4 Student Loans for Bad Credit or No Credit of July 2026
If you have bad or no credit, federal student loans are a smart first option, because most don’t require a credit check to qualify. Federal student loans also offer flexible repayment options, fixed interest rates and forgiveness programs.
However, federal loans do have borrowing limits. If there’s still a cost gap to fill, consider private student loans from a bank, credit union or online lender that doesn't have credit score requirements or accepts co-signers.
Here are some lenders to consider if you need a student loan and have bad credit or no credit. Also, continue reading for tips on how to apply for student loans when you have bad credit or haven't established credit.
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.
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.
Student Loans for Bad Credit or No Credit
Lender | NerdWallet editorial rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.0 /5 | None | 13.32-15.48% | 12.36-14.51% | Check Rate on Ascent's website | |
4.0 /5 | None | 7.99-13.49% | N/A | Check Rate on Funding U's website | |
3.5 /5 | None | 10.24-16.65% | N/A | Check Rate on MPOWER's website | |
3.5 /5 | Does not disclose | 18.06-23.07% | 17.07-21.94% | Read Review on NerdWallet |
Our pick for
juniors and seniors with no credit and good grades
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: No minimum income requirement for outcomes-based loan.
- Loan amounts: $2,001–$20,000 annually (up to $200,000 aggregate).
- Option for students nearing graduation and not eligible for a credit-based loan.
- Offers a 1-percentage-point rate discount with automatic payments.
- No application, origination, prepayment or late fees.
- Available for students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
- Borrowers receive access to AscentUP, a platform to help students build school and career-ready skills.
- Available only for college juniors and seniors.
- Offers only fully-deferred repayment option.
- Not available to international students.
Ascent offers an outcomes-based option that doesn't require a co-signer and evaluates your application based on factors like earning potential, major and attendance in school.
Our pick for
students with good grades and no credit
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Credit scores are not used in underwriting.
- Minimum income: Not applicable.
- Loan amounts: $3,001 - $20,000.
- No fees.
- Extra payments are applied to the principal unless the borrower states otherwise.
- Offers up to 24 consecutive months of hardship forbearance.
- Academic progress is considered rather than credit score or income.
- Does not offer renewable or multi-year approval options.
- Borrowers are not assigned a dedicated advisor or banker when they have a Funding U loan.
- In cases of borrower disability, loan discharge is determined on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, disability discharge will be temporary.
- Compared to competitors, the loan amounts are smaller and the loan terms offered are shorter.
Our pick for
students with no or bad credit and no co-signer
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Not available. MPOWER does not require a credit score, but for those with a credit score the minimum is 600.
- Minimum income: Not available. MPOWER does not require a minimum income.
- Loan amounts: Minimum is $2,001. Maximum is $100,000, limited to $50,000 per academic period.
- Non-co-signed loan option designed for U.S. graduate students.
- Has a 0.25-percentage-point rate discount with automatic payments.
- Allows borrowers to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.
- Provides pre-approval within 30 minutes of application submission.
- Borrowers can request forbearance of up to 24 months, which is longer than many lenders offer.
- Charges an origination fee of 0% to 5% for U.S students. (How the amount is determined wasn’t provided.)
- Requires interest-only payment while the student is in school.
- Has a 6-month grace period (which is short compared to other lenders).
- Doesn’t allow co-signers for borrowers who want one.
- Has only one loan term.
Our pick for
students with no or bad credit
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $5,000 to $60,000.
- Borrowers are eligible for a 0.25% interest rate discount when they sign up for automatic payments.
- Offers academic deferment for borrowers who return to school.
- Up to 24 consecutive months of hardship forbearance.
- Allows co-signers. Co-signer release only requires a soft credit check.
- GradBridge charges a 5% origination fee and a late fee of 5% or $5 (whichever is less).
- Only offers three term lengths: 5, 10 and 15 years.
- Does not have in-house customer service representatives.
Student loans for bad credit: how to apply
Even with bad or no credit, you can still apply for student loans. Here are the steps to take:
Start with federal student loans. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, to apply for federal student loans as well as free aid such as grants, scholarships and work-study. Federal student loans don't have credit requirements, and they come with income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness programs.
Supplement with co-signed private loans. If federal loans don't cover your expenses and you need a private student loan, applying with a co-signer with good credit and steady income will help you qualify and get a better rate. Your co-signer will be responsible for your debt if you can’t repay it.
