US private student loans, including Sallie Mae

Before applying for a Private Loan, students are encouraged to apply for the maximum amount they are eligible for in Federal Stafford loans, as federal loans are often cheaper, and most American students are eligible for them. We advise that you investigate US federal loans fully, before applying for a US private student loan. Please refer to our US Federal Loans section for further information.

US private loans do not enable you to borrow more funds than US federal loans as the total borrowing for any combination of loans cannot exceed the total of the standardised Swansea University Cost of Attendance for your chosen program at Swansea University.

Swansea University will work with whichever private lender you decide to use, however, please be aware that Sallie Mae Student Loans is the only lender we are currently aware of that is willing to lend to students at a foreign school. No more than 365 days can pass from the loan period end date to the first disbursement of the loan through Sallie Mae Student Loans. For loan applications for the new academic year (which will normally have an earliest disbursement date of 2nd October), please do not make an application to Sallie Mae Student Loans any earlier than the 1st May, but please do get in contact with the team if you have any queries at all before this date.

Sallie Mae is not a preferred lender and this does not represent a preferred lender arrangement.

Global Education Management Services (GEMS) can also offer support in applying for the right Sallie Mae loan for you. Their site is specifically designed for students at foreign schools, and they now have new products available, including the parent loan for undergraduate and graduate students.

Loans for Graduate Students:

Global Education Management Services (GEMS) announces a new financing option for graduate student pursuing general Graduate programmes, law, health profession, and other degrees.

The new graduate student loans offer competitively priced fixed or variable interest rates and extended repayment terms, have no origination fees or pre-payment penalties, and can cover up to 100 percent of the school-certified cost of attendance. Interest rates may be lower if applied with a creditworthy co-signer but is not necessary. Approval requires a credit check and analysis.

Loans for Parents of Undergraduate and Graduate Students:

Parents or other family members can now access loans to assist their child with study, and not just in undergraduate programmes, but also with graduate studies. 

Loans for Undergraduates on their brand new website: 

Their traditional range of undergraduate loans is also featured.

It’s all on their new look website. Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan for GEMS 

If you wish to apply for a private US student loan, email the University’s US Loan OfficerSarah Charles for a Cost of Attendance worksheet and other instructions, before applying to your chosen loan provider.

US federal and private student loans for all US students are administered by the US loans Officer Sarah Charles.

CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)

On the same day that your Private Student Loan is certified, our Admissions Department will be advised so that they can issue your CAS. Please allow up to 5 days for this to be received to your email address on record with us. You will not be required to pay the usual £4,000 deposit for international students if you are being funded for the full cost of your tuition fees or higher. If you are not being funded for the full cost of your tuition fees, you will need to pay the £4,000 deposit in order for your CAS to be issued.

Private Education Loan Applicant Certification Form

Pursuant to Section 155 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, amended, (HEA) and to satisfy the requirements of Section 128(e)(3) of the Truth in Lending Act, a lender must obtain a self-certification signed by the applicant before disbursing a private education loan. Swansea University is required on request to provide this form or the required information, only for students admitted or enrolled at Swansea University. This will help the applicant make an informed choice.

https://fsapartners.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/H450PrivateEducationLoanApplicantSelfCertificationForm.pdf

The applicant needs to send this form directly to the lender.