4 Best Student Loans Without a Co-signer of January 2026
Applying for a student loan with a co-signer can improve your chances of being approved and getting a lower interest rate. But some lenders allow you to apply without a co-signer, basing your eligibility on your credit or factors like grades and future income potential.
Review our picks for student loans without a co-signer, and learn the steps to get the best loan for you.
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- 19 student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and consumer lending.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 40 categories and more than 50 data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
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Why trust NerdWallet
- 19 student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and consumer lending.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 40 categories and more than 50 data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Best Student Loans Without a Co-signer
Lender | NerdWallet editorial rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.0 /5 | None | 6.39-7.94% | N/A | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
Best for customer support and wide availability 5.0 /5 | Low-Mid 600s | 12.90-15.08% | 12.63-14.77% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
4.5 /5 | None | 7.95-12.49% | N/A | Read Review on NerdWallet |
Our pick for
All student loan borrowers as their first option
Federal loans are preferable to private ones because they're eligible for income-driven repayment and loan forgiveness.
- No credit check or minimum income is needed to borrow.
- Loan amounts for undergraduates: $5,500 year one, $6,500 year two, $7,500 year three and thereafter, up to a total of $31,000
- Independent students and graduate students have higher loan limits.
- Undergraduate interest rate fixed at 3.73%, while grad students get higher 5.28% rate
- More flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers than other lenders.
- Subsidized loans do not collect interest while in school or during deferment.
- Lower interest rates than many private lenders.
- You pay an origination fee.
Federal direct loans offer generous repayment flexibility and among the lowest fixed interest rates you’ll find.
Our pick for
Upperclassmen with no credit, income or co-signer
Outcomes-based: You'll be evaluated based on your future earning potential, rather than your current income or credit.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
- Minimum income: $30,000 per year for credit-based loan. No minimum for future-income based loan.
- Loan amounts: $2,001 to $200,000 per year with an aggregate loan limit of $200,000 for credit-based loan. $2,001 to $20,000 per year for future-income based loan.
- Among the best for payment flexibility.
- Grace period of 9 months is longer than most lenders.
- International students are not eligible.
- Freshmen, sophomores and those enrolled less than half-time are not eligible for the Outcomes-based loan.
Our pick for
Students with a strong GPA
These loans require borrowers to have and maintain a certain GPA to qualify.
- Minimum income: No minimum, but borrowers must demonstrate they can pay $20 per month toward their loan.
- Loan amounts: $3,001 up to $20,000.
- You don't need a co-signer or credit to get a loan.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Loans aren't available in 10 states.
- Payment required while in school.
Our pick for
International students with no co-signer
- 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.
- 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.
What is a student loan co-signer?
A co-signer on a private education loan is someone who shares the legal financial responsibility to repay borrowed funds. Some undergraduate students may not yet have enough credit history to qualify for a loan in their own name. Using a co-signer, such as a parent or relative, can help you get a loan with a lower interest rate.
But if you have a solid credit history, with a credit score in the mid to high 600s, or the lender considers factors beyond your credit, you may be eligible for private student loans without a co-signer.
» MORE: Should you co-sign a student loan?
How to get a student loan without a co-signer
Utilize federal aid first before exploring private student loans without a co-signer. Federal financial aid includes money you don't have to pay back — like funding from grants, scholarships and work-study programs.
If you’ve exhausted your federal aid and need to turn to a private loan, a few lenders do offer funding to students without co-signers. Be prepared for private lenders to assess you on future earning potential and academic outcomes, in addition to verifying a credit score in the mid to high 600s.
Apply for federal student loans; no co-signer needed
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing the FAFSA gets you access to grants and federal student loans that don’t require a co-signer or credit check and often come with lower interest rates. Federal loans also have more repayment options, like income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness programs if you struggle to afford payments down the road.
Review your FAFSA Submission Summary. After completing the FAFSA, you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary, which outlines the federal loans you’re eligible for, such as direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
Determine how much money to borrow. You may be eligible to take out multiple federal loans, but there are limits on how much you can borrow based on your loan type, year in school and whether you are a dependent or independent student.
