Private Education Loan Information
WesternU Preferred Lender List
Choosing how to finance your education is an important part of planning for your academic journey. WesternU encourages students to explore all available financial aid options and to consider private education loans as one of the resources available to help meet their remaining educational expenses. Our Preferred Lender List is provided to support students in comparing reputable lenders and selecting the option that best fits their financial needs.
Private education loans also called Alternative Loans are offered by banks and other private lending institutions. These loans are not federal student loans and are designed to supplement your financial aid package. Because private lenders set their own terms, interest rates, fees, repayment options, and borrower benefits can vary widely. Many lenders also require a credit‑worthy co‑signer. For these reasons, it’s important to compare options carefully and choose the loan that best fits your financial needs.
About ELM Select
Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) provides access to ELM Select, an online comparison tool that helps students explore private education loan options. Through ELM Select, you can review participating lenders and compare loan terms, interest rates, repayment plans, borrower benefits, and eligibility criteria to support informed borrowing decisions.
Although this page is titled WesternU Preferred Lender List, WesternU does not recommend or endorse any lender, nor do we have preferred lender arrangements. The lenders displayed in ELM Select have been reviewed and vetted by WesternU based on the needs of our graduate and professional students and the loan products these lenders offer. They are provided solely as a resource to help you evaluate private loan options.
You are free to borrow from any eligible private lender, whether or not they appear in ELM Select. Selecting a lender that is not listed will not delay the certification of your private loan. If your chosen lender does not appear in ELM Select, please contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.
WesternU Financial Aid staff are prohibited from accepting gifts, compensation, or any financial benefits from lenders in exchange for promoting or displaying loan products.
Students are encouraged to compare interest rates, fees, repayment terms, borrower benefits, and other loan features before selecting a private education loan.
Access ELM Select: ELM Select – Western University of Health Sciences