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Liaison and Juno Join Forces to Expand Loan Choices for Health Professions Applicants

In response to diminishing federal funding for students in health profession programs, Liaison—a well-known technology provider in higher education—has recently announced an exclusive collaboration with Juno, a platform focused on negotiating student loans. This partnership is particularly timely, given that recent federal policy changes, including the reclassification of certain programs and the cessation of Grad PLUS loans, have pushed many students into a seemingly complex private loan market.

The partnership will enable students applying through Liaison's Centralized Application Service (CAS) network to access a variety of vetted private loan options. With federal funding becoming increasingly scarce, providing students with transparent and competitive loan alternatives is crucial. By leveraging a collective bargaining strategy, Juno aims to secure attractive loan discounts for a vast pool of applicants, granting them the ability to compare multiple private loan offerings with ease.

Students can look forward to a free membership that allows them to check rates from various lenders without impacting their credit scores. Additionally, the entire process carries no cost and places no obligation on students to accept any particular loan offer. Each year, Juno will facilitate negotiations among lenders, with new rates emerging by June, allowing students ample time to make informed choices before the next academic year.

Importantly, this collaboration does not favor private loans over federal options or scholarships but aims to provide a valuable alternative for applicants. Liaison will continue promoting all financial aid sources, including federal aid and scholarships, while also directing students towards this newly available private loan resource. Their Explore Health Careers website and partnerships with educational associations will provide further guidance to students navigating these options, ensuring they are well-informed.

George Haddad, the Founder and CEO of Liaison, expressed the company's commitment to assisting health professions students during these turbulent times. He stated, "For years, health profession students have depended on federal programs to fill the funding gap resulting from tuition and limited scholarship opportunities. With these options now diminishing, it is essential that we assist applicants in navigating the often confusing private loan landscape. Partnering with Juno enables us to share negotiated offers with students without steering them away from other funding sources. Our mission is straightforward: we want to prevent future healthcare practitioners from being forced into high-cost loans out of ignorance."

In addition to competitive rates, Juno's model boasts several borrower-friendly features, including cash-back incentives, rate matching, and even loans that do not require a co-signer or proof of income. By pooling demand across large student populations, Juno negotiates terms that individual borrowers typically struggle to obtain.

As Chris Abkarians, Co-Founder of Juno, commented, “The students most affected by these changes are those training to address critical shortages in healthcare—physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and nurses, among others. The reality now is not whether these students will need to borrow but whether they will do so with the leverage of a collective community helping them secure competitive rates.”

Ultimately, this partnership between Liaison and Juno signifies a transformative approach to financing education in health professions. As students increasingly rely on private loans, accessing competitive, negotiated offers can make a significant difference in their financial journey and future career trajectories. The commitment of both organizations to empower students through informed decision-making will pave the way for a new era in educational financing, ensuring that aspiring healthcare professionals have the resources they need to focus on their studies and careers without the overwhelming burden of debt.

About Liaison: Liaison has been at the forefront of higher education technology for over 35 years, serving more than 1,500 institutions globally. Their advanced solutions help universities achieve sustainable enrollment, backed by exceptional support.

About Juno: Founded in 2018, Juno aims to lower student loan costs for a community exceeding 287,000 members, successfully negotiating over $1 billion in student loans. Their expertise spans various professional fields, making their services invaluable for students navigating their financial futures.