UW Colleges Money Matters
Alternative Loans
Before you look at alternative funding, please make sure that you have exhausted all possible federal and state financial aid funds available. Our office strongly recommends that students file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid before applying for alternative loans.
Alternative loans are used to help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the amount available from federal and state grant and loan programs. There are hundreds of lenders providing different types of private educational loans.
It is important to do some research and explore your options when choosing an alternative loan lender. For suggestions regarding questions to ask, see our alternative loans FAQ page. The Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) has developed a comprehensive list of alternative loan lenders for students. To view the list, go to their Private Loan Information page and click on the 2-yr schools link.
If you have questions regarding an alternative loan program, we suggest you contact the specific lender directly. Please feel free to contact our office with general questions at 608-262-5928.