If you’re a student in need of a student loan, the thought of having to get a cosigner might be enough to make you want to stay in bed all day. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
We’re going to show you how to get federal student loans without a cosigner so that you can focus on what really matters—your education.
Federal Student Loans Without A Cosigner: How It Works
Without getting too technical, here are some of the benefits of federal student loans without a cosigner:
- They do not require a credit check or co-signer (which means they won’t affect your credit score)
- There are no fees associated with receiving this type of loan
- Repayment options include income-based repayment plans (which allow for lower monthly payments) and deferment (which allows for interest-free loans).
Federal Student Loans Without A Cosigner
Find funding for your education without a cosigner
Ascent Logo
Our top-rated student loan without a cosigner
Receive a 1% cash back reward at graduation
Pre-qualify and check your rates without impacting your credit
Rates (APR) from 4.23% to 14.52%
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Funding U Logo – Horizontal
Eligibility is based on academic performance – not your FICO score
Pre-qualification and rate check that won’t impact your credit
Rates (APR) from 7.49% to 12.99% for Bachelor’s degree candidates
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Stride Funding logo
An income-shared agreement where payments are tied to your income
No payment until your income is at least $40,000 per year
The amount you pay back is capped at 2x what you borrowed
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How to choose the best student loan without a cosigner
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to no cosigner student loans. What is best for you may not be best for someone else. That’s why it’s so important to compare your options before making a decision.
Here is a list of things that you should think about when shopping for a student loan:
- Eligibility requirements: Always review the eligibility requirements for each company. By doing this, you’ll make sure you aren’t wasting your time considering a loan that you won’t be approved for. Things such as credit score, income, GPA, age, and what state you live in may affect your eligibility.
- Loan amounts: Each loan has its minimum and maximum amount. If you need to borrow less than the minimum requirement for a loan, you shouldn’t consider that option. If you need more than the maximum amount offered for a loan, check other options to see if there is one that will meet your needs so that you don’t need to take out multiple loans.
- Rates (APR): The APR of the loan is the annual rate of interest that will be charged on your current balance. With most loans, you’ll have the option between a fixed and variable rate. A fixed rate stays the same during the life of the loan, while a variable rate can increase or decrease depending on market conditions. When comparing rates, a lower rate is better.
- Discounts: Many companies allow you to lower your rate with specific interest rate discounts. These discounts can include an automatic payment discount, a loyalty discount for banking with the lender, and more. Ascent has the highest potential automatic payment discount.
- Repayment terms: There are two parts to the repayment of your loan. First, you’ll need to decide whether you want to start repayment in school, or you’d like to defer your payments until after you graduate. Second, you’ll need to determine how long you take to repay the loan. This can typically vary between 5 to 15 years. Remember, the longer you take to repay the loan, the more you’ll pay in interest.
- Benefits: Are there any benefits to borrowing from a specific company? For example, Ascent will give you 1% cash back upon graduating from college.
By keeping everything above in mind when comparing your options, you can increase your chances of finding the best student loan without a cosigner for your needs.
student loans without cosigner reddit
Getting a loan without a cosigner may seem impossible, but there are options. Some private lenders offer no cosigner student loans — and our loan comparison tool can help you find one.
In this guide:
Information on cosigners
No-cosigner loans
How to find and compare international student loans
Information on Cosigners
As an international student in the United States, or coming to the US, you will be required to have a cosigner most of the time when applying for a loan. Cosigners must be a US citizen or permanent resident who has lived in the US for the past two years and has good credit history.
Since most international students in the US do not have credit history, a cosigner joins the standard application process. Approval and rates are based off the credit score of the cosigner and they are legally bound to repay the loan if you (the borrower) are unable to pay.
If you don’t have a credit-worthy cosigner, you won’t qualify for most international student loans. However, there are still a few options available to international students, and on this page, we’ll give you the information you need on private international student loans that don’t require a cosigner.
No-cosigner loans
Although a cosigner is typically required by most lenders, international students attending certain colleges and universities in the US and Canada are able to apply without one. If you’re not able to find a cosigner then this type of loan could be a good option for you.
With no-cosigner loans, instead of looking at credit history, the lender will look at your academic success and career path. A few factors they will take into consideration include your home country, graduation date and what school you attend.
Private international student loans are offered through non-government lenders. There are a number of private lenders that offer loans for international students, each with their own eligibility requirements. However, only select lenders offer loans to international students that don’t require a cosigner.
Before choosing a lender, it’s important to do your research and find a lender that will offer you a loan that meets your needs. You can use our international student loan comparison tool to get information from the student loan companies that work with international students in just a few clicks.
How To Find And Compare No-Cosigner Loans
If you’re an international student and would like to explore the option of a loan that doesn’t require a cosigner, you’re able to use our loan comparison tool to see if your school has one available. If so, you can then research the terms and conditions of the loan and apply directly through the lender. When researching a loan a few items you will want to take note of include:
- How much you can borrow
- The interest rate (including if it’s fixed or variable)
- The repayment period
- When and how your funds will be disbursed
Once your loan application has been reviewed you will receive details on your loan including your interest rate and how much you can borrow, these items will vary by lender and your situation. For example, no-cosigner loans through one of our partners have a fixed interest rate of 11.99%-13.99% and allow you to borrow up to $25,000 per academic period, or $50,000 total. On your application you must state how much you would like to borrow. The approved amount along with your designated interest rate will be assigned to you by the lender after your application has been reviewed. If you are approved for a loan, the funds are disbursed directly to your college or university. The entire process usually takes about 6 weeks, so you will need to plan accordingly.