Supplemental Loans Private loans are available to assist students in financing educational costs (as defined by Johns Hopkins University) less any financial aid. For most of these loans, the student is the borrower with the parent as a cosigner. Interest rates generally are variable. Information on current market interest rates is available at: http://www.bankrate.com. As a service to students and their families, Johns Hopkins University makes available this link (SimpleTuition) to a commercial service that assists in identifying lenders and comparing private loans. The University does not endorse or recommend any lender identified through this service, nor does the University have any financial interest in any lending institution. Further, students and their families are reminded that the University will process private loans from any lender. Additional general information on factors to consider in securing a loan is available below. Questions to ask a Private Lender - What is your lowest interest rate and fee combination and how can I get it? Is the rate only for a limited period or is it for the life of the loan?
- For variable rate loans, is there a limit on how high the variable rate can go? How often is the interest rate adjusted, and how is it determined?
- What interest rate can I get on a fixed-rate loan?
- How long will I be repaying the loan? Is there any penalty for paying it off early?
- When do I have to start making payments? How long can I defer payments while I'm in school? If I go to graduate school and defer payments, how much will I owe when I do start making them?
- Will I lose my discount for paying on time if I have only one late payment or if I ask for a change in the payment schedule?
- What proportion of your borrowers get the discounts you offer? Are your discounts guaranteed or are they subject to change later?
- Would you allow me to defer or reduce my payments temporarily because of economic hardship? Under what circumstances and for how long?
-- From the Project on Student Debt (see website below)
Consumer Information On Student Loans For more information on comparing lender benefits, see the following website: For questions to ask when considering a private loan, see the following website: Other Resources The following websites are available for researching other sources of financial aid. Please be sure to pay close attention to the stated application deadlines.
Resources for International Students
Click here for a list of potential resources for international students. Please pay close attention to application procedures and deadlines. International students may find the information on the websites below helpful in researching funding sources: | 
