What Is a Private Student Loan and Who Is Eligible?
When you take out a private student loan, the lender pays for your college degree and associated expenses. You repay these funds over time according to the loan agreement. You can use your loan to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses.
You’re eligible for a student loan if you’re enrolled at an eligible school, are at least 18 years old, and have a high school diploma or an equivalent. Most lenders will also require you to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
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How to Apply for a Private Student Loan?
Once you select a private student loan offer that meets your needs, you’ll need to complete a full application. Usually, you’ll have to provide proof of identity, address, and financial status.
If you’re applying with a cosigner, you’ll need to provide their information as well. It’s a good idea to gather your pay stubs, tax forms, and other related documentation to stay ahead of the game. You will also need proof of acceptance at a qualifying college or university.
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How Does the Student Loan Process Work?
After you submit your private student loan application, the lender reviews your paperwork to make sure you meet its qualifications. Generally, you can expect an answer to your application in 5-7 business days.
Once you receive approval, most lenders send the money to your school’s financial aid office. However, you may be able to request direct funds to cover books, supplies, and approved living expenses.
After you receive your funds, the loan starts accruing interest right away. You can save money over the life of the loan by making interest-only payments while in school. Most lenders also let you defer payments until you graduate, sometimes after a grace period of about six months.
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What Are the Requirements for a Student Loan?
You’ll need good credit and a steady strong income to qualify for a private student loan. Different lenders have different standards, but most ask for a credit score of at least 640 and earnings of at least $24,000 per year.
If you’re not quite there yet, applying with a cosigner will seriously increase your chances of private student loan approval. Your cosigner will need to meet the requirements and agree to take responsibility if you can’t repay your loan. Many lenders offer cosigner release after you make a certain number of on-time payments.
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How to Choose the Right Student Lender for You?
When comparing private student loan options, the offer with the lowest interest rate may seem tempting. You can use a student loan calculator to see how much you will pay in total, including interest and fees.
While an affordable APR does play a role in choosing the right student loan, you should also consider the available repayment terms and options. For example, you might want to give yourself time to earn money after graduation by choosing a lender with a generous grace period.
Different lenders offer different customer service channels, so make sure the one you select can work with your preferred contact method. In other words, don’t choose a tech-averse company if you use your mobile to manage your finances.
Finally, you might want to consider other benefits offered by each lender. Some student loans come with advantages like autopay discounts, hardship forbearance, and automatic cosigner release.
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FAQ
What’s the difference between an adjustable and a fixed-rate student loan?
A fixed-rate student loan maintains the same interest rate for the life of the loan. You can only get a new interest rate if you refinance. An adjustable-rate loan has a fixed rate for the first few years, then the APR changes based on the federal interest rate and other factors established in your loan documents.
Will applying for a student loan affect my credit score?
Your credit score may decrease when you apply for a student loan, which occurs when the lender does a so-called “hard” credit pull. Student loans also affect your debt-to-income ratio, a factor that compares how much you owe to how much earn. Over time, however, paying back your student loan as agreed will have a positive effect on your score.
How long does the student loan application process take?
Some lenders have short processing times, generally 7-10 business days. Others can take two to four weeks to complete the private student loan application process. If you need funds quickly, you may want to look for lenders that have a reputation for fast approval and disbursement.
What do student lenders consider when reviewing applications?
Lenders make sure that you have the income to make payments on the loan. They also review your credit score to determine the risk associated with lending to you. Other factors that play into the approval decision include the school you will attend, the type of degree program, your citizenship status, whether you have a cosigner, and the amount you want to borrow.
How do I choose the right term for my student loan?
The answer depends on your financial goals. If you want lower monthly payments, you should select a longer term to pay back your loans. If you want to get out of debt as quickly as possible, you can save significantly on interest with a shorter loan term. You can also balance these priorities with a term somewhere in the middle.
Disclosures:
Sallie Mae Disclosure:
Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Students and families should evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
Explore federal loans and compare to make sure you understand the terms and features. Private student loans that have variable rates can go up over the life of the loan. Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including, but not limited to, income -based repayment and income-contingent repayment plans, and loan forgiveness and deferment benefits, which other student loans are not required to provide. Federal loans generally have origination fees, but are available to students regardless of income.
1. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
2. Although we do not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note—first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
3. For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
4. Based on a comparison of approval rates for Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loans for undergraduate students who applied with a cosigner versus without a cosigner during a rolling 12-month period from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.
5. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.”
College Finance is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Smart Option Student Loan customers.
SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
© 2025 Sallie Mae Bank. Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank. Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. All other names and logos used are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America. W646400 0325
Information valid as of 04/17/2025.
College Ave Disclosure:
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of Monday, 03/03/2025. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Credible Disclosure:
¹ Student Loan Rate and Terms Disclosure: Rates displayed include Automatic Payment and Loyalty Discounts, where applicable. Note that such discounts do not apply while loans are in deferment. The lenders on the Credible.com platform offer fixed rates ranging from 3.49% - 17.99% APR and Variable interest rates from 4.50% - 17.99% APR. Variable rates will fluctuate over the term of the borrower’s loan with changes in the Index rate. The Index will be either LIBOR or SOFR. Rates are subject to change at any time without notice. Your actual rate may be different from the rates advertised and/or shown above and will be based on factors such as the term of your loan, your financial history (including your cosigner’s (if any) financial history) and the degree you are in the process of achieving or have achieved. While not always the case, lower rates typically require creditworthy applicants with creditworthy co-signers, graduate degrees, and shorter repayment terms (terms vary by lender and can range from 5-20 years) and include Automatic Payment and Loyalty discounts, where applicable. Loyalty and Automatic Payment discount requirements as well as Lender terms and conditions will vary by lender and therefore, reading each lender’s disclosures is important. Additionally, lenders may have loan minimum and maximum requirements, degree requirements, educational institution requirements, citizenship and residency requirements as well as other lender-specific requirements. Lenders will conduct a hard credit pull when you submit your application. Hard credit pulls will have an impact on your credit score.
SoFi Disclosure:
0.125% Continuing Scholar Discount: Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for private student loan customers who have previously borrowed a private
student loan from SoFi and are taking out a subsequent loan only, select a term and repayment type that is eligible for the discount, and is subject to
lender approval. To receive the offer, you must: (1) complete a loan application with SoFi; and (2) meet SoFi’s underwriting criteria. Once conditions are
met and the loan has been disbursed, the interest rate shown in the Final Disclosure Statement will include an additional 0.125% rate discount because
you have borrowed a private student loan from SoFi in the past. Offer good for existing private student loan borrowers only. Offer cannot be combined
with other rate discounts, with the exception of the 0.25% autopay rate discount. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the Rate Discount
Program to unenrolled participants at any time with or without notice.
Ascent Disclosure:
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 7/8/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require interest-only payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
Earnest Disclosure:
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 4.54% APR to 16.74% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 5.87% APR to 17.10% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan origination loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. Although the rate will vary after you are approved, it will never exceed 36% (the maximum allowable for this loan). Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.
