H.E.L.P Loans | Iowa United Methodist Foundation

Loan Criteria | Application | HELP Program Booklet

H.E.L.P. is a program through the Iowa United Methodist Foundation that offers pastors a low interest rate to refinance the student loan debt they acquired while attending seminary. The Foundation has refinanced over half a million dollars through H.E.L.P. and has saved pastors thousands in interest payments!

The H.E.L.P. program is open for applications annually from June 1 to September 1. All required materials need to be sent to the Foundation and postmarked September 1 to be considered for the loan program.

Please refer to the Loan Criteria document for more details. Core criteria for loan consideration:

• • Applicants must be serving in the Iowa Annual Conference and have served for at least one year (3+ years preferred).
  • Loan recipients must enroll in or have completed IUMF’s financial education certification course (currently offering Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being).
  • Applicants must plan to serve in the Iowa Conference for the length of the loan.
  • Applicants must agree to all loan terms, including acknowledging that H.E.L.P. loans are not reported to credit bureaus and thus not eligible for federal forgiveness.