Attigo is the most trusted source for student loan repayment support.
We partner with organizations to support higher education achievement, long-term financial wellness, and student loan repayment success. Our solutions are backed by Ascendium®, a mission-driven nonprofit with 55+ years of deep student loan expertise. Our knowledge of federal student loan policy, programs, and servicing is unmatched in the industry. We simplify the complex and provide expert insight and counseling to help tens of millions of people achieve student loan repayment success.
Ascendium Historical Highlights
In 1967, the Higher Educational Aids Board established the Wisconsin Higher Education Corporation (WHEC), the precursor of today’s Ascendium, as Wisconsin’s guarantor.
Over the next 35 years:
- Student loan repayment servicing attracts lenders, and the program starts gaining momentum.
- WHEC begins to operate as an independent self-administered nonprofit, expands into markets beyond Wisconsin, and eventually changes its name to Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates.
- Great Lakes introduces a default rehabilitation program to help borrowers avoid the negative long-term consequences of default.
As a guarantor, Ascendium managed a $51 billion loan portfolio, working with 6,000 schools, 1,100 lenders, and 10 million borrowers.
In mid-2026, Ascendium transferred its guaranty responsibilities to Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) to further focus on student success and financial wellness solutions.
In 2004, Great Lakes established the Community Investments division to oversee its corporate philanthropy dedicated to helping students get to and through college.
Over the next 15 years:
- Great Lakes grows its guaranteed loan portfolio, adds affiliates to its family, and becomes the designated guarantor for other states.
- Great Lakes launches Attigo, a suite of student success products.
- Nelnet Inc. acquired Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc. Ascendium Education Group is formed, consisting of student loan guaranty services, education philanthropy (formerly Community Investments), Attigo and NorthStar.
In addition to being a trusted expert, Ascendium is a leading postsecondary education philanthropy that invests over $100 million annually to make education and training beyond high school a reality for learners from low-income backgrounds. We believe in the power of education to transform lives and are motivated to help people reach their highest potential.
In 2018, we became Ascendium.
- Ascendium enters the employee benefit market, bringing its wealth of experience and trustworthy student loan knowledge to the workforce through employers.
- Co-Pay Partners is launched in conjunction with the CARES Act, which makes employer contributions to an employee’s student loans, up to $5,250 annually tax free through 2025.
- Throughout the student loan payment pause (March 2020-October 2023), Ascendium’s counseling and guidance are paramount to keeping borrowers informed about the state of their student loans, repayment, and forgiveness options.
