Steps in Applying for a Private Education Student Loan:
1. Consider federal financial assistance first.
The U.S. Department of Education explains the difference between private and federal loans.
2. Complete the FAFSA.
We encourage you to have a completed financial aid file, including the FAFSA using the SFSC School Code of 001522. This will provide us with information to review your file for federal, state, and institutional funds before you borrow a private loan.
3. Apply for a Loan.
Apply by choosing a lender or bank to apply for a private education loan. SFSC does not offer a preferred lender list for private loans. Students can check with their bank or research private loans on the Web. We strongly encourage students to borrow federal loans first as they offer better benefits and interest rates.
4. School Certification.
Our office will certify the loan once we receive a certification request from the lender – only if all eligibility requirements are met. Private loan limits are set by federal regulations and cannot exceed the cost of attendance minus any financial aid received. We are not responsible for the timeliness of private loans and students should address all customer services issues with their lender.
