10 International Student Loans for 2024
Private student loans will be the best option for international students since most cannot qualify for federal student loans.
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International students going to school in America have fewer U.S. student loan options than most borrowers. Unless you’re an eligible noncitizen who can qualify for federal student loans, you may need to borrow from a private lender.
Some banks, credit unions and online lenders offer private student loans for international students, but they often require you to have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Your co-signer will likely need good credit for approval and to get the most favorable rates.
You may be able to find a private lender that doesn't require a co-signer, but you'll pay higher interest rates as a result.
You'll find both types of lenders below, as well as guidance on who can qualify as an eligible noncitizen.
- 35+ student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and student loans.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 43 categories and 40+ data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
- 35+ student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and student loans.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 43 categories and 40+ data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
International Student Loans
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 Best Student Loan for International Students 4.0 /5 | None | 12.99-15.99% | N/A | Check rate on MPOWER's website | |
5.0 /5 | Low-Mid 600s | 3.69-14.56% | 5.66-14.72% | Check rate on Ascent's website | |
4.5 /5 | 660 | N/A | 9.99-16.51% | Check rate on Earnest's website | |
4.5 /5 | Mid-600's | 3.49-15.49% | 5.04-15.21% | Check rate on Sallie Mae's website | |
5.0 /5 | Mid-600s | 3.59-17.99% | 5.34-17.99% | Check rate on College Ave's website |
Our pick for
International student loans without co-signer
None
12.99-15.99%
N/A
Best for international students and students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, status.
- Offers a hard-to-find option: non-co-signed student loans for international and DACA students.
- Borrowers are assigned a dedicated student loan advisor.
- Borrowers can request forbearance of up to 24 months, which is longer than many lenders offer.
- Payment required while in school.
- Offers only one repayment term: 10 years.
- MPOWER considers future income potential but does not factor in credit scores.
- Loan amounts: Minimum $2,001. Maximum loan is $100,000, limited to $50,000 per academic period.
Our pick for
DACA student loans without co-signer
Low-Mid 600s
3.69-14.56%
5.66-14.72%
Requirements: All borrowers, including international students, must have a qualified co-signer.
- 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.
- Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible.
- Co-signer release not available to international students.
- 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: $2,001 to $200,000 per year with an aggregate loan limit of $200,000.
Our pick for
Graduate DACA student loans without co-signer
660
N/A
9.99-16.51%
- Option to skip one payment every 12 months.
- No late fees.
- Nine-month grace period is longer than most lenders offer.
- Limited to international graduate students from Canada, India, Mexico or South Korea.
- Loans aren't available in Nevada.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 758.
- Minimum income: $35,000.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to your total cost of attendance.
Our pick for
International student loans with co-signer
The lenders below accept applications for eligible noncitizens who have a U.S. co-signer.
Mid-600's
3.49-15.49%
5.04-15.21%
Requirements: Non-U.S. citizens must have a creditworthy co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- One of the few lenders to provide loans to part-time students.
- Non-U.S. citizens, including DACA students, who live in the U.S. and attend school in the U.S. can apply with a qualified co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- 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.
Mid-600s
3.59-17.99%
5.34-17.99%
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- More flexible repayment options than other lenders.
- Six-month grace period extension is available.
- You must be at least halfway through your repayment term before you can request a co-signer release.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Mid-700s.
- Minimum income: $35,000 per year.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to cost of attendance.
680
2.77-6.96%
5.00-9.44%
- May offer lower rates for graduate students than what are available through the federal government.
- Applies extra payments to the loan principal by default.
- Offers five loan terms, which is more than most lenders.
- Not available to borrowers enrolled in two year programs at community colleges.
- Biweekly payments via autopay is not available.
Our pick for
DACA student loans with a co-signer
600
4.24-14.02%
4.97-14.52%
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- No late fees.
- Principal reduction of 2% if you graduate.
- Stands out for features that enable faster loan repayment.
- Doesn't apply extra payments to the principal balance by default.
- Co-signer release of 36 months is longer than what many lenders offer.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 700 for a non-cosigned loan and 733 for co-signed loans.
- Minimum income: No minimum, but borrowers must demonstrate positive income.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to $99,999.
Our pick for
International student loans with a residency card
The lenders below accept applications for eligible noncitizens who have a residency card.
Does not disclose
5.29-8.04%
N/A
- Forbearance of 24 months is twice as long as most lenders.
- Loans are available if you’re enrolled less than half time.
- Fewer repayment terms than other lenders offer.
- Borrowers are not able to defer loans if they return to school after their grace period ends.
- 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.
Mid-600s
3.79-14.83%
5.79-15.86%
- 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.
- Does not offer bi-weekly payments via autopay.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 700+.
- Minimum income: No minimum.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 minimum.
Want to compare more options? Here are our other top picks:
Who is an eligible noncitizen?
U.S. nationals, including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island.
Individuals who have a “green card" as a U.S. permanent resident.
Those who have an Arrival-Departure Record from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services showing the following statuses: refugee; asylum granted; Cuban-Haitian Entrant; Conditional Entrant issued before April 1, 1980; or parolee.
Those who hold a T-nonimmigrant status, or those whose parents do.
Those who are “battered immigrant-qualified aliens,” or children of someone designated as such.
Citizens of Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands or the Republic of Palau. These individuals are only available for some types of federal aid, including Federal Pell Grants and Federal Work Study.
STUDENT LOAN RATINGS METHODOLOGY
Our survey of more than 26 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing includes the top 10 lenders by market share and top 10 lenders by online search volume, as well as lenders that serve specialty or nontraditional markets.
We consider 40 features and data points for each financial institution. Depending on the category, these include the availability of biweekly payments through autopay, minimum credit score and income requirement disclosures, availability to borrowers in all states, extended grace periods and in-house customer service.
The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star.
Read more about our ratings methodologies for student loans and our editorial guidelines.
Last updated on July 11, 2024
NerdWallet's International Student Loans for 2024
- MPOWER Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans without co-signer
- Ascent Credit-based Student Loan: Best for DACA student loans without co-signer
- Earnest International Graduate Loan: Best for Graduate DACA student loans without co-signer
- Sallie Mae Undergraduate Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer
- College Ave Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer
- Brazos Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer
- EDvestinU Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer
- Custom Choice Loan: Best for DACA student loans with a co-signer
- Advantage Education Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with a residency card
- SoFi Undergraduate Student Loan: Best for International student loans with a residency card