Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) and UW Credit Union Partner on Student Loan Refinancing Program

MADISON, Wis. (July 27, 2017) — The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) and UW Credit Union are partnering to offer Wisconsin alumni a chance to save money by refinancing their student loans. UW Credit Union is the only financial institution that WAA is partnering with on the student loan refinancing program.

“Student loans are a common financial responsibility for graduates. Refinancing these loans can often offer savings opportunities and at times shorten the time in which alumni can pay the balance off,” said Lisa Girdharry, chief marketing officer. “We’re delighted to be able to work with WAA to offer Wisconsin alumni this program.” Since January 1, 2014, UW Credit Union has refinanced over $12 million in student loans for more than 400 UW-Madison alumni with an average interest rate reduction of 2%.

UW Credit Union is committed to the success of students, graduates and all consumers in the communities it serves. In 2016, the organization advanced $20.2 million for the refinancing of student loans, which represents a 136% increase over the prior year. Plus, in the first three months of 2017, UW Credit Union advanced $6.9 million for the refinancing of student loans, which represents a 117% increase over the prior year.

WAA serves an alumni population some 400,000 strong through an array of award-winning programs, services and publications. In addition to staying connected to the university, enrollees will help support initiatives that benefit alumni, such as learning programs and WAA’s alumni career resources. The WAA and UW Credit Union formed a partnership in 2016 to offer University of Wisconsin credit and debit cards.

“We’re proud to be an exclusive partner with UW Credit Union on this program,” said Sarah Schutt, Chief Alumni Officer and Executive Director of the WAA. “This provides an opportunity for alumni to save money on their student loans by refinancing it with an organization they know and trust.”

To learn more, please visit uwcu.org or uwalumni.com.

About UW Credit Union
UW Credit Union is a growing, federally insured financial institution and a leading provider of a full range of financial services to University of Wisconsin communities. UW Credit Union's 515 employees serve the financial needs of more than 229,000 members through world-class technology systems, and through a convenient network of 24 branch locations and over 100 ATMs. With assets totaling $2.5 billion, UW Credit Union is ranked nationally among the leading credit unions. Founded more than 85 years ago by members of the University of Wisconsin community, UW Credit Union continues to operate as a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with locations in the Madison, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Whitewater and La Crosse areas. Visit UW Credit Union at uwcu.org to learn more.

About the Wisconsin Alumni Association
Founded in 1861 to promote the welfare of the University of Wisconsin and serve the interests of its graduates, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) connects, enriches, and serves a growing number of alumni to help facilitate their support of each other and the university. WAA is a division of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing UW-Madison. For more information, please visit uwalumni.com.