If you can’t find a co-signer, consider loans you can get independently. Some private lenders that offer student loans don't factor in credit scores when determining eligibility. Instead, they consider factors like future income potential, major and GPA.
Compare student loan features. When shopping for a private loan, compare offers to get the lowest interest rate you qualify for. Find out if there are origination, prepayment or late fees, and note whether the lender will postpone payments in case you have difficulty affording them. Finally, determine 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 since it won’t increase or change over time.
Keep an eye on the bottom line. Use a student loan calculator to see your monthly payments and total interest costs.
How to a get private student loan for bad credit
If you have poor credit, you’ll likely need a co-signer to qualify for a private student loan. A few lenders offer loans without credit or co-signer requirements, but their interest rates may be higher.
Most private lenders require borrowers to have a credit score in the mid-600s or higher. If you don’t have credit or your credit history is thin, you have two options for private loans:
A private loan from one of the few lenders that don’t have credit or co-signer requirements.
A private loan with a co-signer who has good credit.
» MORE: Best private student loans without a co-signer
Can I refinance student loans with bad credit?
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, good credit and a history of on-time debt payments.
Federal student loans can also be refinanced. However, this is a risky move, because refinancing federal loans makes you permanently ineligible for federal protections like loan forgiveness programs and monthly payments based on your income.
Student loan options for parents with bad credit
Parents with bad credit have fewer options for parent loans. You'll likely need a guarantor or a co-signer to qualify.
Federal parent PLUS loans require parent borrowers to not have adverse credit history — a negative mark on your credit history such as charged-off payments, default or bankruptcy. If your parent PLUS loan application is denied you can try to get an endorser (similar to a co-signer) who can qualify. Or you can appeal the decision with the Department of Education by providing documentation of extenuating circumstances.
As of July 1, 2026, parent PLUS loans have a cap of $20,000 per year per student, with a lifetime limit of $65,000 per student. Also, new parent PLUS loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, are only eligible for the tiered standard repayment plan — not income-driven repayment.
Your next best option is to look for private student loans for parents that allow you to have a co-signer.
Student loan alternatives
If you don’t qualify for student loans due to poor credit, there are alternatives to college to consider. Apprenticeships, trade school, community college and bootcamps offer educational training that typically costs less than a four-year degree.
You may also be able to find jobs that will pay for college. Starbucks, for instance, pays 100% of employee tuition for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program.
Last updated on June 26, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a student loan if I have no credit?
Start with federal undergraduate student loans, which don't require a specific credit score. For private student loans, consider lenders like Ascent and Funding U.
Can you get a student loan with poor credit?
It's possible to get a student loan when you have poor credit or no credit. Most federal student loans don’t require a credit check or established credit history to qualify, making them your best option if you have poor or no credit. Most private student loans require good credit or a co-signer with good credit. If you have no credit or bad credit, as well as no co-signer, you may still be able to get a private student loan but expect a very high interest rate.
What credit score do you need for a student loan?
Federal student loans don't have a minimum credit score. If you need a private student loan after exhausting federal aid, you or a co-signer will typically need a FICO score in the mid-600s or higher to qualify.
Are there student loans that don't require a credit check?
There’s no credit check for federal undergraduate student loans. While some private lenders don’t require a specific credit score, they may still check for negative credit history like loan defaults.
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.
20
Lenders reviewed
20
Lenders reviewed
We reviewed 20 banks, credit unions and online lenders — including the top by market share and search volume — plus lenders serving niche and nontraditional borrowers.
10+
Categories designated
10+
Categories designated
Each lender is evaluated across weighted categories, covering dozens of features related to flexibility, affordability, availability, transparency and customer experience.
60+
Data points analyzed
60+
Data points analyzed
Our team tracks and reassesses more than 60 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 20 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing. We included the top lenders by market share and 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.
Within weighted categories, we consider dozens of features and more than 60 data points for each financial institution. Depending on the category, these may include the availability of bi-weekly 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 Student Loans for Bad Credit or No Credit of July 2026
- Ascent: Best for juniors and seniors with no credit and good grades, Fixed APR: 13.32-15.48%
- Funding U: Best for students with good grades and no credit, Fixed APR: 7.99-13.49%
- MPOWER: Best for students with no or bad credit and no co-signer, Fixed APR: 10.24-16.65%
- GradBridge: Best for students with no or bad credit, Fixed APR: 18.06-23.07%