DEAL One Loan

The DEAL One Loan allows you to refinance all student loans, including federal student loans, into one new loan with one monthly payment. Take advantage of either a variable rate of 6.86% APR* or a fixed rate of 6.43% APR*.

Borrower:

  • North Dakota resident must have lived at a physical address in North Dakota for the past six months to refinance all education loans, including federal student loans, into one new DEAL Loan. 
  • Loans must be in a status of grace or repayment (repayment includes loans in deferment and forbearance). 
  • You must be at least 16 years of age. 
  • You must be a U.S. citizen. 
  • You must not be delinquent or in default on a student loan. 
  • Your credit will be evaluated to determine if the application can be approved. A creditworthy cosigner is required if you do not meet BND’s credit criteria. 

 Cosigner: 

  • You must be at least 18 years of age. 
  • You must be a U.S. citizen. 
  • You must not be delinquent or in default on a student loan. 
  • Your credit will be evaluated to determine if the application can be approved. 

Loans accepted into the DEAL One Program include:

  • Federal student loans including Stafford, Perkins, Direct, PLUS (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students), Grad PLUS Loans and SLS (Supplemental Loans for Students). If you choose to consolidate federal loans, you will lose benefits associated with them. Review the Federal Student Loan Benefits form to learn more.
  • DEAL and DEAL Consolidation Loans
  • Private/alternative student loans from other lenders

There are currently no loan limits. Credit criteria and eligibility requirements vary depending on the loan amount you are requesting.

DEAL One Loan (ND Rates)
These interest rates are effective January 1 through March 31, 2024.
DEAL One Loan (ND Rates)
These interest rates are effective January 1 through March 31, 2024.
Loan Fee Fixed Interest Rate Fixed APR* Variable Interest Rate** Variable APR*
0% 6.43% 6.43% 6.86% 6.86%
DEAL One Loan (ND Rates)
These interest rates are effective January 1 through March 31, 2024.
Loan Fee 0%
Fixed Interest Rate 6.43%
Fixed APR* 6.43%
Variable Interest Rate** 6.86%
Variable APR* 6.86%
*The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is different from the actual interest rate because the APR considers fees and reflects the cost of your loan as a yearly rate. The APR calculation assumes a loan of $10,000, a fixed interest rate of 6.43% or variable interest rate of 6.86%, a loan fee BND pays for you and a 10-year repayment term. **The variable interest rate will never exceed 10.00%. Learn more about fixed and variable interest rates.

You do not pay any fees for a DEAL One Loan. BND pays the fee for you.

Step 1: Apply for a DEAL One Loan. A cosigner may be needed. – Borrower's responsibility

You can start our simple online application by clicking here. If you are a new customer, you will create an account during the application process.

Continue making payments on your student loans until you confirm your original loans have been paid in full with the DEAL One Loan to avoid negative effects to your credit score.

      • Why would I need a cosigner?
        The DEAL One Loan is a credit-based loan meaning that if you do not meet BND’s credit criteria, you will need to find a creditworthy cosigner.
      • How does a cosigner apply?
        You will need to select “Applying with a Cosigner” on page 1 of your application, then on page 5 you will enter the cosigner’s name and email address. They will receive an email with a cosigner PIN and instructions on how to complete the application. If they are a new customer, the application will take them through the process of creating an account.

Step 2: Payoff verification documents – Borrower's responsibility

BND will verify the payoff information for the loans you have listed on the application. You will need to upload a payoff verification document for each loan listed on the application. This document must list the name of the lender, the lender payment address, your name, your account number, the current interest rate for each loan and the payoff amount as of a specific date. This information can be requested by contacting the lender directly.

 

Step 3: Loan configuration – BND sends email to borrower and cosigner (if applicable) to select interest rate – BND‘s and Borrower’s responsibility

After your application has been approved, BND will send you an email asking you to configure your loan. This is where you will select between the variable and fixed interest rate options. To do this, you will log into your online account to make your selection.

Step 4: Loan Documentation – BND sends email to borrower and cosigner (if applicable) to sign documents – BND, Borrower's and Cosigner’s responsibility

Once you configure your loan, you will be asked to eSign the Loan Approval Disclosure and Promissory Note. If you have a cosigner, they will receive an email requesting they log into their online account to eSign the Loan Approval Disclosure and Promissory Note.

These documents are time sensitive and need to be signed and returned before the last date listed on the disclosure.

