Private Loans

Private Loans, also known as alternative loans, are used by students and families to bridge the gap between the cost of education and the financial aid award. These loans are for credit-worthy borrowers and are not based on financial need.

The university recommends that you exhaust all grant, scholarship and federal loan options prior to obtaining a private student loan. For more information on applying for financial aid, federal loans, etc., explore our page about applying for financial aid.

FASTChoice Loan Comparison Tool

Johnson & Wales University has provided a historical list of private loan lenders through which our students have borrowed five or more loans during the past three years. This list can be found by accessing FASTChoice, a loan comparison tool that assists borrowers in selecting and applying for a loan to best suit their needs.

You are not restricted to this list and may be eligible for loans or other assistance under Title IV, HEA programs. Terms and conditions of Title IV, HEA program loans may be more favorable.

We encourage you to search for and review lenders to find the best rates available to you and your family. You are strongly advised to compare the benefits and costs of several private loan programs before you apply.

• You may apply for a private loan without a co-signer, but in most cases a co-signer is required.
• All applications consider an individual’s credit standing.

You are in no way obligated to borrow from one of the lenders listed on our historical list. This list includes all lenders from the last three years who have allowed their information to be provided.

Required Self-Certification Form

In 2010, the US Congress mandated that private loan lenders require borrowers to complete a Private Loan Self-Certification form when requesting any private educational loans. The intent is to assist students with a better understanding of cost of attendance, total financial aid and the gap between the two (as well as to make them aware of over-borrowing loan money).

Before disbursement of any private education loan can occur, this form must be completed and submitted to your lender. All private education lenders will provide loan applicants with a Private Loan Self-Certification form as part of their application process.

Private Loan Self-Certification Form

Code of Conduct for Education Loan Practices

Johnson & Wales University’s student loan practices focus on the best interest of borrowers. The university has adopted the following Code of Conduct for Education Loan Practices requiring all university employees and agents to act lawfully, ethically, and with integrity and to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest in connection with education loans made to prospective, current or former students and their families.