Union Federal Savings Bank (UFSB), a subsidiary of Boston-based First Marblehead Corp., has begun accepting applications for its Union Federal Private Student Loan and prepGATE Education Loan.

The education loan programs, based on First Marblehead’s Monogram product platform, are intended to help finance the cost of higher education as well as primary and secondary education, according to a statement.

"The successful launch of our UFSB branded programs represents an important turning point for both UFSB and First Marblehead," said Daniel Meyers, CEO, First Marblehead. "First, it provides an avenue for the bank to acquire high quality assets which are key to UFSB’s profitability; and second, it provides us with an opportunity to grow franchise value through our own national platform and products."