Abe Review Private Student Loans: 2026 Review
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Our Take
In addition to flexible repayment plans, Abe offers loans to students enrolled less than half-time and a 0.05% rate reduction for every six months of consecutive on-time payments (up to a maximum of 0.25%).
Pros
- A 2% reduction on your principal balance when you provide proof of graduation (up to the borrower to request this).
- No fees — including late fees, application fees, debit card payment fees or forbearance fees.
- Grace periods of up to 12 months.
- Four repayment options.
- Loans available for graduate programs and graduate certificate programs.
- For every six months of on-time payments, the borrower’s rate can go down by 0.05% — for a total of up to 0.25%.
Cons
- Extra payments are not applied to the principal first.
Lender | Fixed APR | Min. credit score | Variable APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Check Rate on Sallie Mae's website | 2.89-17.49% | Mid-600s | 3.62-16.25% | Check Rate on Sallie Mae's website |
 Check Rate on College Ave's website | 2.59-17.99% | Mid-600s | 3.89-17.99% | Check Rate on College Ave's website |
 Check Rate on Ascent's website | 2.69-16.86% | Low-Mid 600s | 3.65-16.06% | Check Rate on Ascent's website |
Best for faster repayment options  Check Rate on Monogram's website | 3.35-17.17% | 600 | 3.53-17.23% | Check Rate on Monogram's website |
 Check Rate on ELFI's website | 2.99-12.85% | 680 | 6.75-13.05% | Check Rate on ELFI's website |
Full Review
Abe offers student loans across a range of higher education options, including undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and graduate certificate programs. Even part-time students can be eligible for loans. Abe loans have a fixed interest rate ranging from 2.54% to 16.36% and variable interest rates between 3.50% and 16.82%. Abe offers loan repayment terms between five and 20 years.
For borrowers who may need extra financial support or repayment assurance, co-signers are an option. After 12 months of on-time principal and interest payments the co-signer can be released. Students of all backgrounds can apply, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students can apply with a citizen or resident co-signer.
What the Nerds think
Compared to similar lenders, Abe stands out for its lack of fees — especially no late fees — and potential to reduce how much borrowers pay with graduation and on-time payment discounts. Abe offers generous grace periods and multiple repayment options, providing borrowers with the flexibility to fit their needs.
Abe offers loans for graduate programs including medical, dental, veterinary, law, pharmacy, nursing and more. Medical and dental programs have a higher aggregate loan limit of $500,000 to address the higher cost of these programs.
One shortcoming of this lender is that unless otherwise specified, extra payments are applied first to unpaid accrued interest, then to the principal, rather than paid to the principal first. For example, Navy Federal, MPOWER and LendKey apply extra payments directly to the principal, making it easier for the borrower to pay down their principal quicker. However, this lender stands out to us because of its payment relief options, such as grace periods after graduating and medical forbearance if you become too ill to work, and its lack of late or application fees.
More about Abe
Loan and borrower requirements
Loan terms: 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years.
Loan amounts: $1,000 minimum up to the school’s total certified cost of attendance (minus other aid) with a limit of $300,000 for undergraduate programs, $350,000 for most graduate programs, and $500,000 for medical and dental programs.
Minimum credit score: mid 600s.
Minimum income: Borrowers must demonstrate positive income, but Abe has no minimum.
Maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: Does not require a DTI threshold for approval.
Time requirement after filing for bankruptcy: Information not disclosed.
Co-signer: Allowed, but not required. Co-signer release is available after 12 months. Co-signer release does require a soft credit pull.
Payment and repayment
Allows greater-than-minimum payments via autopay: Yes.
Allows biweekly payments via autopay: Yes.
Grace period following graduation: 6+ months with grace period extension option.
In-school repayment options: Full payment, interest-only, full deferred and partial payment (flat payment of $25 per month while in-school and 6 month grace period).
Post-school repayment options:
Interest-only payments.
Internship deferment (not counted against other deferment options).
Residency deferment (not counted against other deferment options).
Administrative forbearance (not counted against other forbearance options).
Natural disaster forbearance (not counted against other forbearance or deferment options).
Temporary interest rate reduction.
Temporary lower payments.
Military deferment (not counted against other deferment options).
Customer experience
Customer service: In-house customer service representatives. Live chat option is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Typical time for application approval: The final approval usually takes just a few minutes after all the borrower’s documentation has been received, verified and approved.
Loan servicer: AES/PHEAA.
Abe extras
Borrowers do not have to have a certain GPA to apply for an Abe student loan.
Abe lends to borrowers enrolled less than half-time in school.
Borrowers get a 0.25% discount on their rate when they sign up for auto pay.
Before applying for an Abe student loan
Before taking out an Abe student loan or any other private student loan, exhaust your federal student loan options first. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, to apply.
Compare your private student loan options to make sure you’re getting the best rate you qualify for. In addition to interest rates, look at lenders’ repayment alternatives and the flexibility they offer to borrowers who struggle to make payments.
If you aren't eligible for an Abe student loan
If Abe denies your student loan application, the lender will let you know why. Depending on the reason, you may want to consider other lenders or, if you haven’t already, try applying with a co-signer.
If you don’t have access to a co-signer — or still aren’t eligible with one — consider lenders that don’t require co-signers or specialize in bad or no credit student loans.