9 Student Loans With Fastest Co-Signer Release

Key facts

Pros

• One of the few lenders to provide loans to part-time students.

• Non-U.S. citizens, including DACA students, can apply with a U.S. co-signer.

Cons

• You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Does not disclose.

• Minimum income: Did not disclose.

• Loan amounts: $1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified expenses.

Available Term Lengths

10 to 15 years

Disclaimer

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 12/27/2022. Loan amounts: Loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Sallie Mae reserves the right to approve a lower loan amount than the school-certified amount. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.

Key facts

Pros

• Among the best for payment flexibility.

• You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• Stands out for features that enable faster loan repayment.

Cons

• Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible.

• Co-signer release not available to international students.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.

• Minimum income: $0 for primary borrower. $24,000 for current and previous year for co-signer.

• Loan amounts: $1,000 to $200,000 per year with an aggregate loan limit of $200,000.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 years

Disclaimer

Ascent Student Loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 1/1/2023 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest APRs require interest-only payments, the shortest loan term, and a cosigner, and are only available to our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores.

Key facts

Pros

• You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• Multiple in-school repayment options available, including interest-only and flat-fee, and deferred for undergrad and grad students.

• Additional perks like career planning, job search assistance and entrepreneurship support available.

Cons

• Does not offer bi-weekly payments via autopay.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 700+.

• Minimum income: No minimum.

• Loan amounts: $5,000 minimum.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10 or 15 years

Disclaimer

UNDERGRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.49% to 14.75% annual percentage rate ("APR") (with autopay), variable rates from 4.63% to 13.82% APR (with autopay). GRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 5.25% to 14.48% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 5.12% to 13.82% APR (with autopay). PARENT LOANS: Fixed rates from 6.50% to 14.83% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 5.74% to 13.88% APR (with autopay). For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. Interest rates for variable rate loans are capped at 13.95%, unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law. Lowest rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved for a loan, the interest rate offered will depend on your creditworthiness, the repayment option you select, the term and amount of the loan and other factors, and will be within the ranges of rates listed above. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Information current as of 12/16/2022.

Key facts

Pros

• Forbearance of 18 months is longer than many lenders offer.

Cons

• You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• Payment required while in school and during the grace period.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 748.

• Minimum income: $24,000 per year.

• Loan amounts: $1,000 up to cost of attendance, minus other aid received.

Available Term Lengths

5, 10 or 15 years.

Key facts

Pros

• Forbearance of 18 months is longer than many lenders offer.

Cons

• Available only to existing Navy Federal Credit Union customers.

• Only one repayment term: 10 years.

• Payment required while in school and during the grace period.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.

• Minimum income: A co-signer must earn $15,000 or more.

• Loan amounts: $2,000 minimum to $120,000 for undergraduates, or $160,000 for graduate students.

Available Term Lengths

10 years

Key facts

Pros

• Income-based repayment plan available, with forgiveness after 25 years.

• You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• Partial loan forgiveness for eligible internships; interest forgiveness for qualifying nurses.

Cons

• Fewer repayment terms available than other lenders.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 768.

• Minimum income: $40,000.

• Loan amounts: $1,500 to $45,000.

Available Term Lengths

10 or 15 years

Key facts

Pros

• Offers 13 options for flexible post-graduation repayment, which is more than most lenders.

• Provides rate offer with soft credit check.

• Borrowers enrolled less than half-time can qualify.

Cons

• Does not disclose full underwriting requirements.

• Borrowers may not know what to expect with hardship forbearance as it is granted case-by-case.

• Does not allow bi-weekly payments via autopay.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.

• Minimum income: $36,000

• Loan amounts: $1,000 with an aggregate loan limit of $125,000

Available Term Lengths

5, 10 or 15 years

Disclaimer

Fixed interest rates range from 4.49% APR (with auto debit discount) to 14.32% APR (without auto debit discount). Your interest rate will depend on your (and if applicable, your cosigner’s) credit qualifications. The fixed interest rate will remain the same for the life of the loan. Variable interest rates range from 4.52% APR (with auto debit discount) to 14.55% APR (without auto debit discount). Your interest rate will depend on your (and if applicable, your cosigner’s) credit qualifications. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Variable rates for Nelnet Bank Student Loans are calculated as the One-Month SOFR plus the applicable Margin percentage. Variable rates will be based on the highest One-Month SOFR as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the twenty-fifth day (or the next business day) of the immediately preceding calendar month. The variable rate may change on the first day of each month if the SOFR index changes. This may result in higher monthly payments. The current One-Month SOFR index is 4.32% as of January 1, 2023. The lowest interest rate for each loan type requires automatically withdrawn (“auto debit”) payments. The lowest rate is available only to the most creditworthy applicants. Not all borrowers will receive the lowest rate., The interest rate and Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may be higher depending upon (1) the credit history of the borrower and, if applicable, the cosigner, (2) the repayment option and loan term selected, and (3) the loan type selected. If approved, applicants will be notified of the rate qualified for within the stated range. Checking your rate results in a soft credit pull, which will not affect your credit score. If you continue with your application, Nelnet Bank will request your permission to obtain your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies. This is a hard credit pull and may affect your credit score. Interest rate reduction of .25% for automatically withdrawn payments from any designated bank account (“auto debit discount”). Auto debit discount applies when full payments (including both principal and interest) are automatically drafted from a bank account. The auto debit discount will continue to apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment if the auto debit discount was in effect at the time of receiving the forbearance or deferment. Auto debit discount will remain on the account unless (1) the automatic deduction of payments is cancelled or (2) there are three consecutive automatic deductions returned for insufficient funds at any time during the term of the loan. Subject to Credit approval.

Key facts

Pros

• Forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders offer.

• No late fees.

Cons

• Only offers 2 loan terms.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 670.

• Minimum income: No minimum income.

• Loan amounts: $1,001 or $2,001, based on residency and school location, up to cost of attendance minus other aid received.

Available Term Lengths

10 or 15

Key facts

Pros

• Forbearance of 24 months is twice as long as most lenders.

• Loans are available if you’re enrolled less than half time.

Cons

• Loans may not be available depending on where you live or go to school.

• Fewer repayment terms than other lenders offer.

• You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.

• Minimum income: Does not disclose.

• Loan amounts: Minimum $1,000. Maximum depends on creditworthiness and debt-to-income ratio.

Available Term Lengths

10 years