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

Freelance writer, Credible

Rebecca has more than eight years of experience in personal finance. Her work has been featured by CNN, U.S. News & World Report, New York Post, USA TODAY Blueprint, and Buy Side WSJ.

Updated August 29, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT

Edited by Renee Fleck

Written by

Renee Fleck

Editor, Credible

Renee Fleck is a student loans editor with over five years of experience. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Morning Brew, and Sidebar.io, among other online publications. She is fluent in Spanish and French and enjoys traveling to new places.

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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

Best No-Cosigner Loans

Ascent

4.8

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Fixed APR

3.69 - 15.28%

Variable APR

5.50 - 15.04%

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

4.8

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

720

Fixed APR

3.99 - 15.61%

Variable APR

5.34 - 15.96%

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

4.99 - 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

4.81 - 14.39%

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 - 14.22%

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

4.6

Fox Money rating

Check Rates

on Credible’s website

Min. Credit Score

670

Fixed APR

4.80 - 8.54%

Variable APR

7.77 - 11.81%

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