Alternative Loan Information

Alternative Loans

Roanoke College offers a wide variety of alternative loans to help fray the costs of attendance. The interest rate and maximum amounts vary depending upon the chosen program. These loans are subject to a credit review conducted by the lender. Many of them also require that the student and/or parent to obtain a credit-worthy co-signer. International students may be eligible to borrow with a US citizen as a co-signer.

Before borrowing ANY private educational loan, students and parents should note the following things:

  • You 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 than the provisions of private education loans

Before pursuing a Private Alternative Educational Loan, students and parents should make sure that they have explored all other options first. You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (540) 375-2235 to discuss your financial aid package.

For the 2022/2023 academic year, Roanoke College received loan funds directly from the from the following lenders:

Ascent Private Student Loan
Citizens Bank Student Loan
College Avenue Student Loan Program
College Avenue Parent Loan Program
Credit Union Student Choice (a variety of alternative loan programs offered through various federal credit unions)
Custom Choice Loan
Discover Undergraduate Loan  
Earnest Private Student Loan
EDvestinU National Loan Program
Funding U Undergraduate Student Loan
LendKey Private Student Loan Program
MEFA Loan (MA residents only)
NC Parent Assist Loan (NC residents only)
NC Student Assist Loan (NC residents only)
NJ Class Loan (NJ residents only)
RISLA Student Loan Program (RI residents only)
Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan 
SoFi In School Alternative Loan
SoFi Parent Loan
Vermont Advantage Loan (VT residents only)

Are you curious what your loan payments may be? Check out Finaid's loan repayment calculator. You will have the ability to manipulate figures so you can determine just what your payment will be when you enter into repayment. (Loan Repayment Calculator)

Self Certification Form
The US Congress recently mandated that private loan lenders require borrowers to complete a Self-Certification form when requesting any private educational loans. Do not submit your self-certification form to the Roanoke College Financial Aid Office. We are available to assist you with it's completion but, the form must be signed and sent directly to your lender. NOTE: Always check to see if you can E-Sign this form on your lender's web site.

The Roanoke College Loan Program

This loan is available to students based on demonstrated financial need. It is awarded at the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid. The fixed interest rate is 8%. No interest is charged until the student is scheduled to begin repayment six consecutive months after they graduate, leave school, cease to be at least a half-time student as defined by the institution, or cease making satisfactory academic progress. If you qualify, the Roanoke College Financial Aid Office will require you to complete the RC Loan Master Promissory Note and the RC Loan Request Form.  The most a student may borrow in a given year is $5,000.

Heartland/ECSI (Billing Service for Federal Perkins and Roanoke College Institutional Loans)