Loans funded by banks, credit unions or other private lending institutions.  Private loans should be considered as a last resort because interest rates, repayment and deferment provisions are generally not as favorable as those of federal education loans.  We encourage all students who are considering private loans to submit a FAFSA to learn about their eligibility for federal loans before applying for a private loan. 

Compare Private Loans - When choosing a private loan, there are many factors to consider including the fees the lender charges to make the loan, the interest rate, repayment terms and deferment options.  To assist students and their families in this process, the University of California has created the following lists which were developed specifically for UC students.  These include a few of the highest rated lenders:

Lender list for UC Undergraduate Students
Lender list for UC Graduate Students
Lender list for UC International Students

Lenders are required by federal law to to collect the Private Loan Certification Form. If you plan to apply for a private loan, complete and submit this form to your lender.

Other Loan Options