Ascent Review: Private Student Loans
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Student loan ratings
Private student loan
Private student loan
Dental school loan
Graduate student loan
Law school loan
MBA loan
Medical school loan
5.0
The bottom line:
Ascent is an online lender that offers three options for student loan borrowers: a traditional co-signed loan, a non-co-signed credit-based option and a non-co-signed future income-based option. Its co-signed loan is best for students who want to use a co-signer and pay off loans fast. Its non-co-signed credit-based option is best for borrowers with at least two years of credit history who can meet income requirements. Its non-co-signed future-income option is best for upperclassmen with no credit, income or co-signer.
Private student loan review
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingon Ascent's website
Pros
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.
Cons
Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible.
Co-signer release not available to international students.
Best for students with a creditworthy co-signer.
How does this loan compare?
|  |  |
Min. credit scoreVaries | Min. credit score650 | Min. credit scoreMid-600's |
Fixed APR4.48-15.27% | Fixed APR4.45-14.90% | Fixed APR4.50-14.83% |
Variable APR5.98-15.63% | Variable APR5.15-16.42% | Variable APR5.99-16.33% |
Private student loan review
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingon Ascent's website
Pros
Among the best for payment flexibility.
Grace period of 9 months is longer than most lenders.
Cons
International students are not eligible.
Freshmen, sophomores and those enrolled less than half-time are not eligible for future-income based loan.
Best for independent students with strong credit or upperclassmen with good grades.
Dental school loan review
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingon Ascent's website
Pros
Among the best for payment flexibility.
Grace period of 12 months is longer than many lenders offer.
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.
Cons
You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify.
Best for dental students who want flexible payment options.
Graduate student loan review
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingon Ascent's website
Pros
Forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders offer.
Grace period of 9 months is longer than many lenders offer.
You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
Cons
You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify.
Best for graduate students who want flexible payment options.
Law school loan review
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingon Ascent's website
Pros
Among the best for payment flexibility.
Grace period of 9 months is longer than many lenders offer.
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.
Cons
You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify.
Best for law students who want flexible payment options.
MBA loan review
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingon Ascent's website
Pros
Among the best for payment flexibility.
Grace period of 9 months is longer than many lenders offer.
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.
Cons
You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify.
Best for MBA students who want flexible payment options.
Medical school loan review
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingon Ascent's website
Pros
Among the best for payment flexibility.
Grace period of 36 months is longer than many lenders offer.
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.
Best for medical students who want flexible payment options.
STUDENT LOAN RATINGS METHODOLOGY
Our survey of more than 29 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing includes the top 10 lenders by market share and top 10 lenders by online search volume, as well as lenders that serve specialty or nontraditional markets.
We consider 40 features and 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 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.
Frequently asked questions
Ascent is a five-star lender based on NerdWallet's student loan rating system. Our ratings prioritize low interest rates and flexible repayment options that allow borrowers to repay loans faster and avoid default.
Ascent offers a non-cosigned future income-based loan. This loan is available to students with no co-signer and no credit history.
International and undocumented students can apply for an Ascent student loan with a credit-worthy co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
