Private Loans for Graduate Students
In response to recent changes in federal student loan programs that take effect on July 1, 2026, Georgetown University has explored several financing options for graduate students. After reviewing the available private education loan offerings for the 2026–2027 academic year, Georgetown has identified six major financial institutions as Preferred Lenders for eligible Georgetown graduate students, based on their available loan terms and commitment to customer support. In vetting private education loan providers for inclusion as a Preferred Lender, Georgetown considered lender history and financial stability, value and lifetime loan cost to borrowers, flexibility for the borrower, customer service and innovation of product offerings.
The private loan options will be available to all graduate students enrolled in academic programs across the university, including tailored offerings for medical students, law students and students in other graduate programs.
Although Georgetown has identified the six financial institutions named below as its Preferred Lenders for the 2026-2027 academic year, Georgetown students are in no way limited to just the Preferred Lenders, and there will be no penalty for obtaining private education loans from a lender not identified as a Georgetown Preferred Lender. A comprehensive list of agreement terms for all Preferred Lenders for the 2026-2027 academic year is available here.
Georgetown will reevaluate its list of Preferred Lenders annually to ensure that the lenders receiving this designation offer, in Georgetown’s view, the most competitive and advantageous loan options and quality of service for Georgetown students and their families.
Before considering a private loan, students should review and exhaust their eligibility for federal student aid, including grants, work-study, and federal loans. To apply for federal aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov; you can also visit the site to learn more about your eligibility and explore available federal aid programs.
Preferred Lender List
Please note that Georgetown students are not required to use any of the listed preferred lenders and will not be penalized or disadvantaged if they choose to borrow from another lender. Borrowers should compare the fees and terms of all student loan products to determine which are best suited to their needs.
*International student borrowers do not need to apply with a U.S. cosigner. However, SoFi recommends a U.S. cosigner to increase the borrower’s chances of being approved and/or receiving a more favorable rate.
ELM Select
ELM Select is a third-party site that provides a neutral, comprehensive list of private education loan lenders that Georgetown University students have borrowed from within the past three years, listed in random order. Students are not obligated to borrow only from the lenders listed. Georgetown University will process alternative loans from lenders who are not listed.
Students enrolled in degree-seeking programs with the School of Continuing Studies should email scsfinaid@georgetown.edu to request certification of approved private loans.
Historical Lender List
Below is a comprehensive list of lenders that Georgetown students have borrowed from in the past three years:
- Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
- Alaska Student Loans
- Alliant Credit Union
- Apple Federal Credit Union*
- Ascent Funding
- Bank of North Dakota Student Loans*
- Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union
- Baxter Credit Union*
- Citizens Bank
- Citizens Equity First Credit Union
- College Ave Student Loan
- Connecticut Higher Education Student Loan Authority
- cu Student Loans
- Day Air Credit Union*
- Democracy Federal Credit Union*
- Digital Federal Credit Union
- Earnest Student Loans
- Everett Credit Union*
- Georgia’s Own Credit Union*
- GESA Credit Union*
- Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union
- Holy Rosary Credit Union*
- Iowa Student Loans
- Liberty Bank*
- Maine Education Loan Authority
- Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
- Midwest Bank of Western IL
- Minnesota Office of Higher Education*
- MPower Financing
- NASA Federal Credit Union
- Nelnet Bank
- NJ Class
- Northwest Federal Credit Union*
- Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union
- Prodigy Finance
- Rhode Island Student Loan Authority
- SAFE Credit Union*
- Sallie Mae
- Sixup
- Social Finance – MBA Loan
- Thrivent Federal Credit Union
- Union Federal Private Student Loan
- Unitus Community Credit Union*
- USC Credit Union*
- Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
*Lender does not participate with ELM Select. Please contact the lender directly for its most current student loan information.