Private Loans for U.S. Citizens

Students who are unable to borrow or do not meet the criteria to receive U.S. federal loans, for example, students wishing to study a course that is not approved for federal U.S. loans, or students enrolled in a distance learning program, can borrow from private lenders in the U.S.

After considering all the resources available through Tel Aviv University’s Lowy International School, some students may need further assistance and choose to secure a private loan through a lender of their choice. Students who choose the private student loan route will apply for the loan independently, and the lender will electronically send the loan information to The Lowy International School for certification of the student information.

The Lowy International School does not promote or work with one particular private loan lender. However, the only one private lender(s) that makes loans available to U.S. citizens receiving their degrees at a foreign school are with Sallie Mae and Earnest.

You are advised to compare the terms, charges, and interest rates before taking out a private loan.

Before seeking a private loan, you should first:

Note that in terms of repayment, many private lenders will not be as flexible as the federal lenders will be.
Discuss alternative payment options and plans by contacting finaid@telavivuniv.org.
The Maximum loan amount is the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) (determined by the school) minus any other financial aid or scholarships received.
If you decide to borrow from a private lender, here are some things to consider:
- Borrow only what you need to pay your expenses.
- Fully understand the terms and conditions associated with your loan.
- Use comparison charts and checklists to ensure that you find the best deal with regard to grace periods, interest rates, and repayment options.
- Remember that borrowing now will impact your life in the future.
- Revisit your goals, and work to thoroughly understand what you will face during repayment.