»Private Student Loans

Private student loans are credit-based loans made available by private lenders to eligible students. It is recommended that students investigate their federal loan options fully before considering private loans. International students may apply for private student loans, either with a lender that specifically lends to international students (limited), or they may need a U.S. cosigner. 

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Private Loan Options

Choosing a private loan lender is an important decision. As a courtesy, Chapman University has partnered with ELMSelect to provide you with a platform for reviewing private loan options. Chapman University has not paid for, nor do we receive any compensation for students utilizing these services. You are not required to use this service or only lenders provided by this service. If you have a lender who is not listed, you can apply directly with that lender and have them contact the Graduate Financial Aid Office to facilitate the certification process. We encourage you to always consider your federal loan options first and to contact the Graduate Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.

Once you indicate your program, you will be presented with a number of lenders with basic information. By clicking "View" you can learn more about the lender and what they offer and save lenders to compare. You can use the filters at the top of the page to sort the lenders in various ways.

Lenders listed in Chapman University’s ELMSelect Portal have all previously approved and disbursed loans to Chapman students in the last 3 academic years.

ELMSelect

Choosing a private loan lender is an important decision. As a courtesy Chapman University has partnered with ELMSelect to provide you with a platform for reviewing private loan options. Chapman University has not paid for, nor do we receive any compensation for students utilizing these services. You are not required to use this service or only lenders provided by this service. If you have a lender who is not listed, you can apply directly with that lender and have them contact the Graduate Financial Aid Office to facilitate the certification process. We encourage you to always consider your federal loan options first and to contact the Graduate Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.

Once you indicate your program, you will be presented with a number of lenders with basic information. By clicking "View" you can learn more about the lender and what they offer and save lenders to compare. You can use the filters at the top of the page to sort the lenders in various ways.

Lenders listed in Chapman University’s ELMSelect Portal have all previously approved and disbursed loans to Chapman students in the last 3 academic years.

ELM Select Logo

 

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Things to Consider

When considering which lender to use, students should inquire about:

  • Are fees charged up front and upon repayment?
  • The interest rate: Is it variable? Is there a rate cap (maximum rate)?
  • Are there any repayment incentives?
  • Can principle and/or interest be deferred, and for how long?
  • How often is the interest capitalized?

Once a student has been approved for a private loan, the lender will communicate with Chapman University electronically. Students should allow 3-4 weeks for loan processing, certification, and disbursement of funds. Students should inform the Office of Graduate Financial Aid of their intent to borrow a private loan. 

Private student loans are counted as aid and are limited to no more than the Cost of Attendance minus other aid the student is receiving. Students who have borrowed their maximum awarded federal loans cannot use private loans to borrow additional funds.

Other Private Loans for Special Programs


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Bar Study Loans for Law Students

Bar loans are designed to help Law students pay for Bar preparatory classes and living expenses while studying for the Bar Exam. Generally, these can be borrowed during the student’s final year of study or up to six months after graduation.

Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Graduate Financial Aid to find out if they have any remaining eligibility in their federal financial aid budget before applying for a Bar Exam Loan. Students should only borrow a Bar Exam Loan if all federal aid has been exhausted.

Bar Loans are private loans, so the interest rates and fees may be higher than those of a federal loan and they cannot be included in federal loan consolidation. The loan is credit-based and may require a cosigner.

Residency Loans for Health Professions

Residency and Relocation loans are designed to help students in certain health professions who will have costs associated with taking board examinations, traveling for interviews, and moving for a residency. Generally, these can be borrowed during the student’s final year of study or up to a year after graduation.

Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Graduate Financial Aid to find out if they have any remaining eligibility in their federal financial aid budget before applying for these loans. Students should only borrow a Residency and Relocation loan if all federal aid has been exhausted.

Residency and Relocation loans are private loans, so the interest rates and fees may be higher than those of a federal loan and they cannot be included in federal loan consolidation. The loan is credit-based and may require a cosigner.