Step 5: Loan Final Disclosure – Borrower receives disclosure with option to review it and reduce receipt period days – Borrower's responsibility

The Loan Final Disclosure is the last step, and your final opportunity to cancel your application before it becomes a loan. If you want the loan, no further action is required on your part; however, you do have the option to review your final disclosure and waive two of the three business days for your final disclosure receipt period. You can do this by logging into your online account to view the disclosure. After the final disclosure receipt period lapses, your loan will begin the three business day waiting period for your legal right of refusal of the loan. Your loan will automatically be distributed after the required waiting period has passed. You can check your BND online account. It will list the date the loan will be finalized.

Step 6: Payoffs are made to your lender(s) – BND's responsibility

Payoffs made to most lenders/servicers typically take up to 10 business days to reflect on your account with them. Payoffs to your BND loans, will take approximately three business days to your reflect on your account.

Repayment of the loan begins approximately 30 days after the loan is made.

  • Loans that become 15 days delinquent will be assessed a late fee not to exceed 6% of the unpaid portion of the installment or a maximum of $15.00.
  • All loans are reported to consumer reporting agencies monthly. Loans that are 30 days delinquent or greater will be reported as late.
  • Automatic payments can be set up through the BND online portal. This can be updated by selecting Manage Recurring Payments under the Useful Links to the right of each loan. Alternatively, you can complete the Authorization for Automatic Payments form or call our office to have one of our representatives assist you. By signing up for automatic payments, you can: 
    • Decrease your interest rate by 0.25%
    • Choose a payment due date from the 1st through the 28th of the month
    • Avoid late fees
    • Build a positive credit history on your loan

If you are having difficulty repaying the loan, contact us. We can help review your current situation and discuss the options available.

What will I need to complete a DEAL One Loan application?

  • Information on any loans to be included in the consolidation loan such as: current lender’s name, account number, loan balance, loan type, interest rate (You will be asked during the application process if you would like to include all loans from credit report, or you can manually enter the loans.)
  • Social Security Number
  • Driver’s license number
  • Two personal references (living at two different addresses)

Why should I consolidate/refinance my student loans?

The terms consolidation and refinancing are often used interchangeably. Refinancing with the DEAL One Loan allows you to combine multiple student loans from different lenders into one loan. This means one payment to one lender. You may be able to lower your interest rate, extend your repayment term or change your interest rate type from variable to fixed, or vice versa. You could be eligible for a 1.000% annual variable interest rate cap starting on the date your loan is made. The annual maximum rate is reset each year on the anniversary of the date your loan was made based on the rate in effect on the last day of the current 12-month period.

This may decrease your monthly payment or you can choose to make higher monthly payments and save money by repaying the loan more quickly.

Is this program just for recent graduates?

No. The program is available to anyone who has been a resident of North Dakota for at least six months, has student loans and is not attending school. The borrower or cosigner must meet credit criteria.

Can I consolidate/refinance my loans if they are in a grace period?

Yes, but you should know that you will lose the remainder of your grace period and will not receive another one if you decide to return to school. Before you apply to consolidate or refinance your existing loans into a new loan, consult with your lender or servicer to discuss other benefits you may lose if you choose to consolidate. To learn more about a grace period and how it works, click here. 

What is the difference between a fixed and variable interest rate?

A fixed interest rate is set on a specific date and remains the same until the loan is paid in full. A variable interest rate can change based on changes to an “index.”

Special variable rate parameters have been established for the DEAL One Loan. If you select the variable interest rate, your interest will not increase by more than 1% per year and will never increase beyond 10% APR. If the interest rate decreases below your current rate, you will be given the lower interest rate.

Learn about BND’s fixed and variable interest rate options in the Interest rates tab above.

What is the difference between Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and interest rate?

The interest rate is the rate of interest you will pay on the loan for borrowing the funds. The APR reflects not only the interest rate but also the fees or other charges that you have to pay to get the loan. Looking at APR is the most accurate way to compare different loan offers.

How will I know if my loan is approved?

Log in to your online account and view your application status. When your loan is approved, you will also receive an email from BND letting you know the next steps you need to take.   

If you are still unsure about the status of your loan, we would be happy to assist you. You can email us, call 833.397.0311, or chat with us using the link in the lower right corner.

Can a married couple consolidate/refinance their loans together?

No. However, your spouse may be eligible to be a cosigner on your loan.

Do I need a cosigner?

A creditworthy cosigner is required if you do not meet BND’s credit criteria.

Can a cosigner be released?

