Borrowing "locally" is the only choice for the average private borrower, I think. The rates and terms were superior to all the SoFi's on the market. Over the last 3 falls we've taken out 4 private loans for our daughters. Phil is the primary on these loans with our girls the secondary. The process wasn't hard. I hate that we have to borrow, but that's not your fault- so in a situation that sucks, you guys have always made it suck less.