Best student loans without a cosigner in September 2024

Best student loans without a cosigner in September 2024

Author
By Rebecca Safier

Written by

Rebecca Safier

Writer

Rebecca Safier is a finance expert on student loans, personal loans and education. Her byline has been featured by Forbes Advisor, CNN Underscored and U.S. News & World Report.

Updated August 29, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT

Edited by Renee Fleck

Written by

Renee Fleck

Editor

Renee Fleck has spent more than six years covering personal finance and is an expert on student loans and refinancing.

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The best student loans without a cosigner come from the Department of Education’s federal loan program. Undergraduate students can borrow Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans without a cosigner, while graduate students can take out Direct Unsubsidized Loans and, unless they have adverse credit, grad PLUS loans.

Qualifying for a private student loan without a cosigner can be trickier, but you still have options. Some private lenders will ditch the typical cosigner requirement if you have a strong GPA, high estimated future earnings, or meet other alternative criteria. If you’re looking to borrow in your name alone, here are the best student loans without a cosigner.

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8 best student loans without a cosigner

Ascent: Best for no-cosigner loans

No-cosigner loans

Ascent

4.9

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Fixed APR

3.39 - 15.13%

Variable APR

5.25 - 14.85%

Loan Amount

$2,001 to $400,000

Term

5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20

Pros and cons

More details

Citizens: Best for multi-year approval

Best for Multi-Year Approval

Citizens

4.9

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

720

Fixed APR

3.99 - 15.61%

Variable APR

5.19 - 15.81%

Loan Amount

$1,000 to $350,000 (depending on degree)

Term

5, 10, 15

Pros and cons

More details

College Ave: Best for extended grace periods

Best for Extended Grace Periods

College Ave

4.9

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Fixed APR

3.47 - 17.99%

Variable APR

4.69 - 17.99%

Loan Amount

$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance

Term

5, 8, 10, 15 (20 for health professionals)

Pros and cons

More details

Custom Choice: Best for discounts and rewards

Best for Discounts and Rewards

Custom Choice

4.4

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Fixed APR

4.24 - 14.02%

Variable APR

4.66 - 14.26%

Loan Amount

$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)

Term

7, 10, 15

Pros and cons

More details

Elfi: Best for flexible repayment

Best for flexible repayment

ELFI

4.8

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

680

Fixed APR

3.69 - 14.22%

Variable APR

5.00 - 13.97%

Loan Amount

$1,000 up to cost of attendance

Term

5, 7, 10, 15

Pros and cons

More details

INvested: Best for Indiana students

Best for Indiana Students

INvested

3.5

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

670

Fixed APR

4.95 - 8.82%

Variable APR

7.15 - 11.20%

Loan Amount

$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance

Term

5, 10, 15

Pros and cons

More details

MEFA: Best for borrowers with good credit

Best for borrowers with good credit

MEFA

3.1

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

670

Fixed APR

5.75 - 8.95%

Variable APR

-

Loan Amount

$1,500 up to school’s certified cost of attendance less aid

Term

10, 15

Pros and cons

More details

Sallie Mae: Best for specialized loans