Students and their families can borrow additional loan funds to help meet their college costs using Alternative Loan programs. These loan programs are provided by commercial lenders and are not supported by state or federal financial aid funds. Maximum loan amounts, borrower qualification, repayment schedules and interest rates vary. If you apply for an Alternative Loan, you should request a loan for the total amount you will need for both terms of the school year on a single application.

The University of Pittsburgh Office of Admissions and Financial Aid provides direct electronic application and fund transfer with nationally known lenders to provide Alternative Educational Loan options for Pitt students.

Click here to preview these lenders and to begin the electronic application process for an Alternative Loan. Or, if you prefer, contact the lender directly for more information about borrowing options available to you.

Lenders on this list exchange loan application information electronically with our office. Loan applications are received by Pitt and completed loan certifications are returned to lenders on a daily basis via an electronic link. The Financial Aid Office receives notification of pending loan applications in a very timely manner and is able to certify them in the same manner, eliminating the need to deliver loan documents in person, through the US mail or via fax.

In addition, loan funds from this group of lenders are sent to the University via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and disbursed to the student's account the next day, eliminating the need for a paper check and student endorsement. On average, typical total processing time for eligible students is fewer than 10 business days.

In addition to the actual loan application, students must complete the appropriate Financial Aid Application Supplement (FAAS) if they have not already done so.

2007-2008 Undergraduate Financial Aid Application Supplement
2008-2009 Undergraduate Financial Aid Application Supplement

2007-2008 Graduate Financial Aid Application Supplement
2008-2009 Graduate Financial Aid Application Supplement

Students and their families may choose Alternative Loan Lenders other than those listed at the link above. If you choose such a lender, you must complete and submit an Alternative Request Form to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.