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Private (Non-Federal) Alternative Loans

NYU students should apply for all eligible financial assistance available before considering a private, alternative loan. Private loan interest rates, terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will vary, and the borrower (and co-borrower, if applicable) should first compare a variety of private student loans offered by banks and other education loan providers and apply only for the alternative loan that best suits their needs.

Please think carefully about your obligations as a borrower before pursuing any educational loan. Consider your educational investment at NYU, as well as your long-term financial commitments when borrowing.

A non-federal private loan may be an appropriate choice for you, if:

  • You have applied for the maximum amount of all federal loans suggested to you and still have a difference between the cost of attendance and the total financial aid you have received.

  • You are a dependent undergraduate student and your parents will not borrow (or have been denied) a Federal PLUS Loan (see also the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan).

  • U.S. government regulations make you ineligible for a federal loan. You may still qualify for a private loan because such programs are not bound by the same federal restrictions. For example, if you are not making satisfactory academic progress, are in default on a federal loan, did not respond to verification requests, are enrolled for less than 6 points, or are ineligible for federal loans for other reasons, you may be eligible for private loans instead.

  • You are in arrears for a semester prior to the current semester. You may be able to receive a private loan for an earlier loan period.

  • You are an international student with limited borrowing alternatives. (See our notice to international students below.)

Some private loans do not have full deferment options. It is best to borrow only the amount that you absolutely require. Also note that such loans are for educational purposes only, which means you must be a registered student and the amount you borrow cannot exceed the cost of attendance. (Specific alternative loan programs may have fixed minimum and maximum amounts for which you can apply.) There are no maximum income restrictions. Individual lenders will evaluate credit history. Application fees are not refundable.

If you decide to apply for a private educational loan, you must provide all documentation requested by the lender and follow their application instructions.

Below is a randomly sorted reference list of all lenders that have provided private education loans to NYU students during the past several years. New York University does not prefer, recommend, promote, endorse, or suggest any of these lenders. You are not required to borrow from any of the lenders appearing below and there is no penalty for selecting a different lender, if you prefer. (Processing delays may result only if another lender you select has not previously authorized NYU to certify a loan.) We encourage you to compare information among these and other available student loan providers. (See our information about Lenders and Guarantors.) For application instructions and details about terms and conditions, refer to the lender's website via the links provided or contact them by phone.

* indicates loans for eligible international students


     Ehrlich Student Loan, telephone: 1-312-444-2867

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     New York University Federal Credit Union, phone: 212-995-3171

    DISCLAIMER: Because New York University is the sponsoring organization of the NYU Federal Credit Union, its field of membership is limited to individuals who are connected to the University (such as students or employees and their immediate families). However, NYU and the NYUFCU are not affiliated and the NYUFCU acts as a completely independent lender for all purposes.

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     Chase Select Student Loan, toll-free: 1-866-306-0868

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     Signal FCU Loan, toll-free: 1-866-614-7830

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     Union Federal Private Loan, toll-free: 1-866-513-8445

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     Nova Scotia Student Loan, telephone: 1-902-424-8420

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     Wells Fargo Student Loan, toll-free: 1-800-658-3567

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     Star Credit Union Loan, toll-free: 1-800-522-6611

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     Elevations Credit Union Loan, Toll-Free: 1-866-216-1604

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     Citibank CitiAssist Student Loan, toll-free: 1-800-967-2400

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     CHESLA Student Loan, toll-free: 1-800-935-2275

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     Polish and Slavic Federal Credit Union, toll-free: 1-800-206-8503

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     MELA Loan, toll-free: 1-800-922-6352

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     Discover Student Loan, toll-free: 1-877-728-3030

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     Citizens Bank TruFit Student Loan, toll-free: 1-800-708-6684

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     * HSBC Global Loan, toll-free: 1-877-850-4722

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     RISLA Student Loan, toll-free: 1-800-758-7562

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     Affinity Private Loan, toll-free: 1-800-737-5115

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     Northwest Federal Credit Union, toll-free: 1-800-349-9470

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     SunTrust Custom Choice Loan, toll-free: 1-866-232-3889

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     Credit Union Student Choice, phone: n/a

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     Pentagon Federal Loan, toll-free: 1-800-247-5626

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     * Credila Education Loan, toll-free: 1-800-209-3636

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     Digital Credit Union, toll-free: 1-800-324-1589

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     UMASS Federal Credit Union, toll-free: 1-866-266-3832

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     VSAC Student Loan, toll-free: 1-800-798-8722

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     * UFSB Stern International Loan

The NYU Stern School of Business has collaborated with The First Marblehead Corporation and Union Federal Savings Bank to create a loan program for eligible international Stern graduate students with no co-signer required. For more information, please contact the Stern Graduate School financial aid office at fin-aid@stern.nyu.edu or call us at 212-998-0790.

    DISCLAIMER: Mr. William R. Berkley, a Vice Chair and Trustee of NYU, is Lead Director and a shareholder of The First Marblehead Corporation, which is the facilitator of this loan program and the parent company of both the lender, Union Federal Savings Bank, and the loan processor, First Marblehead Education Resources, Inc. Mr. Berkley disclosed his relationships to both NYU and First Marblehead, and has confirmed that he has not participated and will not participate in any aspect of the loan program on behalf of NYU, First Marblehead or their affiliates. NYU's Board of Trustees followed its conflict of interest policy in approving this loan program and will continue to follow such policy as it may apply in connection with this loan program.

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     * Global Student Loan, phone: 212-736-9666

In accordance with the lender's criteria, this loan is currently available only to students from India.

    DISCLAIMER: Dr. Keith Jepsen, President of Global Student Loan Corporation, was formerly NYU's Director of Financial Aid. Barry Fingerhut, a current member of the NYU Stern School Board of Overseers, is a director and shareholder of EduFund International, the parent company of Global Student Loan Corporation as well as of GSLC. Mr. Fingerhut does not receive compensation for his service on these boards, and is not involved in discussions or decisions with respect to these loans.

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     MEFA Loan, toll-free: 1-800-449-6332

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     NJCLASS Loan, toll-free: 1-800-792-8670

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     Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan, toll-free: 1-888-272-5543

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     Alaska Advantage Loan, toll-free: 1-800-441-2962

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     PNC Student Loan, toll-free: 1-800-762-1001

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     DEAL Loan, toll-free: 1-800-472-2166

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     Suncoast Credit Union Loan, toll-free: 1-866-558-3332

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Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification:

Federal government regulations require that a lender must obtain a self-certification signed by the loan applicant before disbursing a private education loan. Student borrowers must complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form (which is provided by the lender as part of the application process) and return it to the lender (do not send it to NYU).

> Read more about Self-Certification.

NOTICE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:

The list of private lenders below includes those that provide education loans specifically to international students. (However, not all international students will be eligible for every international loan program listed.) Before you investigate these and other sources of international student loan funding (we advise you to check with your home country), consider first whether you are eligible for U.S. federal student aid (see Citizenship). If you are eligible, it is in your best interest to pursue federal student financial aid opportunities first (begin by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Next, you may find more favorable loan terms and conditions by applying instead for a U.S. domestic private loan with a creditworthy U.S. co-signer. In any event, you are free to choose any lender that makes loans to students attending New York University.

> See also: Resources for International Students

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