Private Education Loan
Private Education Loans are made by private organizations such as banks, credit unions, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations, and have terms and conditions that are set by the lender.
Before Applying For A Private Education Loan
- Grants and scholarships should be utilized before any borrowing, and work-study programs should be considered.
- Federal student loans (Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized) as well as Federal PLUS Loans and state loan programs (see College Access Loan page) may be available to you and should be fully explored while making a decision about private education loans. TCU encourages all students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be considered for all available aid programs before utilizing loans.
- When making loan applications please make sure to apply for the loan amount needed for the full academic year (fall and spring). Funds are split evenly between semesters ensuring optimum aid eligibility.
Which type of loan is right for me?
- Almost without exception, undergraduate students do not have sufficient credit to qualify for a private loan without a credit-worthy cosigner. It is always beneficial to have a cosigner on these loans. Cosigners are equally liable for the loan when repayment begins. If a parent has been denied the Federal PLUS Loan due to credit issues, that parent will not qualify as a cosigner for a private loan.
Wall Street Journal article: Five Things to Know Before Co-Signing a Student Loan
- Be sure to read all of the eligibility requirements for a loan before you apply, and make sure you meet the criteria. Some loans require students to have full-time enrollment, some require a certain major, while others require a student to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress, etc. After reading the descriptions of each lender’s product(s), call the lender or contact TCU Financial Aid if you have questions about which program(s) might be right for you.
- TCU will process student loan applications from any legitimate lender. TCU students and families DO NOT have to select one of the lenders on the list below. These lenders are being recommended by TCU due to their past customer service records with our customers, competitive loan terms, and ease of application processing.
For information regarding using these funds for summer school, please see summer financial aid.