Half-Time Student - A student who is: (1) enrolled in a participating school; (2) carrying an academic workload that amounts to at least half of the workload of a full-time student, as determined by the school; and (3) not a full-time student. A student enrolled solely in an eligible program of study by correspondence is considered a half-time student.

HEA - The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

HEAL Program Loan - Health Education Assistance Loan, available to graduate health professional students.

Hearing - The orderly presentation of arguments and evidence before a Hearing Officer.

Hearing Officer - A person with no prior involvement in a dispute under the Limitation, Suspension, and Termination procedures. The Hearing Officer for any hearing will be selected by the guarantor.

Holder - An eligible lender in possession of a FFELP loan promissory note that is payable to or has been assigned to the lender. A federal or state agency or an organization or corporation acting on behalf of such an agency and acting as a conservator, liquidator, or receiver of an eligible lender may also be considered a holder.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) - A second mortgage filed on your home which is secured by the equity in the home. They are typically high interest but can be useful for making repairs or paying off high interest debt like credit cards. HELOC’s are typically revolving debts so using up more than half of the money available with hurt your credit scores.