Private Loans
Students may be eligible to borrow alternative loans for their educational expenses. Eligibility criteria, loan limits, interest rates, and repayment terms vary by lender. We recommend using alternative loans as a last resort after exhausting federal loan options.
Important: Alternative loans typically have higher interest rates and fewer borrower protections than federal loans. Compare your options carefully before borrowing.
Choosing a Lender
A historical list of alternative loan lenders used by Riverland students is available. Riverland Community College does not endorse any specific lenders, and neither the college nor its employees receive any benefits or compensation from lenders.
You are free to borrow from any participating lender, not just those on the historical list. Be sure to compare benefits and choose the option that best fits your needs.
Lender Transparency
Our officials are prohibited from accepting any financial or other benefits in exchange for displaying lenders and loan options in FASTChoice .
Prohibited activities include:
- Receiving compensation to serve on lender boards or advisory boards
- Accepting gifts such as trips, meals, or entertainment
- Allowing lenders to staff the Financial Aid Office
- Allowing lenders to use Riverland’s name or logo
- Owning lender stock (for officials involved in financial decisions)
The inclusion of a loan or lender does not imply endorsement. Information is provided by lenders and may change. Riverland is not responsible for lender content or external websites. Contact lenders directly to confirm details.
Compare Alternative Loan Options
Use FASTChoice to review lenders, compare terms, and select the option that works best for you.