Undergraduate Student Loans
Funding Your College Dreams—Without the Weight of Interest
At the Evalee C. Schwarz Charitable Trust for Education, we offer private, interest-free student loans for undergraduates who show both academic excellence and financial need… so you can focus on learning, not worrying about student loan payments.
Our loans aren’t like what you’ll find from big-name lenders. There are no hidden fees, no rising interest rates, and no profit motive. Just support, opportunity, and a community of students helping students through a legacy that’s been changing lives since 2000.
Who we Help
Our undergraduate student loans are designed for students who are ready to take the next step but need help paying for an undergraduate degree.
Loan amounts range from $5,000–$20,000 per year, with a lifetime cap of $80,000—and every loan is interest-free for its entire duration.
You may qualify if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen at the time of application and attend school in the U.S.
- Meet the Trust’s financial need requirement. Applicants must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below the amount currently required on their FAFSA Submission Summary to be Pell Grant eligible. It is not necessary for students to actually be Pell Grant eligible (as most graduate students are not), but they must not exceed that SAI amount.
- Rank in the top 15% of standardized test scores nationally if such tests are required for admission.
- Are enrolled in a school in the state in which the student resides.
Some exceptions apply. See the Process page for more details. - Provide high school and college transcripts demonstrating academic excellence.
- Are not seeking a law degree.
Financial Aid For College-Bound High School Seniors
You don’t have to wait until your first semester to start planning smart.
If you’re a high school senior, you can apply for funding before your freshman year even begins.
This is one of the few private student loan programs that welcomes high school seniors in need of financial aid.
By applying early, you’ll know your funding is secure before classes start—giving you and your family peace of mind.
Why Undergraduate Students (and Parents) Trust the Schwarz Trust
Most private student loans are built to make lenders money. Ours is built to make a difference. Founded by Evalee C. Schwarz, this charitable trust helps students pursue education without lifelong debt. Every repayment funds future students, keeping Evalee’s pay-it-forward legacy alive.
Undergraduate Student Loan Options: How We Stack Up
Most students know names like Sallie Mae, SoFi, or Discover Student Loans—but few realize how much interest adds up over time. Here’s how our charitable undergraduate student loans compare:
Here’s how our approach compares to traditional private student loan programs:
No fine print. No surprises. Just a smarter, fairer way to pay for college.
Ready to Apply?
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year open January 1st and must be postmarked by April 10th.
All applications are reviewed by our Loan Committee in June 2026.
