Inside the Private Loan Marketplace: A Conversation with Industry Leaders

As the student financing landscape undergoes significant change, private education loans are expected to play a larger and more critical role than ever — especially for both undergraduate and graduate students beginning in the 2026–27 academic year. Yet many financial aid administrators continue to grapple with uncertainty about how these loans function, how they differ from federal programs, and what their expanding role will mean for students, families, and institutional practices.

In this facilitated discussion, NASFAA brings you face-to-face with senior executives from leading private loan organizations for an honest, in-depth conversation about the realities of the private loan marketplace. Panelists will unpack the fundamentals of underwriting, pricing, servicing, and credit considerations — including how student and co-signer credit impact loan availability and terms — and offer their perspective on where the market is heading.

This session is designed to replace misinformation with clarity and equip financial aid professionals with the knowledge and confidence they need to guide students and families through this expanding segment of the financing ecosystem. Whether you're new to private lending or seeking a deeper understanding, this discussion will help you prepare your office — and your students — for the changes ahead.

Speakers

• Melissa Bassett, Vice President & Business Unit Lead, In School Student Loans, SoFi
• Joe DePaulo, Chairman and CEO of College Ave
• Tom Graf, Executive Director, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
• Phillip Wade, President & Chief Executive Officer, ELM Resources
• Jonathan Witter, Chief Executive Officer, Sallie Mae
• Moderator: Melanie Storey, President & CEO, NASFAA

Financial Aid Competencies

This webinar aligns with the following NASFAA Financial Aid Competencies:

	Laws, Regulations and Compliance
	Customer Service
	Leadership
	Commitment to College Access and Student Success

Technical Requirements

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Certificate of Attendance

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Certified Financial Aid Administrator^® Recertification Points (RP)

This event is eligible for one RP. After you view the webinar (live or on-demand), upload your certificate of attendance to your Dashboard to receive credit for this event.