Private loans or alternative loans are non-federal loans that students may use to help fund the cost of their education. Private loans are credit-based and may have fixed interest rates or variable interest rates (meaning the rate can increase over time).
Borrowing
Students may borrow up to the cost of attendance less any financial aid. Private Loans should be used as a last resort to fund your education. Private loan borrowers are required to submit a Self-Certification Form with the lender. This contains required lender disclosures.
You will need to provide information about your cost of attendance, your expected family contribution, and your estimated financial assistance. This information may be found on WebCat , your award letter, or by contacting the Office of Financial Aid.
Please read all loan disclosures from your lender to understand the term and conditions of the loan and your repayment responsibilities.
Disclaimer
The UNH College of Professional Studies does not promote or endorse any private lender and does not provide a preferred lender list. Students are allowed by federal law to select the lender of their choice, but must notify the Office of Financial Aid of their selection, if approved. Please contact us to discuss your options to ensure all federal student aid has been exhausted before applying for private assistance. The UNH College of Professional Studies Office of Financial Aid strongly encourages the use of all federal, state, and institutional aid programs identified through the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before applying for any private loan option. The borrowing of all Federal Direct Loans should be maximized before exploring a private loan option. Research all your possibilities for scholarships, grants, work study and Direct PLUS programs before borrowing a private loan.
You may need a creditworthy co-signer in order to obtain the best possible rate and conditions for a private loan.