Preferred Lender List

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law on July 4, 2025, contained several provisions impacting the amount, and availability, of federal student loans. As a result of these changes, Emory University has chosen to implement a preferred lender list for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The goal of this list, and any related lender arrangements, is to identify private educational loan opportunities for students who may have exhausted their annual or aggregate federal loan eligibility and/or whose costs exceed the maximum federal loans available. The Office of Financial Aid strongly encourages students to utilize their maximum federal loan eligibility prior to considering a private educational loan.

Our list of preferred lenders was compiled using neutral, student-centered criteria, including total borrower cost, repayment flexibility, customer-service metrics, and co-signer release options. At least two unaffiliated lenders are included. The list will be reviewed annually. You are not required to use a lender on this list and may select any eligible lender; all certifications will be processed impartially and on the same timelines. 

The current list of preferred lenders is available here.

Methodology

  • Reviewed relevant regulations and guidance, including:
    • S. Department of Education preferred lender arrangement disclosures (34 CFR § 601.10)
    • Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. § 1601)
    • National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators guidance on preferred lender arrangements
  • Developed, and distributed, a Request for Information to select lenders with whom Emory students had previously borrowed, or whose loan products appeared to have features which met the needs of Emory students.
  • Lender responses were reviewed by Office of Financial Aid staff and lender selections were based upon:
    • Total cost of borrowing – including annual percentage rates (APR) and origination fees.
    • Repayment options – including deferments, forbearances, and years of repayment.
    • Approval criteria and rates – including required credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and co-borrower requirements.
    • Customer service metrics – including a review of complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
  • Any agreements were reviewed by Emory University’s general counsel and each lender.

Maintenance

In accordance with federal regulations, Emory University will review and reevaluate the Preferred Lender Arrangements and the corresponding Preferred Lender List on an annual basis. Attention will be given to lender terms, borrower benefits, and customer service quality.

Code of Conduct and Consumer Information

Office of Financial Aid staff at Emory University adhere to a strict Code of Conduct. These operating principles, and additional consumer information, may be found here.