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What to know first: 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.

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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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Ascent: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Bootcamps And Vocational Programs

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

Education Loan Finance: 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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STUDENT LOAN

Earnest: Best for repayment flexibility

4.4
Fixed APR from
3.72- 16.74%
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 short co-signer release period

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-based students

Fixed APR from
4.95- 8.82%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

MEFA: Best for low maximum APR

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: Best for outcomes-based approval

4.7
Fixed APR from
8.65- 15.19%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
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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

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
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Earnest
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
3.72%–16.74%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% 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%–8.08%
Loan amount
$5.5k– $58k
Loan term
10-25 yrs

Ascent
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Fixed APR
8.65%–15.19%
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Funding U
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
3.5
Fixed APR
8.49%–13.99%
Loan amount
$3,001-$20,000
Loan term
5-10 yrs
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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.
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Cons

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

Ask the experts: Can you get a low rate without a co-signer?


Writer, Personal Loans and Debt Relief

"You can absolutely get a low interest rate without a co-signer; however, you'll need to meet a few financial requirements, regardless of the loan. Most lenders require that applicants have an excellent FICO score (800+), a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and a steady stream of income to qualify for the lowest rates. If you don't quite meet these criteria but have a decent credit score, you can still technically qualify without a co-signer, but it's more likely that you'll end up with a rate on the higher end."

Nationally recognized student financial aid expert

"All federal education loans do not require a cosigner. Federal student loans have low fixed interest rates that do not depend on your credit score. If you have excellent credit, you might be able to qualify for a private student loan without a cosigner. But, most borrowers need a creditworthy cosigner to qualify for a private student loan and to get a low interest rate. More than 90 percent of private student loans to undergraduate students and more than two-thirds of private student loans to graduate students require a creditworthy cosigner. A cosigner with a better credit score can help you qualify for a lower interest rate."

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