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

Loan Criteria | Application | HELP Program Booklet

The Foundation has already refinanced over half a million dollars to pastors with student loan debt through the Higher Education Loan Partners (H.E.L.P.) program. H.E.L.P. is a program through the Iowa United Methodist Foundation that helps pastors by offering a low interest rate to refinance the student loan debt they acquired while attending seminary.

The H.E.L.P. program is open 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 H.E.L.P. description document for more detailed criteria. Core criteria for loan consideration:

• Applicants who have served the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for at least three years will have top priority, but those with at least one year of service will be considered.
• Loan recipients must enroll in or have completed the IUMF’s financial education certification course for faith leaders.
• Applicants must plan to actively serve in the Iowa Conference for the length of the loan.
• Applicants must agree to all loan terms, including acknowledgement that H.E.L.P. loans are not reported to credit bureaus and thus not eligible for federal forgiveness.