Student Loans

Wondering how student loans work? Our advisors can provide an overview of the loan process. Book an information session to connect with an advisor.

There is a lot of information out there regarding student loans. If you’re considering getting a loan to help cover the cost of your education, keep reading to learn about your options:

Government Loans

We encourage students to explore federal and state loans before considering private loans. While every student’s situation will be different, government loans typically have the following advantages:

Interest rate on federal loans is fixed and usually lower than that on private loans
Most federal loans don’t require a credit check or a cosigner
They provide a range of flexible payment options and loan forgiveness benefits

To learn more about federal student loans, please visit StudentAid.gov.

Private Loans

Interest and repayment terms vary depending on which lending institution you choose. It’s always a good idea to research and compare different offers before borrowing. Here are a few questions you should ask while considering private student loans:

Do you meet credit score requirements or do you have a cosigner that does?
Does the lending institution require that you are a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident? If you’re an international student, are you eligible with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident?
What is the interest rate of the loan?
When does repayment go into effect and what are the terms?
If your parents are considering getting a loan to help you, does the lender offer parent loans?

A list of lenders previously used by WCU students can be found online at elmselect.

West Coast University does not make any recommendations regarding private loan lenders. Students may borrow from any lender. Be sure to research and review each lender’s terms and conditions before making a final decision.

Things To Keep in Mind

Here are some final things to keep in mind regardless of whether you have a government or private student loan:

Don’t borrow more than you need. This is the #1 tip that will help keep interest and payments manageable.
Avoid using credit cards. These typically are an expensive way to finance your education because they have higher interest rates.
Get more information about government and private student loans on ConsumerFinance.gov.

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