For information regarding using these funds for summer school, please see the summer financial aid page.
What you should know before applying for a private education loan:
- All grant and scholarships, as well as work study programs and federal and state loan programs, may be available to you and should be fully explored prior to applying for private education loans. TCU encourages all students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be considered for all available aid programs before utilizing private loans.
- Almost without exception, undergraduate students do not have sufficient credit to qualify for a private loan without a credit-worthy cosigner. Cosigners are equally liable for the loan when repayment begins. If a parent has been denied for the Federal PLUS Loan due to credit issues, that parent will not qualify as a cosigner for a private loan. What Makes a Good Cosigner?
- Be sure to read all of the eligibility requirements for a loan before you apply, and make sure you meet the criteria. Some loans require students to have full time enrollment, some require a certain major, while others require a student to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress, etc. After reading the descriptions of each lender's product(s), call the lender or contact TCU Financial Aid if you have questions about which program(s) might be right for you.
- TCU will process loan applications from any legitimate lender. TCU students and families DO NOT have to select one of the lenders on the list below. These lenders are being recommended by TCU due to their past customer service records with our customers, competitive loan terms, and ease of application processing.
Why does TCU maintain this list of recommendations, and how do we select the lenders to recommend?
What should I expect during the private loan application process?
TCU Private Education Loan Recommendations
Loan Program (click on name to see important Disclosure information) |
Why Is TCU Recommending This Loan Program? | Click Here To Apply |
| Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan | - Choose fixed or variable rate - Variable rate as low as 3.40% APR as of 5/1/2011 - Reduce interest rate up to 1% with benefits - No application, origination or early repayment fees - Apply with cosigner to lower interest rate Also available: Wells Fargo MedCap Loan - for Nursing Students ONLY |
 |
| Union Federal Private Student Loan | - Zero fees - Compare 4 available repayment plans and 3 available repayment terms designed to allow you to select what works best for you and your budget - Cosigner release available after 36 on-time payments - Available for students not making SAP and past-due balance - Available for international students with US citizen or permanent resident cosigner |
 |
| - Zero fees - Available for students not making SAP, enrolled less than half-time, and/or seeking a certificate - Available for past-due balance up to 12 months old - Cosigner release available after any 36 on-time payments - Additional applications made within 30 days usually do not require a new credit check |
 |
|
| - Zero fees - Cosigner release after first 24 on-time payments - Available for students not making SAP, enrolled less than half-time, and/or seeking a certificate - Available for international students with US citizen or permanent resident cosigner |
 |
|
| - Zero fees - Available for students enrolled less than half-time - Available for past-due balance up to 6 months old - 2% graduation benefit - Additional applications made within 30 days usually do not require a new credit check |
 |
|
| TX Higher Education Coordinating Board | Funding for this program has
been exhausted for the 2011-2012 school year. - Interest is never capitalized - Fixed interest rate of 6% - THECB does not sell loans - No aggregate limits - Additional applications made within 90 days do not require a new credit check |
College Access Loan (CAL) Funding not available |
TCU Loan Team Contact:
817-257-7858
