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Private Loans

Private Student Loans

Private loan programs are non-federal educational loans through a private lender that allows students to borrow additional funds after federal student aid has been exhausted. Students should apply for a private loan with a creditworthy co-signor to ensure the best rates, terms, approvals.

Each lender has different eligibility requirements, interest rates, fees, and repayment terms. For example, some lenders may require students to be enrolled at least half-time in a degree granting program, while different lenders may lend to a student that is non-degree or enrolled less than half-time. Some lenders require payments while students are still in school. Private loans cannot be consolidated with federal loans for payment purposes.

IMPORTANT:

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You have the right to select the private lender of your choice. The following link for ELM Select is a private loan search engine where you can search and compare different lenders and loan products. Neither Shepherd University nor the Office of Financial Aid intends any specific endorsement of these lenders.

Compare Federal Parent (PLUS) loans and Private Student loans:

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Private student loans
Eligibility
Borrower Parent Student and cosigner (if required); cosigner can be parent, relative, or willing sponsor
Enrollment At least half-time and degree seeking Full-time, half-time, less than half-time; degree seeking depending on lender; past due option may be available depending on lender
Credit Requirements Credit check required; approval determined by federal criteria and is not based on credit score; additional unsubsidized loan may be awarded to dependent undergraduate student based on credit denial Credit check required; approval determined by lender criteria based on credit score, credit history, and income (if credit-worthy applicant or cosigner required) dependent undergraduate students are likely to need a credit-worthy cosigner
Annual loan limit May borrow up to the cost of education less other aid received May borrow up to the cost of education less other aid received
Aggregate loan limit None Amount depends on lender
Cost
Interest rates 7.54% fixed Fixed and/or variable interest rate options available depending on lender
Origination Fees 4.228% (beginning Oct. 1, 2022) Fees may or may not apply depending on lender
Borrower benefits 0.25% interest rate reduction for electronic debit account repayment Borrower benefits available to reduce interest rates and overall loan costs; check with lender for availability and types of benefits available; cosigner release option; check with lender for availability and eligibility
 Repayment
Servicer U.S. Department of Education Determined by lender contracted services
Repayment terms 10 year repayment; May request deferment of payment while in school; 6 month grace period Typically 15-25 years; determined by lender
Grace period See “Repayment terms” 6-to-9 month grace period after enrollment ends depending on lender
Loan consolidation Can be consolidated with other federal education loans (i.e., Perkins and Stafford) through the Federal Direct Loan Consolidation Program Private loan consolidation may be available; check with lender for availability
Loan forgiveness options Loan forgiven in the event of permanent disability or death of student; Public Service Loan Forgiveness Loan may be forgiven in the event of permanent disability or death of student; check with lenders for availability
Repayment options Various repayment options available, including graduated, standard, and extended; Deferment and forbearance available Standard and interest-only options as well as forbearance options may be available; check with lender for specifics

What’s The Bottom Line For Students And Families?

All students should make an informed decision before deciding on a loan.

*Source: myFICO.com

Online Enrollment Verifications Are Available Now!
Also Available: Check Your Loan Deferment Status Online!

RAIL offers enrollment verification for loan companies. This free self-service option is based on an agreement between Shepherd University and the National Student Loan Clearinghouse (NSLC), which already provides enrollment and degree verification for Shepherd University as well as for most colleges and universities nationwide.

Log on to RAIL
Click on “Student Services and Financial Aid”
Click on “Student Records”
Click on “Request Enrollment Verification”
Click on “Request Enrollment Verification for (your name).” (This step will send you to another secure website.)
Click on “Obtain an Enrollment Certificate”
View and/or print your enrollment verification certificate.