15 Best Student Loans for Community College of January 2026
Apply for free financial aid first, then use federal student loans before turning to private lenders if you need help paying for community college.
Private student loans should be a last resort for community college — after local and federal aid, federal loans and maybe even savings.
Here are lenders that can help you fill any gaps, as well as tips for affording community college and shopping for loans.
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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.
- 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.
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.
Best Student Loans for Community College
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 |
Our pick for
Private Student Loan
- 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.
- 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.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
- Minimum income: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 to $50,000.
- Interest rate discount for autopay is larger than most lenders offer.
- You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- 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.
- Loans aren't available in Nevada.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 670.
- Minimum income: No minimum income.
- Loan amounts: $1,001 or $2,001, based on residency and school location, up to cost of attendance minus other aid received.
- Forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders offer.
- No late fees.
- Only offers 2 loan terms.
- 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.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 with an aggregate loan limit of $125,000 (Undergrad).
- Provides rate offer with soft credit check.
- Does not disclose full underwriting requirements.
- Does not allow bi-weekly payments via autopay.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 768.
- Minimum income: $40,000.
- Loan amounts: $1,500 to $45,000.
- Income-based repayment plan available, with forgiveness after 25 years.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Partial loan forgiveness for eligible internships; interest forgiveness for qualifying nurses.
- Fewer repayment terms available than other lenders.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 787.
- Minimum income: $30,000.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to your total cost of attendance.
- In-person support and counseling are available.
- Deferment/forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders.
- Doesn’t offer academic forbearance for borrowers who return to school.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
- Minimum income: $26,200
- Loan amounts: Minimum: $2,000 for a private college, $1,500 for a public college; maximum: total cost of attendance minus other financial aid.
- No late fees.
- You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Only one repayment plan offers co-signer release.
- 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.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 to $100,000.
- Six-month grace period extension is available.
- Loyalty discount for existing Citizens Bank customers.
- Multiyear loan approval is available.
- You must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- 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.
- No credit check or minimum income is needed to borrow.
- Loan amounts for undergraduates: $5,500 year one, $6,500 year two, $7,500 year three and thereafter, up to a total of $31,000
- Independent students and graduate students have higher loan limits.
- Undergraduate interest rate fixed at 3.73%, while grad students get higher 5.28% rate
- More flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers than other lenders.
- Subsidized loans do not collect interest while in school or during deferment.
- Lower interest rates than many private lenders.
- You pay an origination fee.
What to do before taking out private loans
Private loans may help you afford community college. But, of course, you must repay these loans — plus interest.
Since there are other affordable options, we recommend trying to tap money from the government that you either receive for free or as loans with more generous terms.
Explore tuition-free programs
Thirty-five states have made community college tuition-free for residents who meet certain eligibility requirements. Each state’s program is unique in its requirements and type of funding.See which states cover community college tuition and program details on scholarship websites like Scholarships360.
Several schools and cities also offer programs that make public college more affordable, so research opportunities in your area, too.
Some of these scholarship programs want you to take advantage of federal and state grants first, so be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA.
Submitting the FAFSA as early as possible boosts your chances of securing aid from a limited pool of funds. While you have until June 30, 2026 to apply for the 2025-2026 school year, do it now if you haven’t already. FAFSA will open for the 2026-2027 school year this fall.
Keep in mind that tuition isn't the only college expense. You may have to pay for living expenses like rent, food and transportation and other school expenses like a computer, books and additional fees.
Take advantage of grants
Submitting the FAFSA also gets you access to financial aid, like the Pell Grant. These grants cover much of the cost of community college for students with low incomes and don't need to be repaid. The FAFSA will also give you access to state and school grants.
If you need loans, choose federal loans first
Federal loans usually offer lower interest rates than private loans. They also come with flexible repayment options and systems to help you avoid falling behind on payments.
Note that some repayment options will no longer be available. Learn more about student loan changes triggered by the reconciliation bill passed in July.
Also keep in mind that while the FAFSA will qualify you for federal loans, some community colleges do not participate in the federal loan program.
» Learn more: federal vs. private student loans
What to do if you need private loans
Build good credit, or add a co-signer
Students with good credit, generally a score of 690 or higher, will get the lowest interest rates. Students under age 21 often don’t have enough credit history to get a private loan in their own names. If that's the case, use a co-signer to qualify or to get a better rate.
Alternatively, you can search for private loans you may qualify for without a co-signer.
Make sure your school is eligible
Some lenders will make loans to students pursuing associate degrees at four-year schools only. When exploring your options, make sure your community college is on the private lender’s list of eligible schools.
Compare loan features
Compare offers to get the lowest student loan interest rate you qualify for. Note whether the lender will postpone payments in case you have difficulty affording them — known as forbearance — and for how long.
If you plan to have a co-signer, consider lenders that will let you release the co-signer after a period of time so they are no longer responsible for the debt.
Opt for a fixed interest rate
Fixed interest rates are a safer bet than variable interest rates because they won’t increase over time. (Learn more about fixed vs. variable student loans.)
Watch the bottom line
Use a student loan calculator to see how much you’ll owe per month after borrowing for multiple years. Even if you qualify for the loan now, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to afford it post-college. So make sure you’re not taking more than you need.
Last updated on January 12, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What are my student loan options if I have bad credit?
Federal student loans don’t require a credit check, making them ideal if you have poor or no credit. For private loans, you’ll likely need a co-signer with good credit.
Can you get federal student loans for online community college programs?
Yes. you can — as long as the school is accredited and participates in Title IV federal aid. To check, search for your school in the Department of Education’s accreditation database and check its aid eligibility at StudentAid.gov.
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 Best Student Loans for Community College of January 2026
- College Ave Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 2.74-17.99%
- Sallie Mae Undergraduate Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 2.89-17.49%
- Ascent Credit-based Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 2.69-15.31%
- Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan
- PNC Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 6.69-13.89%
- Earnest Undergraduate Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 2.79-16.49%
- ISL Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 3.95-8.01%
- Advantage Education Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 5.29-8.04%
- Nelnet Bank Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 3.47-9.94%
- RISLA Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 2.99-8.74%
- EDvestinU Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 6.00-9.94%
- MEFA Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 5.75-8.95%
- Custom Choice Loan®: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 2.85-15.61%
- Citizens Private Student Loan: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 3.24-15.49%
- Abe: Best for Private Student Loan, Fixed APR: 2.75-15.61%