International Student Loans of January 2026
International students going to school in America have fewer student loan options than most U.S. borrowers. Unless you’re an eligible noncitizen who can qualify for federal student loans, you may need to borrow from a private lender.
You'll find international student loan lenders below, as well as guidance on who can qualify for federal student loans as an eligible noncitizen.
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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.
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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.
International Student Loans
Lender | NerdWallet editorial rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for payment flexibility 5.0 /5 | Mid-600s | 2.74-17.99% | 3.89-17.99% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
4.5 /5 | Mid-600's | 2.89-17.49% | 3.87-16.50% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
Best for customer support and wide availability 5.0 /5 | Low-Mid 600s | 2.69-15.31% | 3.99-15.40% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
5.0 /5 | Mid-600s | 3.18-15.99% | 4.39-15.99% | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
4.0 /5 | None | 12.99-15.99% | N/A | Read Review on NerdWallet |
Our pick for
International student loans with co-signer
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Mid-700s.
- Minimum income: $35,000 per year.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to cost of attendance.
- 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 or co-signers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified expenses.
- 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.
Requirements: Non-U.S. citizens must have a creditworthy co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- 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 without co-signer
- 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.
- 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.
Requirements: All borrowers, including international students, must have a qualified co-signer.
Our pick for
International student loans with a residency card
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 700+.
- Minimum income: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 minimum.
- 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: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: Minimum $1,000. Maximum depends on creditworthiness and debt-to-income ratio.
- 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.
Our pick for
International student loans without 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.
Best for international students and students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, status.
Our pick for
DACA student loans with a co-signer
- 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 minimum loan amount with an aggregate student loan limit (total amount of outstanding student loan debt) of $225,000.
- 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.
Our pick for
Graduate DACA student loans without co-signer
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 758.
- Minimum income: $35,000.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to your total cost of attendance.
- 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.
Want to compare more options? Here are our other top picks:
Private loans for international students attending college in the U.S.
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 (a credit score of at least 690) for approval and to get the lowest rates.
You may be able to find a private lender that doesn't require a co-signer, but you'll likely pay higher interest rates as a result.
» MORE: Refinance international student loans
How to find a co-signer for international student loans
Since many international students do not have a credit history in the U.S., they likely need a qualified co-signer.
Co-signers typically must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with proof of consistent income, good credit and the ability to pay back the loan if the borrower cannot.
International students commonly have a family member permanently residing in the U.S. co-sign their student loans. However, co-signers can be people outside your family as well, like professors, mentors or religious leaders. A co-signer should be someone you know well and trust. As a co-signer, this person shares legal responsibility for repayment of your student loan.
How to get an international student loan without a co-signer
If you're unable to get a co-signer but still want a private loan, some lenders consider your program of study, academic performance and future career prospects when evaluating potential borrowers. International student loans without a co-signer may carry higher interest rates than loans with co-signers. Be sure to review the terms and conditions before choosing a loan.
Are international students eligible for federal loans?
International students may be eligible to receive federal student aid, including loans, if they meet the following criteria:
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 eligible for some types of federal aid, including Pell Grants and work-study. .
Certain Native American students born in Canada with a status under the Jay Treaty of 1794.
Do international students fill out FAFSA?
Most states and colleges use information collected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to assess aid eligibility. Even if you do not meet the eligible noncitizen criteria for federal aid, you can still complete the FAFSA to apply for state or school aid.
To access the FAFSA, you will need a Social Security number to create a StudentAid.gov account. Note that a parent or spouse does not need a Social Security number to complete their portion of the applicant’s FAFSA. A parent or spouse’s citizenship status will also not impact the student’s ability to complete the FAFSA.
» MORE: How to fill out the FAFSA if your parents are undocumented
Can DACA students get loans or financial aid?
Students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not typically eligible for federal student loans. However, undocumented DACA students may be able to receive other types of student financial aid from their state or college, such as scholarships or tuition discounts. For example, twenty-three states plus Washington, D.C. offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented students, as of July 2025.
DACA students should start by consulting their school’s financial aid office about financial aid options and the application process. tFor more information about DACA financial aid policies by state, check the resources from research coalition Higher Ed Immigration Portal.
Some private lenders may also offer student loans to DACA students.
Scholarships for international students
Whether you’re an eligible noncitizen for federal student loans, an undocumented student or an international student seeking private loans, there are other financial aid options to explore before borrowing money.
Start by researching funding opportunities from your country’s embassy or governmental educational office to see if there are applicable scholarships. You can also use the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop scholarship search engine to identify scholarships, fellowships, grants and financial aid awards. You can also use this website to research career and job prospects for your chosen field of study.
Check with the college you’ll be attending to see if they offer financial aid to international students, and consider finding an advising center to help navigate the financial aid process. The U.S. State Department’s Education USA program, for example, advises international students on topics like how to finance college in the U.S., the student visa process and standardized testing requirements.
» MORE: Personal loans for non-citizens
Last updated on January 12, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Can international students get student loans?
International students are not typically eligible for federal student loans from the U.S. government. However, they may qualify for private student loans, especially if they have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Can DACA recipients get financial aid for college?
DACA recipients are generally ineligible for federal student loans or grants, but they may qualify for financial aid from their state, college or private organizations.
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 International Student Loans of January 2026
- College Ave Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer, Fixed APR: 2.74-17.99%
- Sallie Mae Undergraduate Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer, Fixed APR: 2.89-17.49%
- Ascent Credit-based Student Loan: Best for DACA student loans without co-signer, Fixed APR: 2.69-15.31%
- SoFi® Undergraduate Student Loan: Best for International student loans with a residency card, Fixed APR: 3.18-15.99%
- MPOWER Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans without co-signer, Fixed APR: 12.99-15.99%
- Custom Choice Loan®: Best for DACA student loans with a co-signer, Fixed APR: 2.85-15.61%
- Earnest International Graduate Loan: Best for Graduate DACA student loans without co-signer, Fixed APR: undisclosed
- Brazos Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer, Fixed APR: 2.71-7.38%
- EDvestinU Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with co-signer, Fixed APR: 6.00-9.94%
- Advantage Education Private Student Loan: Best for International student loans with a residency card, Fixed APR: 5.29-8.04%