Many financial institutions offer private credit-based educational loans to assist with financing educational costs. Below is a list of lenders offering private educational loans that have been utilized by two or more students within the past three years (In alphabetical order).This is not a comprehensive list of all the educational loans available to you as a student, and you are not required to select one of these lenders. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement or recommendation by Princeton University. Additionally, the University was not paid by the lender or any third party to be included on this list.
- Citizens Bank
- College Ave
- Discover (no longer offers or services student loans)
- Earnest
- Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- NJCLASS
- PNC Bank (no longer accepting new student loan applications)
- Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA)
- Sallie Mae
- SoFi
If eligible, you are strongly encouraged to exhaust your federal borrowing options (Federal Direct Loans) before you consider private loans. The terms and conditions of federal loan programs may be more favorable than the provisions of private education loans. Each lender's loan programs may have different requirements. Be sure to check with your lender regarding the loan program that best suit your needs. All loans, except Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, are subject to credit approval.
Self-Certification
You are required to complete a Private Education Loan Application Self-Certification Form before receiving your first loan disbursement, regardless of which private lender you choose. Your lender will provide you with the form during the application process.
Institutional Code of Conduct for Education Loans
2025–26 Deadline to confirm and process loan eligibility:
Fall deadline (for fall-only loans): 12/19/2025
Spring deadline (for spring-only and full-year loans): 05/14/2026