Private Alternative Student Loans

The Financial Aid Office at East Carolina University offers all qualified, FAFSA filers all appropriate federal and state aid.  While they may be an option to cover costs, we do not ever recommend specific private loans or lenders.

A Private Alternative Student Loan is a non-federal loan provided by an outside resource such as a bank or lending institution.  Applications are submitted directly to the lender you choose. Interest rates as well as terms and conditions vary among lenders. Approval of a Private Alternative Student Loan is based on you and/or your cosigner’s (if required) credit worthiness.

Private Education Loan Self-Certification

What is a private education loan self-certification form?
Description: The federal Truth in Lending Act requires a lender to obtain a self-certification signed by the applicant before disbursing a private education loan. The school is required on request to provide the form or the required information only for students admitted or enrolled at the school. Self-Certification Form (PDF)

Private Education Loan Applicant Information:

  • Free or lower-cost Title IV federal, state, or school student financial aid may be available in place of, or in addition to, a private education loan.
  • To apply for Title IV federal grants, loans, and work-study, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at fafsa.gov, or by calling:1-800-4-FED-AID, or from the school’s financial aid office.
  • A private education loan may reduce eligibility for free or lower-cost federal, state, or school student financial aid.
  • You are STRONGLY encouraged to pursue the availability of free or lower-cost financial aid with the school’s financial aid office.
  • The financial information required to complete the above form can be obtained from the school’s financial aid office. If the lender has provided this information, you should contact your school’s financial aid office to verify this information and to discuss your financing options.

Frequently Used Private Alternative Student Loan Lenders

  • Campus Door, Inc. acts as the lending agent for a variety of Credit Unions via the Student Choice app. If you are a member of a Credit Union you may want to visit their website to see if your Credit Union participates.
  • LendKey acts as the lending agent for a variety of banks who offer private student loans.
  • Sallie Mae Student Loans offers a SMART Options Student Loan for undergraduates, as well as graduate student loans, and health professions student loans, and medical and dental loans.
  • Citizens offers private loans for both students and parents.
  • SoFi offers private alternative loans for undergraduates, graduates, parents/sponsors, MBA, Law and Health Professions. Students are also able to refinance their federal and private alternative loans through SoFi.
  • Nelnet, a trusted partner within financial aid for over 40 years, offers such features as: No Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement will allow us to serve students not making SAP, a co-signer release, a past-due balance option and zero origination fees so the student gets all of the money they need upfront.