Skip to Main Content

Best student loans without a co-signer in July 2024

Jul 19, 2024
Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editoral integritythis post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money.

Borrowing a student loan without a co-signer can be tricky, as many lenders require a good-to-excellent credit score. But you still have options, even if you’re establishing a credit history for the first time. Federal student loans don’t require a co-signer, and a few lenders offer outcome-based approval. 

To find the best student loans without a co-signer, our methodology included assessing lenders’ loan terms, amounts and fees. From there, we selected our top picks based on unique perks, such as the ability to skip payments or access career coaching.

|
Filters
Fixed APR from

3.79- 15.41%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Fixed APR from

3.99- 17.99%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.15- 15.49%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.24- 15.61%

Loan amount

$1k- $350K

Fixed APR from

4.24- 14.01%

Loan amount

$1k- $100K

Fixed APR from

4.24- 15.47%

Loan amount

$1k- $500K

Fixed APR from

4.50- 14.22%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.80- 8.54%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

5.75- 8.95%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Lender conversion and compensation impacts how, where and in what order products appear in the above table

Compare no co-signer student loan rates from Bankrate's top picks 

Use this table to easily compare the most important factors of each loan. Pay special attention to the upper limit of the lenders’ annual percentage rates (APRs). If you have no co-signer and a weak credit history, your APR may be on the upper end.

LENDER BEST FOR VARIABLE APR WITHOUT CO-SIGNER FIXED APR WITHOUT CO-SIGNER* LOAN TERM LOAN AMOUNT
College Ave Graduate students 5.59%-17.99% 4.22%-17.99% 5 years $1,000 to 100% total cost of attendance
Sallie Mae Part-time students 5.37%-15.70% (with autopay) 4.15%-15.49% (with autopay) 10 - 15 years $1,000 to $1,000 to 100% cost of attendance
Ascent Outcomes-based approval 9.08%-15.40% (with autopay) 8.65%-15.08% (with autopay) 5 to 15 years $2,001 to $400,000
Citizens Bank Multiyear approval 5.99%-16.61% (with autopay) 4.24%-15.61% (with autopay) 5 - 15 years $1,000 to $150,000 for most degrees
Custom Choice Rewards and benefits 5.44%-14.91% (with autopay) 4.42%-14.01% (with autopay) 7 - 15 years $1,000 to $180,000
Education Loan Finance Borrowers with a solid financial history 6.00%-14.22% (with autopay) 4.50%-14.22% (with autopay) 5 to 15 years From $1,000
INvestED Indiana-based students 7.75%-11.79% (with autopay) 4.56%-8.34% (with autopay) 5 - 15 years $1,001 to 100% total cost of attendance
MEFA Low maximum APR N/A 5.75%-8.95% $1,500 to 100% total cost of attendance
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Undergraduate students N/A 6.53%-8.08% 10 to 25 years $5,500 to $12,500 per year (up to $57,500 aggregate)
Federal grad PLUS loans Graduate students N/A 9.08% 10 to 25 years Up to 100% total cost of attendance
Funding U Borrowers with bad or no credit N/A 8.49%-13.99% (with autopay) 10 years $3,001 to $20,000
Earnest Borrowers with minimal borrowing needs 5.62%-16.85% (with autopay) 5.48%-16.49% (with autopay) 5 to 15 years $1,000 to 100% total cost of attendance
Returning borrowers 5.74%-15.86% (with autopay) 4.19%-14.83% (with autopay) 5 to 15 years $1,000 to 100% total cost of attendance

The rates shown in this table are for loans without a co-signer. The rates listed below show the overall rate range for the lender. 

A closer look at the best student loans without a co-signer 

Dive into each lender’s details, including what helps it stand out and what type of borrowers it suits best.

