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USC CU

Student Lending Center

Loan applications for the 2024-25 academic year are not available at this time. Please check back periodically for updates.

Custom Loan Program for International Undergraduate or Graduate Students at the

University of Southern California

✔ FAQ

Need Assistance?

For assistance with opening a new private education line of credit, or to request additional funds from an existing line of credit, please call:
844-627-4309

Key Features of Our Program

Undergraduate variable rate of 14.49% APR^* and fixed rate of 12.49% APR
Graduate variable rate of 14.24% APR and fixed rate of 12.24% APR
0.25% rate discount for optional enrollment in automatic electronic payment during repayment**
Apply once and secure financing for your entire undergraduate or graduate studies with unique line of credit structure^†
Available to international students (students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents, and require a visa for entry to the United States)
A Social Security number (SSN) is required to qualify
- If the borrower does not have a SSN, they must apply with a co-borrower who has a SSN and is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- If the borrower does have a SSN, a co-borrower is not required
Flexible repayment options, including full deferment of payments while in school^‡
10 year repayment period – or repay early at anytime with NO penalty
Optional graduated repayment which provides lower payments during the first two years of repayment
A loan from a not-for-profit credit union - a lender relationship you can trust
Maximum borrowing amounts are listed below. View undergraduate and graduate borrowing limits.

Borrowing Limits

The maximum loan amount will be the certified need determined by your school, up to $30,000 for the remainder of their undergraduate or graduate education. The certified need is typically the Cost of Attendance (COA) less other financial assistance and aid received. IMPORTANT: Please note that the maximum co-borrower aggregate amount for borrowing (across multiple lines of credit for multiple borrowers) is $30,000.

The University will certify the requested loan amount with the credit union.

Undergraduate

Maximum Loan Limit: $30,000

Variable Rate: 14.49%

Fixed Rate: 12.49%

Apply Variable

Apply Fixed

Return to an existing application or request additional funds

Graduate

Maximum Loan Limit: $30,000

Variable Rate: 14.24%

Fixed Rate: 12.24%

Apply Variable

Apply Fixed

Return to an existing application or request additional funds

Interest Rates

Variable Rate Solution

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for our undergraduate and graduate private education line of credit is variable¹ and is based on the Prime index² plus a margin.

The current offered rate³ for undergraduate will be 14.49% APR.

The current offered rate³ for graduate will be 14.24% APR.

Fixed Rate Solution

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for our undergraduate and graduate private education line of credit is fixed⁴ for the life of the loan.

The current offered rate⁵ for undergraduate will be 12.49% APR.

The current offered rate⁵ for graduate will be 12.24% APR.

Please Note:
All loans subject to approval and restrictions may apply. We reserve the right to change rates for new applications at any time and without notice. Credit union membership and a minimum share deposit is required.

Variable Rate Disclosures

The Annual Percentage Rate is subject to increase after consummation. The interest rate will be adjusted quarterly, based on changes to the Index. The APR will not exceed 15.00%, or fall below the Floor rate regardless of the Index or any additional rate discount. Any increase in the Index may increase the APR and the amount of your monthly payment.
The "Index" for the quarter beginning April 1, 2024, is 8.50%, which was the Prime index published in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of March 2024.
Current offered rate(s) are calculated by using the Index, Margin and Floor value(s) in effect. Your specific Interest Rate, Margin, Floor, and/or credit approval depends upon the credit qualifications of the student borrower and co-borrower (if applicable). Margin will be disclosed at account opening. Student borrowers may apply with a creditworthy co-borrower which may result in a better chance of approval and/or lower interest rate.

Fixed Rate Disclosures

Your interest rate is fixed and your rate and/or credit approval depends upon the credit qualifications of the student borrower or coborrower (if applicable).
Your actual rate within the range stated will be disclosed upon approval. Student borrowers may apply with a creditworthy coborrower which may result in a better chance of approval and/or lower interest rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

International undergraduate or graduate students enrolled or enrolling in the University of Southern California. An international student is defined as a student who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, and requires a visa for entry to the United States. Necessary documentation includes one of the following:

F-1 visa and I-20, I-94 and a valid passport with photo, and a Social Security number
J-1 visa and form DS-2019, I-94 and a valid passport with photo, and a Social Security number
H1-B visa along with a letter from your employer confirming employment, I-94 and a valid passport with photo, and a Social Security number

Please see the interest rates section.

0.25% rate discount for optional enrollment in automatic electronic payment during repayment**

While in school, you may choose to:

Make interest-only payments
Defer both principal and interest
Make full principal and interest payments

Once your six (6) month grace period ends, your loan will enter repayment based on the terms outlined below. You may elect for graduated repayment at this time - lowering your monthly loan payments for the first two (2) years after starting repayment - which may be a valuable benefit if you are just beginning a new career and managing a tight budget.

The repayment term is 10 years.

Apply now and receive instant line of credit approval. Or, for questions, call 844-627-4309. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions.

For your second academic year, as a returning borrower with an existing line-of-credit, you do NOT need to complete an entirely new application to request additional funds. Simply apply for additional funds from your existing line-of-credit.

* APR = Annual Percentage Rate.
** The APR will not exceed 15.00%, or fall below the Floor rate regardless of the Index or any additional rate discount.
† Subject to credit qualification and annual credit review. Must meet school's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
‡ Approved programs subject to change