A.M. Money Student Loans: 2024 Review

A.M. Money features

Until it paused its loan program, A.M. Money offered private student loans to students at 15 partnering universities, all located in the Midwest. Unlike most private student loan lenders, A.M. Money bases eligibility on academic performance and GPA rather than creditworthiness. Plus, it offers income-based repayment plans for those struggling to make their monthly payments, which is a rare perk among private lenders.

While its eligibility requirements, repayment options and financial aid resources are its standout features, A.M. Money currently has limited reach — most of its partner schools are in Illinois — and it does not typically lend to students before their junior year. However, it will lend to some second semester sophomores in some limited cases.

A.M. Money: In the details

A.M. Money student loan requirements

For a private student loan with A.M. Money, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be at least the age of majority in your state of residence.
• Attend an eligible school.
• Make satisfactory academic progress as determined by the school.
• Be in at least the third year of your undergraduate program or be in a graduate program.
• Have an above-average GPA.
• Be Pell-eligible or near Pell-eligible.

Who is this loan good for?

A.M. Money student loans are a good option for students who have already maxed out federal financial aid, especially if A.M. Money’s fixed interest rates are lower than what you’d qualify for with other lenders without a co-signer.

It’s a particularly good choice for borrowers who can demonstrate financial need. A.M. Money only accepts borrowers who are (or are nearly) eligible for a Pell Grant, and its relief-based repayment plan can help those who don’t have a high income after graduation. Because these loans are based on merit and not credit score, they can also be a good choice for those with a low-credit score.

Interest rates and terms

A.M. Money offers only fixed interest rates on its student loans, and it does not advertise any discounts.

Fees and penalties

A.M. Money charges a 4.5 percent origination fee on all of its loans. This is a percentage of your total loan amount that is added to your balance.

There are no prepayment or early payment fees. However, you may be required to make a late payment fee if you miss your due date once your loan is in repayment.

Repayment terms and grace period

A.M. Money loans have a six-month grace period after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment.

When it comes to repayment terms, A.M. Money doesn’t offer as many options as some other private lenders. There’s only one 10-year repayment term, although borrowers may choose to sign up for the income-based repayment plan. 

Unlike IBR plans for federal loans, A.M. Money sets your payments at 15 percent of your discretionary income, with a $50 minimum monthly payment. While this plan doesn’t have the same benefits as federal income-driven repayment plans, it’s a unique option among private lenders. 

Keep in mind that the income-based repayment plan does not forgive any student loan debt, so this plan could significantly increase the time it takes you to pay off your loans.

How to apply for a loan with A.M. Money

You can apply for a student loan through A.M. Money directly on the company’s website. The application process takes less than three minutes. 

1. To prequalify, you’ll provide your name, email address, phone number, school, academic year, GPA and desired loan amount.
2. During the full application, be prepared to provide your Social Security number, income details, financial aid information and more. 
3. Application review takes about 24 hours once all required documents have been submitted. 

It can take from three to four weeks for funding to be disbursed, largely dependent on how long it takes your school to review and approve your funding package.

Currently, A.M. Money has temporarily suspended funding. You can still complete the prequalification form. Once funding resumes, A.M. Money should reach out to you with more details.

Customer service

If you have questions about A.M. Money’s loans, you can call the lender at 312-262-2498 or email a customer service representative at Info@A-M.Money.

You can also send a message through the company’s online contact form or send correspondence to 192 N Wells St. #131, Chicago, Illinois, 60606.

A.M. Money frequently asked questions

Methodology

The Bankrate team evaluated over a dozen lenders to select our top picks for the best student loans. To do this, Bankrate considers 14 factors, including loan amounts, fees, repayment terms and options, as well as fixed and variable APR ranges. Then, lenders are rated using our vetting system known as the Bankrate Score, which focuses on three main categories.

• Availability: We looked at minimum and maximum loan amounts, as well as the lender’s eligibility requirements, co-signer option, degrees covered and state availability. Lenders that offered the most flexibility as well as nationwide servicing and that offered financing for a variety of programs ranked higher in this section.
• Affordability: Fixed and variable interest rates, fees, penalties and discounts were measured in this category. Lenders with the lowest rates, fewer fees and multiple discounts got the higher scores.
• Customer experience: Our team looked at the ease of the application process, as well as online account management tools, customer support hours, app availability, repayment options and grace periods offered by the lenders. This allowed us to determine the lenders’ ability to satisfactorily serve customers.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.