Supplement with private loans. If you have financial gaps to fill after federal aid, private student loans are an option.
Apply for private student loans without a co-signer
Private student loans are provided by non-governmental entities such as banks, credit unions and state-based agencies. While some private lenders offer benefits, they aren’t typically as generous as federal student loan terms.
Build credit before you apply for a private student loan. If you have credit, do what you can to strengthen your credit score before applying for a loan. Fix errors on your credit report, pay down any debt and use as little of your credit limit as possible.
Compare requirements and loan features. When shopping for a private loan without a co-signer, review lenders’ qualification requirements and compare offers to get the lowest interest rate you qualify for. Find out if there are origination, prepayment or late fees, and how easily you can reach the lender by phone, email or live chat if you encounter a billing or customer service issue. Note whether the lender will postpone payments in case you have difficulty affording them.
Opt for a fixed interest rate. Given the choice, a fixed interest rate is a safer bet than a variable interest rate. Fixed rates don't increase over time.
Keep an eye on the bottom line. Use a student loan calculator to see what kind of payment you’ll have once repayment begins.
Consider refinancing in the future. Once you’ve graduated and had time to build your credit profile, you may be able to refinance private student loans to an even lower interest rate. But again, you'll generally need a solid income, a credit score in the mid to high 600s and a history of on-time debt payments.
Pros and cons of student loans without a co-signer
Consider these pros and cons before opting for student loan with no co-signer.
Pros of student loans without a co-signer | Cons of student loans without a co-signer |
|---|---|
Accessibility: These loans are available to students regardless of their ability to find a co-signer. | Fewer options: There are not many no co-signer private loans for undergraduate students. |
Federal benefits: When you opt for a federal student loan, you get more repayment options and borrower protections. | Interest rates: Rates can be higher. |
Liability: No co-signer to take on liability for your loans. | Limited repayment options: If you opt for a private loan, you won't have access to income-driven repayment plans or loan forgiveness. |
Last updated on January 12, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How do you get a student loan without a co-signer?
Complete the FAFSA to receive federal student loans, which don’t require a co-signer. Private lenders that don’t need a co-signer may evaluate you based on your credit and future earning potential.
What is the minimum credit score for a private loan?
You’ll likely need a credit score in the mid to high 600s to get a private loan. But you’ll also need to meet a lender’s other financial requirements, such as having steady income, to qualify.
How we chose the best student loans
Our team of student loan experts follows an objective and robust methodology to rate lenders and pick the best.
19
Lenders reviewed
19
Lenders reviewed
We reviewed 19 banks, credit unions, and online lenders — including the top 10 by market share and search volume — plus lenders serving niche and nontraditional borrowers.
40
Features assessed
40
Features assessed
Each lender is evaluated across five weighted categories, covering dozens of features related to affordability, eligibility, consumer experience, flexibility, and application process.
50+
Data points analyzed
50+
Data points analyzed
Our team tracks and reassesses more than 50 data points annually, including APR ranges, fees, credit requirements, and borrower tools, ensuring up to date, accurate comparisons.
Star rating categories
We evaluate more categories than competitors and carefully weigh how each factor impacts your experience.
5.0
Overall score
NerdWallet reviewed 19 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing. We included the top 10 lenders by market share and the top 10 lenders by online search volume, as well as lenders that serve specialty or nontraditional markets. Some lenders are NerdWallet partners, but this did not influence our selection of the winner.
We consider 40 features and more than 50 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 a wide range of 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.
NerdWallet's Best Student Loans Without a Co-signer of January 2026
- Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan: Best for All student loan borrowers as their first option, Fixed APR: 6.39-7.94%
- Ascent Non-Cosigned Student Loan: Best for Upperclassmen with no credit, income or co-signer, Fixed APR: 12.90-15.08%
- Funding U Private Student Loan: Best for Students with a strong GPA, Fixed APR: 7.95-12.49%
- MPOWER Private Student Loan: Best for International students with no co-signer, Fixed APR: 12.99-15.99%