WASHINGTON — CU Student Choice, a CUSO that provides private student loan solutions, said it is now offering expanded access to its flexible education line of credit product.
According to the company, the move comes as “student debt continues to weigh heavily on millions of families.”
“Traditional private loans often force students to estimate the full cost of their education upfront, a tough ask given how often financial situations and academic paths change midstream,” CU Student Choice said. “Many borrowers end up on online lender marketplaces, dominated by national brands willing to pay big dollars for leads.”
The CUSO said its user-friendly CUSelect Finder Tool at StudentChoice.org helps students and families discover line of credit options from credit unions that “often go unseen on major comparison sites.”
‘Fundamentally Broken’
“The conventional private student loan is fundamentally broken,” President and CEO Scott Patterson said in a statement. “Students are forced to guess their total expenses before the semester even begins, often leading to overborrowing or, worse, coming up short when unexpected costs arise. Our education line of credit model represents a complete paradigm shift — apply once, draw only what you need, when you need it.”
An Experience Mismatch
According to CU Student Choice, most private student loans follow a “rigid structure” that doesn’t reflect how students actually move through college.
“When classes shift, family budgets change, or unexpected costs pop up, traditional loans often offer little room to adapt — leaving borrowers overextended or stuck without options,” the company said.
Given all the uncertainty, CU Student Choice said a credit union line of credit “stands out.” It stated its model allows students to apply once and access funds over multiple academic years, borrowing only what’s needed each term, reducing the need to reapply, helps avoid excess borrowing, and gives students the ability to adjust if their plans or needs change.
Time to Stop Pretending
“It’s time we stop pretending that traditional student loans work,” Patterson said in a statement. “This model flips the script. One application, flexible access, and the freedom to borrow on your own terms. It’s built for real life — not for lender convenience.”
According to CU Student Choice, when students take out more than they need just to avoid reapplying later, they often end up paying interest on funds they never use.
“The line of credit approach helps prevent that. It gives students the flexibility to borrow only what’s necessary, when it’s necessary — and if their situation changes, the loan can adapt with them,” the company said. “Traditional lenders often design products to maximize profit. Credit unions are offering something different — a borrower-first approach based on trust, flexibility, and long-term value.”
The New Tool
CU Student Choice said its updated CUSelect Finder Tool makes it easy for users to compare personalized lines of credit—from multiple credit unions the user is likely eligible to join—based on school, timing, and borrowing needs, with no credit check to compare and no obligation to apply.
“As borrowing decisions grow more complicated and private loan marketing becomes more aggressive, the CUSelect Finder Tool gives students a faster, clearer path to smart options — making informed decisions right from the start and helping them avoid feeling overwhelmed,” Patterson added in a statement.