“It Just Works”: Loyola University Maryland’s Trusted Partnership With Nelnet

For David Alexander, Director of Student and Financial Services at Loyola University Maryland, the phrase “Nelnet just works” isn’t just a tagline, it’s a lived reality. With over two decades at Loyola, Dave has witnessed the evolution of student financial services. For the past six to seven years, Nelnet Campus Commerce has been a trusted partner in that journey.

“Everybody has been here for quite a long time… longevity is definitely the core of our team,” said Dave. “The Jesuit community has a philosophy of care for the whole person: It’s not just a job. It’s a great place to work. That’s why many people have been here for thirty-some years,” he added.

That longevity extends to Loyola’s relationship with Nelnet. Originally partnering through TMS, Loyola transitioned to Nelnet when the company acquired TMS, retaining the same trusted contacts and expanding their services.

“Nelnet bought our previous payment plan provider… and kept the same people. It was a no-brainer,” Dave explained.

One of the biggest challenges Dave’s team faces is affordability. With rising tuition costs and limited loan options, families often struggle to cover the gap between financial aid and actual expenses.

As he pointed out, “The biggest challenge is filling that gap for affordability… once financial aid works their magic, they come to us.”

Nelnet’s monthly payment plans have become a vital tool in addressing this challenge. With flexible options and easy setup, families can break tuition into manageable payments.

“We can work with you on a monthly payment plan… we can get a little creative with that,” noted Dave.

Loyola’s approach to payment plans is refreshingly student-centered. Families can customize their plan amounts, adjust payment dates, and even split responsibilities between multiple payers.

“We have it set up where they can make their payment plan for any amount they want… moms get a payment plan, dads get a payment plan,” said Dave.

This flexibility is especially valuable for students who don’t qualify for loans or prefer not to take them. Nelnet’s system allows Dave’s team to offer creative solutions that meet families’ unique needs.

For Dave, the true value of Nelnet lies in its reliability. The system is intuitive, stable, and seamlessly integrates with Loyola’s ERP—even one that’s over 40 years old.

That trust has led Loyola to expand its partnership. By 2027, Nelnet will handle all online payments for the university, which is a move driven by confidence in the platform’s performance and support.

Dave pointed out that the Loyola is switching ERPs. “It was a no-brainer. We’re just going to go with Nelnet,” he said.

Nelnet’s impact isn’t limited to families—it empowers Dave’s team too. From his assistant director to account specialists, staff members use Nelnet regularly to adjust plans, respond to student needs, and streamline operations.

“It’s super customizable… if a parent says, ‘I don’t get paid until the 15th,’ we can go in and switch it super easily,” said Dave.

Even past-due accounts are handled with care. Loyola offers extended payment plans through Nelnet before sending students to collections—a solution that emerged from a casual conversation with their Nelnet rep.

“Todd brought up the past-due payment plan… it just came out of conversations. Now we’ve got a bunch of people using it,” he adds.

• 6-7 years of partnership
• 20% of students use Nelnet payment plans each semester
• Millions in tuition processed annually
• Full transition to Nelnet for online payments by 2027

When asked what advice he’d give to other universities considering Nelnet, Dave’s response is simple: “Know how your system works and what you want to do, and then approach Nelnet with that. I’m sure you guys will be able to make it work.”

With 20% of Loyola’s students using Nelnet payment plans each semester and millions of dollars processed annually, Dave points out that the results speak for themselves.

Loyola University Maryland’s experience with Nelnet Campus Commerce is a testament to what happens when technology meets trust. From flexible payment plans to approachable support, Nelnet helps Dave and his team do what they do best—serve students.

Discover how Nelnet Campus Commerce can help your institution simplify payments, support families, and build trust. Explore our solutions today.