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We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
Paying for College
College guides, tools and tips
How to pay for college: the basics
Student loans from our partners

on Sallie Mae website
Sallie Mae
4.5
NerdWallet rating
4.5
NerdWallet ratingMid-600's
on Sallie Mae website

on College Ave website
College Ave
Best for payment flexibility
5.0
NerdWallet rating
5.0
NerdWallet ratingMid-600s
on College Ave website
on Citizens website
Citizens
4.0
NerdWallet rating4.0
NerdWallet ratingDoes not disclose
on Citizens website
on Credible’s website
Ascent
Best for customer support and wide availability
5.0
NerdWallet rating5.0
NerdWallet ratingLow-Mid 600s
on Credible’s website

on MPOWER website
MPOWER
4.0
NerdWallet rating
4.0
NerdWallet rating12.99% - 15.99%
None
on MPOWER website
on Credible’s website
Ascent
Best for customer support and wide availability
5.0
NerdWallet rating5.0
NerdWallet ratingLow-Mid 600s
on Credible’s website
on Funding U website
Funding U
4.5
NerdWallet rating4.5
NerdWallet ratingNone
on Funding U website

on MPOWER website
MPOWER
4.0
NerdWallet rating
4.0
NerdWallet rating12.99% - 15.99%
None
on MPOWER website

on SoFi® website
SoFi®
4.0
NerdWallet rating
4.0
NerdWallet rating650
on SoFi® website
on Earnest website
Earnest
4.5
NerdWallet rating4.5
NerdWallet rating665
on Earnest website

on Credible’s website
ELFI
Best for faster repayment options
4.5
NerdWallet rating
4.5
NerdWallet rating680
on Credible’s website

on College Ave website
College Ave
Best for payment flexibility
5.0
NerdWallet rating
5.0
NerdWallet ratingMid-600s
on College Ave website

on Sallie Mae website
Sallie Mae
4.5
NerdWallet rating
4.5
NerdWallet ratingMid-600's
on Sallie Mae website

on MPOWER website
MPOWER
4.0
NerdWallet rating
4.0
NerdWallet rating12.99% - 15.99%
None
on MPOWER website

on College Ave website
College Ave
5.0
NerdWallet rating
5.0
NerdWallet ratingMid-600s
on College Ave website

on Sallie Mae website
Sallie Mae
4.5
NerdWallet rating
4.5
NerdWallet ratingMid-600's
on Sallie Mae website
on Credible’s website
Ascent
Best for customer support and wide availability
5.0
NerdWallet rating5.0
NerdWallet ratingLow-Mid 600s
on Credible’s website
on Earnest website
Earnest
4.5
NerdWallet rating4.5
NerdWallet rating650
on Earnest website