Welcome!
Welcome to Westmont College's student/parent loan comparison tool, powered by SimpleTuition.
To begin the review of lender options for Westmont College complete the information above and click on "Find Loans". Complete the "Additional Information" that appears next and then click on "View Loans". Click on each lender name to read about specific details of that lender's loan, then you may check the box on the left and the "Compare" button to review a comparison of your chosen lenders. To request your loan click the "Apply" button for your chosen lender.
To help you with the selection process, this site presents a list of lenders to compare in an interactive format.
The Financial Aid Office encourages borrowers to compare lenders to make an informed choice. Borrowers can choose any Stafford/PLUS lender that participates in the Federal Family Education Loan program and any lender for a private loan, even if they are not listed here.
Lender List Rationale
Westmont College reviews lenders' policies and loan products on an annual basis in an effort to offer lenders that offer good customer service and lender benefits for the borrower. Generally, these benefits change on an annual basis given the current market conditions and some lenders have had to eliminate benefits.
The Financial Aid Office strives to offer excellent customer service. One means of providing this service is through electronic processing; therefore, the university chooses lenders that work within our loan processing system. Electronic processing allows the borrower to apply online, allows the Financial Aid Office to certify loans online and provides fast electronic payment of loan funds directly to your Westmont College student billing account.
To assist families in the decision of which lender to choose, the Financial Aid Office has compiled a list of lenders for your consideration. Based on our past experience with these lenders the Financial Aid Office feels confident in the customer service offered to borrowers and the Financial Aid Office as loans are processed and prepared for disbursement as well as the level of benefits they offer to the borrower in current market conditions. In the current environment some lenders are no longer participating in the Federal Family Education Loan Program and the Financial Aid Office attempts to suggest lenders that we believe will remain in this program long term. As a borrower you may change your lender at any time; however, we highly recommend that once you have chosen a lender you remain with that lender throughout your education to ensure a much smoother transition into repayment.
Westmont College is able to provide better customer service through one of the lender choices provided on our lender list; however, the Financial Aid Office will certify a Stafford, PLUS, or Alternative Private Loan for another lender of your choice if you prefer.
How to apply with a lender not on our lender list
If you choose a lender not on our lender list the process is manual. 1.) Request a paper loan Application/Promissory Note AND the School Certification Page from the lender you choose. 2.) Complete the Application/Promissory Note AND the borrower information on the School Certification Page, including the requested loan amount. 3.) Mail both forms to Westmont College, Financial Aid Office at 955 La Paz Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Also be sure the lender name, address and phone number are included to enable the Financial Aid Office to mail the loan application to the lender upon completion of the school certification.
This process will take more time as we manually complete the school certification and most likely the funds will be disbursed via paper check and the borrower will endorse the check in the Bursar's Office.
If the student is a first time borrower the student must still complete online entrance counseling.