Best student loan without a co-signer for undergraduate students

Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Subsidized Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Subsidized Loans

Min. credit score:
Not disclosed
Fixed APR From:
6.53% –8.08%
Loan amount:
$1– $57,500
Term lengths:
10 to 25 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed

Overview: Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Direct Subsidized Loans are offered to all students attending qualifying institutions. These loans don't require a credit check and carry fixed interest rates that are the same for all borrowers. For the 2023-24 school year, these rates are 5.50 percent for undergraduates and 7.05 percent for graduates. With Direct Subsidized Loans, the government even covers your loan interest while you're in school and during the grace period. Federal loans also come with multiple repayment and forgiveness options that private lenders don't offer.

Why federal Direct Unsubsidized and Subsidized Loans loans are best for undergraduate students without a co-signer: Federal Direct Loans come with extensive benefits and borrower protections, and they don't require a credit check.

Best student loan without a co-signer for borrowers with bad or no credit

Min. credit score:
Not disclosed
Fixed APR From:
8.49% –13.99%
Loan amount:
$2,001– $400,000
Term lengths:
10 to 10 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed

Overview: Funding U is a nontraditional lender that lends directly to students and doesn't consider credit scores. Its loan amounts are relatively low, and its starting APRs are high – but for borrowers who have bad credit, it could end up being one of the cheapest loan options.

Why Funding U student loans are best for borrowers with bad or no credit without a co-signer: Instead of credit history, Funding U looks at academic merit and factors like projected salary after graduation to approve borrowers.

Best student loan without a co-signer for students pursuing competitive careers

Min. credit score:
Not disclosed
Fixed APR From:
3.79% –15.41%
Loan amount:
$2,001– $400,000
Term lengths:
5 to 20 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed

Overview: Ascent offers student loans for undergraduate, graduate, international and DACA students, but it stands out for its non-co-signed options for undergraduates. There are two options: credit-based and outcomes-based. To qualify for the credit-based loan without a co-signer, borrowers must have more than two years of credit history and meet minimum credit score and income requirements. For the outcomes-based loan, borrowers are evaluated based on school, program, GPA and more. Both loans have multiple repayment options and large loan amounts.

Why Ascent student loans are best for students pursuing competitive careers without a co-signer: Ascent's "outcomes-based" loans consider borrowers' future income and career potential, making it easier for undergraduate borrowers to qualify without a co-signer.

Best student loan without a co-signer for minimal borrowing needs

Min. credit score:
650
Fixed APR From:
4.17% –16.49%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $500,000
Term lengths:
5 to 15 years
Min. annual income:
$35,000

Overview: Earnest doesn't require co-signers for its undergraduate student loans, a rarity among private student loan lenders. Earnest does require a minimum credit score of 650 to qualify, so it's best for borrowers who already have an established credit history. Earnest also offers a range of repayment options, including the option to skip a payment every 12 months, and a nine-month grace period.

Why Earnest student loans are best for borrowers with minimal borrowing needs without a co-signer: Earnest caters to borrowers who don't need to borrow much for college, with loan amounts as low as $1,000. And while co-signers are recommended for undergraduate students, they're not required.

Best student loan without a co-signer for borrowers with a solid financial history

Min. credit score:
680
Fixed APR From:
4.50% –14.22%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $500,000
Term lengths:
5 to 15 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed

Overview: Education Loan Finance's student loans come with low interest rates and a wide range of loan amounts, making it the ideal fit for borrowers who qualify. Education Loan Finance does have stricter eligibility requirements than other lenders, with a minimum credit score of 680 and a minimum income of $35,000, but it doesn't require undergraduates to add a co-signer if they meet these requirements on their own.

Why Earnest student loans are best for borrowers with minimal borrowing needs without a co-signer: Earnest caters to borrowers who don't need to borrow much for college, with loan amounts as low as $1,000 or as high as your total cost of attendance. And while co-signers are recommended for undergraduate students, they're not required.

Best student loan without a co-signer for returning borrowers

Min. credit score:
640
Fixed APR From:
4.19% –14.83%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $500,000
Term lengths:
5 to 20 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed

Overview: SoFi is well known for its tools, resources and personalized financial help. It offers private student loans for creditworthy undergraduate and graduate students who are in satisfactory academic and financial standing. Among its perks is access to professional financial planning.

