Financial Aid Providers for Lender List

The University of Texas at Austin's Financial Aid office is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify private educational loan lenders for inclusion on a Public Lender List serving undergraduate students (including first-generation, dependent, and independent borrowers), parents of undergraduate students, and graduate and professional students across business, education, engineering, law, medical, and online programs. Respondents must provide comprehensive information addressing student loan program offerings, loan terms and conditions, borrower eligibility criteria, repayment plans and flexibility options, competitive analysis, customer service capabilities, and ethics and compliance commitments. Mandatory eligibility criteria for lender inclusion require no origination or disbursement fees deducted from loan proceeds, minimum interest rates of 7.99% or lower at publication, deferment and forbearance options for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, maintained Borrower Services Centers with timely account access, and full electronic processing capabilities for applications, school certifications, and fund disbursement. The University will evaluate responses and publish an annual disclosure detailing the methodology used to develop and maintain the Private Lender List, with authority to remove lenders at its sole discretion. The response deadline is Monday, April 27, 2026, by 2:30 PM CST, with submissions required through the University's Bonfire Portal.

This RFI is explicitly stated as an information-gathering exercise only and does not represent a solicitation for bids, a commitment to enter formal partnerships, or an agreement to provide compensation to respondents; the University will not be entering into any agreements with lenders responding to this RFI. No set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types responding to this opportunity are specified in the available documentation. All responses become the property of the University and are subject to public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or existing infrastructure integration requirements are identified in the procurement materials. No award values or budget ranges are listed, as this is a non-binding information-gathering initiative designed to support the University's broader commitment to financial access, affordability, and transparency in financing options for its diverse student and family populations.