If you are temporarily unable to meet your repayment schedule but are not eligible for a deferment, you can receive forbearance for a limited and specific period. During forbearance, your payments are postponed or reduced. Interest continues to accrue; you are responsible for it.

Forbearance is not automatic either. You may be granted forbearance in 3 to 12 month intervals for up to three years. You must apply in writing for forbearance through Shippensburg University or ECSI. You’ll have to provide documentation to support your request for forbearance. You must continue making scheduled payments until you are notified that deferment or forbearance has been granted.

All deferment and forbearance forms are available via our Perkins Loan servicer’s website at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html and clicking on the DOWNLOAD FORMS tab and scrolling down to the ECSI Forms.

If I have a change of status, whom should I contact?

You should contact the office at the school who handles the repayment of your Perkins Loan or their billing/servicing company with any changes in name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, or driver’s license number. If you received your loan from Shippensburg University, go to the ECSI website at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html or call ECSI toll free at 1-888-549-3274.

Can my Federal Perkins Loan be cancelled?

Yes, if the borrower dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled, the loan can be cancelled. A loan can also qualify for cancellation under certain other conditions - as long as the borrower is not in default. For more information, go to the ECSI website at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html or call ECSI toll free at 1-888-549-3274.

Is the loan reported to a Credit Bureau?

Yes. Perkins Loan information is reported to a national credit bureau after the initial disbursement of funds.

Additional questions about your Federal Perkins Loan?

If you have any questions about the terms of your Federal Perkins Loan, repayment obligations, deferment, forbearance, or cancellation, check with the school that made the loan. Only that school may grant deferment, forbearance, or cancellation, or make other decisions concerning your loan. If you received your loan from Shippensburg University, you can also go to the ECSI website at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html or call ECSI toll free at 1-888-549-3274 or contact Shippensburg University directly at 717-477-1393.