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Certificate Student Loans

Starting As Low As

4.49% APR1,2

Nationally Recognized as One of the Best Student Loans.

RISLA is a nonprofit lender that offers loans to customers across the country. If you're considering a certificate program to enhance your career or venture into a new field, RISLA's student loan for certificates offers low-fixed loans to cover your program expenses.

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NerdWallet

RISLA is nationally recognized by NerdWallett as the 2024 Best of Awards for Best State Private Student Loans. RISLA provides fixed, low interest rates nationwide for graduates, students, and parents.

©2017-2024 and TM, NerdWallet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Student Loan Programs

Requesting a rate will not impact your credit score.

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Lowest Overall Cost

Immediate Repayment

Payment is required while the student is attending school.
Fixed Interest Rate

4.49% - 8.39%

APR

4.49% - 8.39%

Term Length

120 Months

Estimated Monthly Payment
Per 10K Borrowed

$105 - $126

Loan Benefits

No Fees

Cosigner Release4 Eligible

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No Payments While In School

Deferred Repayment 3

Interest accrues, but no payment is required until the student leaves school.
Fixed Interest Rate

5.99% - 8.74%

APR

5.79% - 8.32%

Term Length

180 Months

Estimated Monthly Payment
Per 10K Borrowed

$107 - $138

Loan Benefits

No Fees 

Cosigner Release Eligible

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Student Not Obligated

Parent Only

Payment is required while the student is attending school.
Fixed Interest Rate

5.99% - 8.49%

APR

5.99% - 8.49%

Term Length

180 Months

Estimated Monthly Payment
Per 10K Borrowed

$113 - $127

Loan Benefits

No Fees 

Competitive PLUS Alternative

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What to Expect When Choosing RISLA

 We are here to save you time and money.
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Up to 100% Costs Covered

This can include school-certified costs such as tuition, housing, books, etc. Annual and aggregate loan limits apply.

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No Fees

No application fees, origination fees, late fees, or insufficient funds fees.

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Stress Free & Easy

Requesting a rate takes just minutes. Provide a few details to complete the application and securely upload your documents.

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Five Star Customer Service

Our loan experts are available to answer your questions directly without any recordings. Borrowing responsibly has never been easier.

Borrower Benefits & Protections

Looking for a student loan that meets your current and future needs?

Look no further. RISLA is a non-profit organization that lends to students and families nationwide. In addition to offering low rates, RISLA provides extra benefits and borrower protections to assist throughout your journey.  So why wait? Apply today and start investing in your future!

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Income-Based Repayment

This program can offer assistance during financial hardships during repayment.

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Militarty Benefits

Military members may qualify for SCRA benefits with a RISLA loan.

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Payment Forbearance

Can temporarily suspend or lower student loan payments during financial stress.

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Unfortunate Incident

This forgiveness benefit applies in the event of the student’s permanent disability or death.

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Multi-Year Approval

A multi-year program aimed at providing a convenient solution for making future college loans even easier.

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Auto-Pay Discount

Enrolling in autopay will reduce your interest rate by 0.25% when you enter repayment.
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Cosigner Release

Having a cosigner, such as a parent, can enhance your chances of approval at a lower rate.

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Rewards Program

Internship rewards up to $2,000. Nursing rewards include no interest for four years.

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Student Loan Borrowing Limits

How much should you borrow for college?

It is advisable to borrow only the necessary amount to cover your educational expenses. The more you borrow now, the greater the student loan debt and interest you will have to repay later. To determine the right amount for a student loan, calculate your financial need after grants, scholarships, and aid have been deducted from your total cost of attendance.

Minimum of $1,500

Per Academic Year

Maximum of $50,000

Per Academic Year

Loan Amount
It cannot exceed the total Cost of Attendance (COA) minus any other financial aid received.

 

Consider When Borrowing

Here are several factors to consider when deciding how much to borrow:  

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Room and Board
  • Text Books
  • School Supplies & Technology Cost

Student Loan Eligibility

Are you eligible for student loans?

All RISLA loans are based on credit and have additional eligibility requirements.

Must Enroll in an Approved School or Program.
  • A Title IV Degree-granting school.
  • Public or non-profit institutions of higher education.
  • Must be enrolled at least half-time
Must Satisfy Credit and Income Criteria.
  • Subject to credit check.
  • Documentation of income.
May Require a Cosigner
Loan approval might not require a cosigner. However, having a cosigner can lead to a lower interest rate.
Age Requirements
Students must be 18 by December 31, 2025, to qualify for RISLA student loans. 
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
Both the borrower and the cosigner must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents holding a non-conditional green card.

Applying for your student loan is easy.

Our team of student loan specialists is available to answer any questions you may have about your online application.
Speak with our student loan specialist to answer your questions at 800-758-7562
 
1
Get Pre-Qualified

Getting your rate is quick and easy without impacting your credit score!

2
Confirm Your Rate & Term

Compare rates and terms to choose a loan that fits your budget. This may lower your monthly payment or reduce the total interest paid over time.

3
E-Sign Your Loan

Confirm your acceptance of the loan by completing your e-signature. The loan will be approved after this process is completed.

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Student Loans FAQ

Many students and families have questions when preparing for college. We are here to help answer those questions.

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Contact Our Student Loan Specialist

RISLA is here to help answer your questions.

We'd be delighted to help you with your application and find ways to save money with your student loans.

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EMAIL US

What customers are saying about RISLA

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Trustpilot

We are with you for the journey.

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College Planning

A free service aimed at helping students achieve their goal of attending college and paying for it. The CPC assists thousands of students and families each year in planning for higher education.

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Scholarship Hub

Check out how to prepare for college—access free tools and resources.  Find local scholarships for college, and parents and students can enter to win $2,000 in college scholarships!

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Refinancing

With our refinancing options, you can enjoy the benefits of low fixed interest rates, no fees, and an auto-pay discount. Take advantage of this opportunity to save money and simplify your finances. 

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Fixed-Rate Student Loan  |  Parent Loan

1. APR: The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) reflects the estimated total cost of the loan, including origination fees ($0), accruing interest, and the effect of capitalized interest. Interest begins accruing after each loan disbursement. The rate shown includes the 0.25% interest rate reduction for using the auto-pay feature and RI Advantage Discount.

2. RI ADVANTAGE DISCOUNT: applies to any Rhode Island resident students attending school in any state or non-Rhode Island resident students attending a school in Rhode Island.

3. DEFERRED APR: Interest rates are the same for graduate students. However, the APR range differs from the range shown above for undergraduate students.

4. THE COSIGNER RELEASE PROGRAM: This is not offered to residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Nevada, and Washington, D.C.