DULUTH, Minn.–Northern Communities Credit Union said it has selected CU Student Choiceto provide its members with higher education financing solutions.

The $108-million credit union has more than 6,700 members and will offer Student Choice’s flagship education line of credit for undergraduate students.

“We proudly refer to our credit union as ‘NCCYou’ because everything focuses on YOU – the member,” NCCU President and CEO Trina Hoff said in a statement. “We understand the stress families face due to the high costs of college education, which is why we now offer a unique education line of credit to help them borrow responsibly for college. From student loans to mortgages to retirement planning, NCCYou is truly here for our members at every stage of life.”

‘Stepping Up’

Added Scott Patterson, president and CEO of Student Choice, in a statement, “While government policy regarding federal student loans remains a bit uncertain, credit unions like Northern Communities Credit Union are stepping up to provide private student lending solutions from a trusted, local source. “NCCYou has been serving Minnesotans since 1928, and our data shows a private student loan can lead to a valuable, lifelong member relationship.”

Student Choice said it enables credit unions of all sizes to make private education loans that are held on their own balance sheet. Since launching in 2008, the CUSO reported it has helped more than 300 partner credit unions originate nearly $5 billion in private education loans, assisting 130,000 families in the process.