Why SoFi student loans are best for returning borrowers without a co-signer: Borrowers who have taken out a loan with SoFi in the past can benefit in several ways by returning to SoFi. Previous private student loan borrowers can "fast track" applications for future funds, and borrowers who have a different type of loan with the company may be eligible for a 0.125 percent discount on their new student loan.

What is a co-signer? 

A student loan co-signer is a creditworthy family member or close friend who assumes joint legal responsibility for your student loans. If you add a co-signer, the lender will take that person's financial health into account when approving you and setting your interest rates. 

Co-signers can often help borrowers with little credit history or poor credit qualify. International students are frequently required to have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

When you enlist a co-signer, choose someone you're close with. A co-signer will be required to make payments on the loan if you fail to make them, and their credit score could suffer if the loan becomes delinquent. It’s essential that you and your co-signer trust each other.

Perhaps you don’t have a creditworthy parent or other co-signer, or you simply want to take the full responsibility on yourself. Luckily, many lenders don’t require a co-signer if you can meet credit score and financial criteria on your own.

How do student loans without a co-signer work?

When you apply for a private student loan without a co-signer, you'll need to demonstrate you meet the lender's eligibility requirements on your own. The lender may ask you to provide information about your grades and intended degree, bank statements, W-2s, pay stubs and more. 

Once you're approved, you'll sign your own loan documents and be fully responsible for making payments.

Do you need a co-signer for student loans? 

If you're taking out federal student loans, you most likely won't need a co-signer. The exception is Direct PLUS Loans, which require an endorser if you have an adverse credit history.

You may need a co-signer for private student loans if you haven't built a credit history. You may also need a co-signer if you have a lower credit score — typically anything below 650 — or a low income.

Pros and cons of student loans without a co-signer 

Consider both the pros and cons of taking out a student loan without a co-signer before making a final decision. 

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Don't need to find a creditworthy co-signer.
  • May be able to qualify based on academic merit or future earning potential.
  • Simpler application process, since you don’t have to submit a co-signer’s info.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Loans may be more expensive, depending on your credit score.
  • Generally harder to get approved for.
  • Offered by fewer lenders.

How to get a student loan without a co-signer

Eligibility requirements for student loans vary by lender. However, there are some general requirements that borrowers need to meet in order to get approved.

Federal student loan eligibility requirements

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
  • Be enrolled at least half time in a qualifying degree or certification program.
  • Have a valid Social Security number.
  • Fill out the FAFSA.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college.

General eligibility requirements for private student loans without a co-signer

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
  • Be in good financial standing.
  • Have a steady income.
  • Have a valid Social Security number.
  • Have a good or better credit score.
  • Be enrolled in a qualifying degree or certification program.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college.

Alternatives to a student loan without a co-signer

Many students, especially undergraduates, cannot qualify for a student loan without a co-signer. However, there are other options to pay for school:

  • Scholarships and grants: Before turning to student loans, it's best to search for scholarships and grants. Filling out the FAFSA can give you access to some federal, state and institutional grants, but scholarship search engines are also a good tool to stack scholarships that are relevant to your interests and experiences.
  • Work-study: Work-study is federal aid awarded to students with financial need. The program matches students with part-time jobs while they're in school, and you can find out if you qualify once you fill out the FAFSA.
  • Income-share agreements: Income-share agreements are a type of funding that gives students a lump sum for their education in exchange for a percentage of their income after graduation — for instance, 2 percent of their income every month for five years. ISAs typically do not have strict credit requirements, and borrowers do not need a co-signer.

FAQs about student loans without a co-signer

How we chose the best no-cosigner student loan providers 

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

57

years in business

25

lenders reviewed

14

loan features weighed

350

data points collected

To find the best private student loan lenders, Bankrate's team of experts evaluated over 20 lenders. Each lender was then rated on a 14-point scale. The scale is split into three main categories:

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.