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Paying for Graduate School
Graduate school guides and tip sheets
How to pay for grad school: the basics
Featured video

Applying to graduate school? Here's how to pay for it.
If you’re considering graduate school in 2024, make sure you have a funding plan in place ahead of time. Costs for graduate school can vary greatly depending on the type and length of the program, but there are opportunities to help cut down out-of-pocket costs. Cecilia Clark, our student loans expert, walks through all of the options available, and how to get started.
Student loans from our partners

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 SoFi® website
SoFi®
5.0
NerdWallet rating
5.0
NerdWallet ratingMid-600s
on SoFi® 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 SoFi® website
SoFi®
5.0
NerdWallet rating
5.0
NerdWallet ratingMid-600s
on SoFi® 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