6 Part-Time Student Loan Options of January 2026
Students with less than half time enrollment have fewer options for student loans. And federal loans aren't on the list.
College students who go to school part time may have difficulty finding student loans if they are enrolled below a half time schedule.
Most private lenders require that borrowers attend at least half time or full time to qualify. Federal direct loan borrowers must be enrolled at least half time.
» MORE: How to pay for college
Part-time students enrolled at least half time should start by taking out federal student loans before considering a loan from private lenders. If you’re enrolled less than half time, there are a few private lending options to choose from. You’ll find these below, plus other borrowing information part-time students should know.
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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.
Part-Time Student Loan Options
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% | Check Rate on College Ave's website | |
4.5 /5 | Mid-600's | 2.89-17.49% | 3.87-16.50% | Check Rate from Sallie Mae | |
5.0 /5 | Mid-600s | 3.18-15.99% | 4.39-15.99% | Check Rate on SoFi®'s website | |
4.5 /5 | Does not disclose | 5.29-8.04% | N/A | Read Review on NerdWallet | |
4.5 /5 | 690 | 2.71-7.38% | 3.85-6.24% | Read Review on NerdWallet |
- 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.
Sallie Mae offers flexible repayment options including its interest-only repayment option in school and during the grace period and a rate that is 1% lower than the traditional deferred repayment option. Borrowers can defer payments while enrolled in school, even while attending less than half time.
- 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.
Advantage Education Loans are fixed-rate loans from the nonprofit Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp. They're available outside Kentucky, but not in every state. You can use an Advantage Education Loan if you’re enrolled less than half-time, provided you immediately enter repayment, and for non-degree programs like certification courses.
- 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.
- Best for borrowers looking for a loan with flexible repayment plans and a long grace period.
- Students enrolled less than half-time are eligible, a feature not offered by many other lenders.
- Offers a .05% rate reduction for every six months of consecutive payments, up to 0.25%.
- Provides In-School Default Protection for borrowers making interest or partial interest payments while enrolled.
- Not available in WV.
What is a part-time student?
Each school determines its own full-time or part-time status. Typically, full-time status means you’re enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester. Half-time status means enrolling in six credit hours per semester. Taking fewer than six credit hours would be considered less than half time.
One big challenge part-time students face is that they may need to make payments while still in school. It will depend on your enrollment status and your lender.
Federal student loans: Repayment will begin if you fall below half-time status.
Private student loans: Check with your lender. Many will require repayment to begin if you fall below half-time status, but a few will allow you to defer payments even if you take just one class per semester.
If you have existing student loans you took out as a full-time or half-time student and transition to less than half-time enrollment, you may need to begin repaying those loans while you’re in school. Check with your lender or student loan servicer.
» COMPARE: Federal vs. private student loans
How to shop for part-time student loans
Submit the FAFSA. If you are above half-time enrollment, you may qualify for federal student loans, which offer more protections and repayment flexibility than private loans.
Build credit or find a co-signer before you apply for a private student loan. While undergrads generally don’t have the credit history required to get a loan without a co-signer, students over the age of 21 might. You’ll have the best shot at a private loan with competitive interest rates if your credit score is 690 or above. Strengthen it before applying for a loan by fixing errors on your credit report, paying all bills on time and using as little of your credit limit as possible. Otherwise, you’ll need to find a co-signer who can qualify to take out the loan with you.
Compare private lending options. Attending college less than half time will limit your private student loan options, but there are a few lenders who offer loans for less than half-time enrollment. Compare private loan offers to get the lowest interest rate you qualify for. Note whether the lender will postpone payments in case you have difficulty affording them, and for how long. Find out if there are origination, prepayment or late fees, and 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. It won’t increase over time. You can always refinance it later to get a lower rate.
Keep an eye on the bottom line. Use a student loan payment calculator to see what kind of payment you’ll face after borrowing for multiple years.
Last updated on January 12, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is half-time enrollment in college?
Half-time enrollment depends on how your college defines a full-time course load. With a typical 12-hour semester course load, half-time enrollment is six hours.
Can part-time students use federal student loans?
Part-time students may only use federal loans if they're enrolled at least half-time, which is generally six hours or more per semester.
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