BEST OF
8 Best Student Loans Without a Co-Signer of January 2021
Always opt for federal student loans before choosing a private student loan.
8 student loans without a co-signer:
Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan
Ascent Private Student Loan
Funding U Private Student Loan
A.M. Private Student Loan
MPOWER Private Student Loan
Prodigy Private Student Loan
Stride Funding Income Share Agreement
Avenify Income Share Agreement
Federal student loans don’t require credit history or a co-signer. They’re also the most flexible when it’s time to repay, so use them first.
But to afford college, some students may need private student loans, which are credit-based. A small number of private lenders offer student loans without a co-signer. You’ll pay higher interest rates as a result.
Review our picks and instructions for how to shop for a student loan without a co-signer.
8 student loans without a co-signer:
Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan
Ascent Private Student Loan
Funding U Private Student Loan
A.M. Private Student Loan
MPOWER Private Student Loan
Prodigy Private Student Loan
Stride Funding Income Share Agreement
Avenify Income Share Agreement
Federal student loans don’t require credit history or a co-signer. They’re also the most flexible when it’s time to repay, so use them first.
But to afford college, some students may need private student loans, which are credit-based. A small number of private lenders offer student loans without a co-signer. You’ll pay higher interest rates as a result.
Review our picks and instructions for how to shop for a student loan without a co-signer.
Summary of Best Student Loans Without a Co-Signer of January 2021
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for All student loan borrowers as their first option | 2.75 - 4.30% | N/A | None | Read review | |
Best for Upperclassmen with no credit, income or co-signer | 6.67 - 14.51% | 5.88 - 12.98% | Varies | Check Rate on Ascent's website | |
Best for Students with a strong GPA | 7.08 - 8.85% | N/A | None | Read review | |
Best for International students | 7.52 - 14.98% | N/A | N/A | Read review | |
Best for International graduate students | N/A | 7.52 - 12.00% | N/A | Read review | |
Best for Income share agreements | N/A | N/A | None | Check Rate on Stride's website | |
Best for Income Share Agreement for Nursing Students | N/A | N/A | None | Read review | |
Best for Students with a strong GPA | 7.99 - 14.99% | N/A | None | Check Rate on Funding U's website |
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.
Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
Our pick for
Upperclassmen with no credit, income or co-signer
Future income-based: You'll be evaluated based on your future earning potential, rather than your current income or credit.
on Ascent's website
Independent Student Loan
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Ascent's website
Our pick for
Students with a strong GPA
Approval is primarily determined by your GPA.
A.M. Money Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
Our pick for
International students
You must be from one of the 180 countries MPOWER works with. DACA students do not need a Social Security number.
MPOWER Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
Our pick for
International graduate students
Considers future income, rather than current income or credit score, to make lending decisions.
Prodigy Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
Our pick for
Income share agreements

on Stride's website
Stride Funding Income Share Agreement

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Stride's website
Our pick for
Income Share Agreement for Nursing Students
Avenify Income Share Agreement

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
Our pick for
Students with a strong GPA

on Funding U's website
Funding U Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Funding U's website
How to shop for a student loan without a co-signer
Take out federal student loans first. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, to get access to federal loans, grants and scholarships. Federal loans should be your first stop: They offer lower interest rates and come with income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness programs.
Build credit before you apply for a private student loan. While undergrads generally don’t have the credit history required to get a loan in their own names, graduate students over age 21 might. You’ll have the best shot at a private loan with competitive interest rates if your credit score is 690 or above. Strengthen it before applying for a loan by fixing errors on your credit report, paying all bills on time and using as little of your credit limit as possible.
Compare loan features. When shopping for a private loan without a co-signer, compare offers to get the lowest interest rate you qualify for. Note whether the lender will postpone payments in case you have difficulty affording them, and for how long. 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.
Opt for a fixed interest rate. Given the choice, a fixed interest rate is a safer bet than a variable interest rate. It won’t increase over time.
Keep an eye on the bottom line. Use a student loan calculator to see what kind of payment you’ll face after borrowing for multiple years.
Consider refinancing in the future. Once you’re out of school and have built a credit profile, you may be able to refinance private student loans to a lower interest rate. You’ll generally need solid income, a credit score of 690 or higher and a history of on-time debt payments.
Student loans that don't require a co-signer
Lender | Type of loan | Available to |
---|---|---|
Federal direct student loan | Requires no cosigner or credit history | All student loan borrowers as their first option |
Ascent | Based on future income | Juniors and seniors |
Ascent | Based on credit history | Borrowers with 680 or higher credit scores and adequate income |
Funding U | Based on academic record and future potential | Undergraduates at eligible schools |
A.M. Money | Based on GPA | Undergraduates at a limited list of schools |
MPOWER | Based on earnings potential and positive payment history | International students |
Prodigy Finance | Based on earnings potential | International grad students |
Stride | Income share agreement | Primarily health care and STEM grad students; juniors and seniors may also qualify |
Avenify | Income share agreement | Nursing students nearing graduation |
Last updated on December 23, 2020
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Student Loans Without a Co-Signer of January 2021
- Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan: Best for All student loan borrowers as their first option
- Independent Student Loan: Best for Upperclassmen with no credit, income or co-signer
- A.M. Money Private Student Loan: Best for Students with a strong GPA
- MPOWER Private Student Loan: Best for International students
- Prodigy Private Student Loan: Best for International graduate students
- Stride Funding Income Share Agreement: Best for Income share agreements
- Avenify Income Share Agreement: Best for Income Share Agreement for Nursing Students
- Funding U Private Student Loan: Best for Students with a strong GPA
Frequently asked questions
You can receive federal student loans without a co-signer. 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.
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.
Most undergraduate students will need a co-signer to qualify for a private student loan from Sallie Mae. The lender reports that 90% of its borrowers use a co-signer.
You’ll likely need a credit score of at least 690 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.