The term "qualified lender" refers to a financial institution or individual that is legally authorized and able to provide loans to borrowers. This could include banks, credit unions, online lenders, or other types of institutions that meet certain regulatory requirements and have the ability to assess creditworthiness and manage risk associated with loaning money. The term "qualified" in this context means that these entities are legally authorized to engage in the activity of extending credit and have met specific standards set by government agencies or industry organizations.