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What to know first: The best student loan rates vary depending on whether you're taking out federal or private student loans. Student loan funds are designed to cover college costs such as tuition, fees, books, supplies and housing. Rates for federal loans are set by Congress once a year and currently range between 6.53 percent and 9.08 percent, depending on your degree type and financial need. Private student loan rates range between about 3.39 percent and 17.99 percent based on your credit score, your cosigner's creditworthiness and type of education.

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College Ave: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Multiyear Approval

4.5
Fixed APR from
3.47- 17.99%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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Sallie Mae: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Graduate Students

4.6
Fixed APR from
3.49- 15.49%
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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SoFi: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner For Borrowers With Good Credit

4.8
Fixed APR from
3.54- 15.99%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

ELFI: Best for customer service

4.4
Fixed APR from
3.69- 14.22%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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Ascent: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Bootcamps And Vocational Programs

4.7
Fixed APR from
3.39- 16.16%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
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STUDENT LOAN

Earnest: Best for extended-term options

4.4
Fixed APR from
3.47- 16.49%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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Citizens Bank: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Parents

4.6
Fixed APR from
3.99- 15.60%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
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STUDENT LOAN

Custom Choice: Best for graduation rewards

4.2
Fixed APR from
4.24- 14.02%
Loan term
7-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
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STUDENT LOAN

INvestEd: Best for Indiana residents

Fixed APR from
4.95- 8.82%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,001 - 100% total cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

MEFA: Best for paying past-due tuition

Fixed APR from
5.75- 8.95%
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
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Ascent
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Fixed APR
3.39%–16.16%
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

College Ave
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Fixed APR
3.47%–17.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Sallie Mae
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Fixed APR
3.49%–15.49%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
10-15 yrs

Education Loan Finance
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
3.69%–14.22%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Citizens
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Fixed APR
3.99%–15.60%
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

SoFi
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Fixed APR
3.54%–15.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Earnest
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
3.47%–16.49%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Custom Choice
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Fixed APR
4.24%–14.02%
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
Loan term
7-15 yrs

Invested
Fixed APR
4.95%–8.82%
Loan amount
$1,001 - 100% total cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

mefa
Fixed APR
5.75%–8.95%
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
10-15 yrs

Federal Student Loans
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
6.53%–9.08%
Loan amount
$5,500- $12,500 per year (up to $57,500 in total)
Loan term
10-25 yrs
FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS PRIVATE STUDENT LOANS
Interest rates 6.53%-9.08% for 2024-25 3.39%-17.99% fixed, 4.64%-17.99% variable
Fees 1.057% for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans; 4.228% for Direct PLUS Loans Varies by lender
Borrowing limits $31,000 total for dependent undergraduates, $57,500 total for independent undergraduates, 100% total cost of attendance for graduates 100% total cost of attendance with many lenders
Qualification requirements Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and be enrolled at least half time; cosigner not generally required Varies by lender (often must have good credit and consistent income); cosigner typically required
Benefits Income-driven repayment plans, flexible deferment and forbearance options, no minimum credit score requirement, potential for forgiveness Lower interest rates than federal loans for good-credit borrowers, zero fees at some lenders, higher loan limits than federal loans
Drawbacks Potentially higher interest rates than private loans, undergraduate loan amount caps Credit check and cosigners generally required, high rates for bad credit, fewer borrower protections
LOAN TYPE FIXED APR
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (undergraduate borrowers) 6.53%
Direct Unsubsidized Loans (graduate and professional borrowers) 8.08%
Direct PLUS Loans (parents and graduate and professional borrowers) 9.08%

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