To be released as the cosigner of a loan, each of the following requirements must be met:

  • The borrower must submit the DEAL Program Loan Request for Release of Cosigner form. 
  • The borrower must meet BND’s current credit and eligibility criteria in effect at the time the request is made.
  • The borrower must reside in the U.S.
  • The appropriate number of consecutive, regular on-time payments must have been made to BND. 
    • For DEAL One Loans disbursed on/after January 1, 2013, 48 consecutive, regular on-time payments are required. 
  • A regular on-time payment is a payment  received within 15 days of the due date while in repayment status. This does not include payments made during forbearance or deferment periods.
  • The payment counter restarts if there is a period of reduced payments, deferment, forbearance or a payment is received more than 15 days past the due date.

How long does the application process take?

The process length varies generally from three to four weeks, although the loan may be processed quicker than that. Here are some items you can do to help speed up the process: 

  • Upload and return documents promptly when requested by BND. 
  • Stay up to date on your application process using your portal account and take the associated steps when contacted by BND to ensure your loan application is processed as quickly as possible. 
  • Log in to your account when your loan final disclosure is available. View it and waive two of the three business days of your final disclosure receipt period. 

When will my other loans be paid off?

Loan payoffs will be made directly to all your lenders after BND has sent you the Final Loan Disclosure and the required time has passed. The loan payoffs are sent by BND directly to your lender(s).

You can see the “Steps for getting a loan” above.

Watch a short video about cosigning a student loan.

What is a cosigner?

A cosigner is a person who pledges to pay back the loan if you do not. If the borrower does not make payments when required, the cosigner is liable for repayment of the loan.

How does cosigning a loan affect your credit?

Cosigning a loan is an action that should never be taken lightly because it can have serious implications to your credit history. As the cosigner, the cosigned loan will appear on your credit report and can directly affect your credit as a debt owed.

Ideally, the person you cosign for is reliable, never late and never misses a payment. Your willingness to risk your credit helps the borrower get the loan and can help build a positive credit history for the borrower. If the person you cosigned for does not make payments, you are responsible for paying back the debt. The unpaid debt will appear on your credit report, seriously damaging your credit and perhaps your ability to qualify for new credit. If left unpaid, it could also lead to collection accounts and damage your creditworthiness.

Steps for cosigning a loan

  1. How does a cosigner apply?
    The cosigner can complete the cosigner application form at the same time the borrower applies if they are with the borrower as the borrower completes the application. If the cosigner needs to apply at a different time, the cosigner will receive an email from studentloans@nd.gov with a link to apply.
  2. Loan Approval Disclosure
    The Loan Approval Disclosure will provide you with important information about the loan you are agreeing to cosign. You do not need to do anything unless you would like to withdraw your application. Smart Money Tip
  3. Loan Final Disclosure
    The Loan Final Disclosure is the last step in the loan process and it gives you a final opportunity to cancel cosigning the loan without any penalty. If you want to continue as the cosigner of the loan, you do not need to do anything.

Repaying the student loan you cosigned

  • Loan repayment terms are based on the total amount being refinanced.
  • Loans that become 15 days delinquent will be assessed a late fee not to exceed 6% of the unpaid portion of the installment or a maximum of $15.00.
  • All loans are reported to consumer reporting agencies monthly. Loans that are 30 days delinquent or greater will be reported as late.
  • Automatic payments can be set up through the BND online portal. This can be updated by selecting Manage Recurring Payments under the Useful Links to the right of each loan. Alternatively, you can complete the Authorization for Automatic Payments form or call our office to have one of our representatives assist you. By signing up for automatic payments, you can: 
    • Decrease the interest rate by 0.25%
    • Choose a payment due date from the 1st through the 28th of the month
    • Avoid late fees
    • Build a positive credit history

If you are having difficulty repaying the loan you cosigned, contact us immediately. We can help review your current situation and discuss the options available.

Cosigner release
To be released as the cosigner from a loan, each of the following requirements must be met:

  • The borrower must submit the DEAL Program Loan Request for Release of Cosigner form.
  • The borrower must meet BND’s current credit and eligibility criteria in effect at the time the request is made.
  • The borrower must reside in the U.S.
  • The appropriate number of consecutive, regular on-time payments must have been made to BND.
    • For DEAL One Loans disbursed on/after January 1, 2013, 48 consecutive, regular on-time payments are required.
  • A regular on-time payment is a payment received within 15 days of the due date while in repayment status. This does not include payments made during forbearance or deferment periods.
  • The payment counter restarts if there is a period of reduced payments, deferment, forbearance or a payment is received more than 15 days past the due date.
How to Apply

Apply online by clicking “Apply now” below. If you have any questions, call 701.328.5660 or 833.397.0311, or start a live chat using the link in the lower right corner.

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