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How to Apply for a Private Alternative Loan

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  • These are long term loans not based on need. Eligibility is determined based on credit worthiness and ability to pay.  These loans are available to student borrowers to help bridge the gap between financial aid and the cost of attendance.
  • They must be initiated with the lender of your choice and then the school will be notified for certification. Like the PLUS Loan, you or your parents may borrow up to the cost of education less any other financial aid awarded.
  • Some of the more commonly used loan programs are listed in the table below. You may obtain applications and get more specific information about these programs by clicking on the links below. Lenders are reviewed each year on the basis of customer service and borrower benefits as well as their ability to meet the overall needs of students.You are not required to borrow from one of the lenders listed below.
  • Learn more about Elon's Code of Conduct.

NJ Classwww.hesaa.org 800-792-8670
Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loanwww.salliemae.com/elon 888-272-5543
CitiAssistwww.studentloan.com/privatestudentloan
 
800-967-2400
Wells Fargo Collegiate Loanwww.wellsfargo.com/student 800-658-3567
Discoverwww.discoverstudentloans.com 877-728-3030
National Education Smart Option Loan by Sallie Maehttp://borrowers.nationaleducation.com 800-353-3357
Fifth Third Bankhttp://web.53educationlending.com 800-222-7192
SunTrust Custom Choice Loanwww.suntrusteducation.com/customchoice 866-232-3889

PRIVATE ALTERNATIVE LOAN COMPARISONS


1)    NJ Class

  • US or eligible non-citizen.
  • New Jersey resident attending an approved school.
  • Enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program.
  • Maintain SAP.
  • Parents may borrow on behalf of the student.
  • 7. 62 percent for immediate repayment and 7.62 percent for interest only repayment.
  • Only a 2 percent loan fee.
  • Loan Application Disclosure
  • Grad Loan Application Disclosure

2)    Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan

  • Pricing that rewards good credit.
  • Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may help obtain a lower interest rate.
  • The borrower may apply for cosigner release after the successful completion of their education.
  • A 0.25 percent interest rate reduction is available for automatic debit.
  • Combined billing is available for Sallie Mae serviced loans.
  • Interest rates are variable and are based on the one month Libor index.
  • Zero to 5 percent disbursement fees.  No repayment fees.
  • Loan Application Disclosure

3)    CitiAssist

  • Full suite of private loan products for undergraduate, graduate, health, and law students.
  • Competitive interest rates.
  • Fees as low as 0.00%.
  • No payments while in school.
  • Grace period after graduation.
  • Apply with a creditworthy co-signer to increase your chance of approval and/or qualify for a better interest rate.
  • Must be enrolled at least part-time at an approved university.
  • Loan Application Disclosure


4)    Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan

  • No payments during school
  • Easy online application with quick credit decision
  • Choose fixed or variable interest rate
  • Fixed rates as low as 7.24% as of April 1, 2012
  • Variable rate as low as 3.40% APR as of April 1, 2012(Prime* + 0.25%, to Prime + 6.74%)
  • Reduce interest rate up to 1.00%
  • No application, origination, or early repayment fees
  • Loan forgiveness in the event of a student beneficiary’s death or total permanent disability
  • Co-signer Release Option available after 24 consecutive on-time payments
  • Applying with cosigner helps ensure lowest interest rate and fastest approval process
  • Loan Application Disclosure

5)   Discover

  • Interest Rate: Prime plus .5 percent to Prime plus 7.75 percent
  • No origination, guarantor, or prepayment fees
  • 0.25 percent interest rate reduction for automatic withdrawals from bank account
  • 2 percent interest rate Graduation Reward base on your outstanding principle balance
  • Must be U.S. citizen
  • A co-signer may be required
  • Enrollment: You must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree seeking program
  • Loans can be certified for balances incurred within last six months
  • Satisfactory academic required
  • Annual maximum: Cost of attendance less other aid
  • No payments required while enrolled at least half-time
  • Six month grace period
  • Repayment up to 15 years
  • Loan Application Disclosure

 

6)  National Education Smart Option Loan by Sallie Mae

  • The borrower may apply for cosigner release after successful completion of their education
  • A 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction is available for automatic debit
  • Join Upromise® by Sallie Mae at Upromise.com, and you can use the rewards you earn on your everyday purchases to help automatically pay down your eligible Sallie Mae-serviced loans with Upromise Loan Link®
  • Pricing that rewards good credit
  • Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may help you qualify and/or receive a lower interest rate 
  • Pay a little now, save a lot later by making interest-only payments while in school. Students complete their education with less debt and avoid capitalized interest
  • Easy online application and 24/7 online account management
  • Available for U.S. citizens in study abroad programs and U.S. citizens studying at medical schools outside the U.S.
  • Loan Application Disclosure

7)  Fifth Third Bank

  • Competitive interest rates— 2.75% APR to 10.23% APR
  • No origination fees
  • Pay now or later—defer your payments until after school or choose an in-school repayment option that fits your needs
  • Borrow up to 100% of your school certified education costs (minimum $1,000)
  • Get a 2% Smart Reward® in your Upromise® account when you make scheduled monthly payments on time while in school (Not available with Deferred Repayment Option)
  • Earn a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction while enrolled to make scheduled monthly payment by automatic debit
  • Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may help you qualify and/or receive a lower interest rate. You can apply for a cosigner release after you graduate and make 12 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments.
  • Loan Application Disclosure

8) SunTrust Custom Choice Loan

  • Choose a fixed rate student loan with predictable monthly payments, or a variable-rate loan.
  • Ability to view current rates and calculate different loan scenarios online before committing to a loan type.
  • Choice of repayment terms: Immediate Repayment, Interest-Only Repayment, Partial Interest Payment, or Full Deferment.
  • Choice of repayment plans: You can choose from a 5, 10, 15 or 20 year repayment plan.
  • 1% principal reduction per loan at graduation.
  • 0.25% interest rate reduction for automatic withdrawal of payments from a bank account.
  • Additional 0.25% interest rate reduction for automatic withdrawal from a SunTrust bank account.
  • Cosigner release option available.
  • Loan Application Disclosure