Below you will find information on financing options. We encourage you to review the options to determine which is best suited to your specific needs.
As you and your family discuss how to pay for college, the amount that will be financed (i.e., paid over an extended period of time) is a very important issue.
Private alternative loans
If you have completed a FAFSA, federal student loans will be included in your financial aid package. There are also non-need-based student and parent loans available to assist you in meeting some or all of your family’s contribution. Student loans that are not part of the Federal Student Aid program are often referred to as "private" or "alternative" loans.*
Private student loans are loans from a lending institution; they are not part of the federal government student loan programs. Private loans are generally more expensive than federal loans and have repayment terms that are less flexible. The ultimate decision about whether or not to borrow through these programs or through your own private resources (such as a home equity loan) is yours. We urge you to educate yourself about the various options available to you.
Private Education Loan Disclosures (Including Self-Certification Form)
You will be required to fill out a "Self-Certification Form" with your lender if you choose to borrow a Private Education Loan. Forms are available through your lender's website, or you may download this electronic version from Federal Student Aid. For questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 503-777-7223 or financial.aid@reed.edu.
*Note: Reed College does not participate in a preferred lender arrangement and does not endorse or promote any private alternative loan program or lender. Students are encouraged to review the federal loan options before considering a private alternative loan since federal loans may have more favorable terms and conditions. Below are links to the private student loan lenders utilized by Reed students during the past three school years:
- Affinity PLCU
- Alaska Supplemental Education Loan (ASEL)
- Arkansas Student Loan Authority (ASLA)
- Ascent Funding
- Bank of Lake Mills (BLM or BkLkM)
- Citizens Bank
- College Ave Student Loan
- College Bound Loan (RISLA)
- Discover Private Education Loan
- Earnest
- EDvestinU
- Firstmark Student Loans
- LendKey
- Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
- New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corporation
- Sallie Mae Smart Options Loan
- SELF Loan (Minnesota Office of Higher Education)
- SoFi Student Loan
- Southeast Bank Student Loan
Monthly payment plan
Payment plans are convenient, manageable payment solutions that give you the option to make payments in interest-free monthly installments, rather than in one lump sum. Reed College offers payment plans each semester, administered by Flywire. The enrollment fee is $55 per semester.
Students and their authorized users can enroll in a payment plan through Student Account Center. Detailed information on payment plan options and billing is provided by the Reed College Business Office.