Does Capital One Offer Student Loans?

Capital One does not offer student loans. If you need a private student loan for college or want to refinance your existing loans, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Few banks offer student loans. If Capital One is your bank of choice, explore all your private loan options to get the best deal possible.

Capital One private student loan alternatives

You can’t get a student loan from Capital One, which is the case at most big-name financial institutions, including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and U.S. Bank. Here are some alternatives:

• Banks and credit unions. If you prefer a brick-and-mortar bank, Citizens Bank student loans come with a loyalty discount for existing customers and multiyear approval. PNC Bank also offers private student loans, as do community banks and credit unions via LendKey.

• Online lenders. Many online-only lenders offer private student loans, including Ascent, College Ave and Earnest. Ascent offers traditional credit-based loans that may require a co-signer, as well as loans based on your future income if you want or need to qualify on your own.

• State-based agencies. These nonprofit agencies offer private student loans, often outside their home state. For example, loans from the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority are available nationwide, and Advantage Education Loans, a product of the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp., lends in 32 states.

Review all your options when considering private student loans to ensure you get the lowest rate you can qualify for.

Also, be sure to exhaust federal financial aid before turning to any private loan. Government student loans have benefits that private options lack, including the option to make payments based on your post-graduation income and loan forgiveness programs.

Apply for federal student loans by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Compare private student loans

Capital One student loan refinancing alternatives

You can't refinance student loans with Capital One. If you want to do this, compare student loan refinance companies to get the best rate possible and find a lender that meets your repayment needs:

• If you want to pay off loans fast. Pentagon Federal Credit Union, or PenFed, offers short terms and features like automated biweekly payments that can speed up repayment.

• If you didn’t graduate with a degree. Advantage Education Loan doesn’t require an associate or bachelor’s degree to be eligible to refinance, but loans aren’t available in all states.

NerdWallet recommends pre-qualifying with multiple refinance lenders before applying. That way, you’ll know if you might be approved and at what interest rate without affecting your credit.

Capital One student benefits

Capital One student loans aren’t available, but the bank has other products and services that may benefit college students, including:

• Journey Student Rewards credit card. Capital One’s student credit card offers cash-back bonuses for making on-time payments, helping you build good habits and good credit during college.

» MORE: Does American Express offer student loans?