Over 90% of student loan applicants rely on a co-signer, a creditworthy individual willing to repay the funds if the borrower is unable.
If you don't have someone helping you out, however, there are private student loans that don't require a co-signer. You'll avoid risking someone else's finances, and making on-time monthly payments can help you build good credit.
Below, CNBC Select names the best private student loans for borrowers without a co-signer, based on rates, eligibility requirements, repayment options, and other factors. (See our methodology for more on how we made our selections.)
Best for longer loan terms: Ascent
- Considers borrowers with no credit
- High loan limit
- Co-signer release available after just 12 payments
- Up to 1% interest rate discount for autopay*
- 1% cash back rewards*
- Considers alternative requirements like the borrower’s school, program, graduation date, major, GPA, cost of attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to grant approval
- Maximum fixed APR is on the high side
- Doesn't offer student loan refinancing
Disclosure: *Ascent Funding, LLC products are made available through Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 3/1/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount (ACH). The ACH discount consists of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower's credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) 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 examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.
Who's this for? If you're looking for flexibility, Ascent Funding offers student loans with customizable repayment terms. Borrowers can choose from 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 20 years, depending on the program and whether it's a credit-based or income-based loan.
Standout benefits: Ascent gives borrowers 1.0% cash back on principal loan amounts at graduation, and offers an interest rate discount of up to 1.0% once borrowers set up autopay.
Best for fast pre-approval: Funding U
- Considers borrowers' earning potential
- Borrowers have hardship protections
- No co-signer required
- No fee for paying off loan early
- 0.5% interest rate discount for making interest-only payments in school
- Loan officer assigned to each borrower for hands-on help
- Promises an approval decision in just minutes
- Only fixed-rate loans
- Not available in every U.S. state
- Non-cosigned loans tend to charge higher interest rates
Who's this for? Looking for a quick answer? Funding U's online application process promises an approval decision in just minutes.
Standout benefits: Funding U offers students a 0.50% interest rate discount if they make interest-only payments while still enrolled.
Best for income-based repayment plans: Edly
Edly Student Loans
Eligible borrowers
Qualifying juniors, seniors and graduate students
Loan amounts
$2,000 up to $15,000 per academic year and up to $10,000 for summer terms; ($20,000 lifetime limit)
Loan terms
84 months
Loan types
Variable
Borrower protections
Deferment and forbearance; all loans are based on income-based repayment
Co-signer required?
No
Terms apply.
Pros
- Considers borrowers' schooling and programs
- All loan payments are income-based
- Hardship protections available
- No co-signer required
- Student success team and career counselors available for support
Cons
- Only 7-year loan terms
- Only variable-rate loans
- Not available in every state
- Non-cosigned loans tend to charge higher interest rates
Who's this for? Edly is the rare private lender that offers an income-based repayment (IBR) plan for student loans. Borrowers enjoy a four-month grace period and forbearance options if they lose their job or their salary dips below $30,000.
Standout benefits: A credit history isn't required for approval and Edly offers borrowers study prep programs and career counseling.
Best for international students: MPower
MPower Financing®
Eligible borrowers
U.S. citizens, international students, DACA recipients, refugees and asylum-seekers who are undergraduate or graduate students
Loan amounts
Up to $100,000
Loan terms
10 years
Loan types
Fixed
Fees
6.5% origination fee and fee for late or invalid payments
Borrower protections
Deferment not available
Co-signer required?
No
Terms apply.
Pros
- Don't have to be U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to qualify
- International students establish credit in the U.S.
- Considers borrowers' future earnings
- High loan amount
- No co-signer required
- Visa support and career development
- Automatically prequalify for Zolve Credit Card and bank account
Cons
- Only 10-year loan terms
- 5% origination fee
- No hardship protections
- Non-cosigned loans tend to charge higher interest rates
Who's this for? Many private loan servicers require borrowers to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, but MPower Financing accepts international students, DACA recipients, refugees and asylum-seekers studying at the undergraduate or graduate level at qualifying schools in the U.S. and Canada. Acceptance is based on the borrower's future earnings, and loans of up to $100,000 can be used for living expenses and other needs.
Standout benefits: Loan benefits include visa support, career development for international students and automatic prequalification for a Zolve credit card, which can help foreign students establish a credit history in the U.S.
Best for studying abroad: Prodigy Finance
Prodigy Finance
APR
From 9.16% APR (Master's degree new loan). Other rates and loan types are available. Visit Prodigy Finance's website for full details.
Eligible borrowers
Students studying abroad for a Master's degree
Loan amounts
Dependent on student
Loan terms
Range from 7 to 20 years
Loan types
Variable
Borrower protections
Forbearance options available
Co-signer required?
No
Terms apply.
Pros
- Don't need to have a credit history
- Considers borrowers' future earning potential
- Variety of loan terms
- Borrowers have hardship protections
- No co-signer required
- Career services and networking events are available
Cons
- Loan amounts aren't disclosed
- Only variable-rate loans
- 5% admin fee
- Prodigy Finance only lends to borrowers in about half the U.S.
Who's this for? Prodigy Finance approves non-cosigned student loans to borrowers studying for a Master's in business, engineering, law and public policy at 1800 schools in more than 150 countries
Standout benefits: Loans have variable interest rates and repayment terms as long as 20 years.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
Undergraduate and graduate students, parents, health professionals
$5,000 minimum (or up to state); maximum up to cost of attendance
5, 7, 10, 15, years; up to 20 years for refinancing loans
Terms apply.
Undergraduate and graduate students, parents, international students with U.S. co-signer
$1,000 up to the cost of attendance ($180,000 lifelong maximum)
5, 8, 10, 15 years for undergraduate loans, up to 20 years for graduate loans
Terms apply
What is a co-signer?
A co-signer is a creditworthy individual, often a parent or relative, who agrees to repay a loan if the borrower is unable to. Typically, borrowers with weak or no credit need co-signers to get approval or qualify for better interest rates.
Missed or late payments can affect the credit scores of both the co-signer and the borrower, so give serious consideration to the strain it may place on your relationship. If you default on the loan, your co-signer must be able to repay the loan in full.
Lenders will often release co-signers after a certain number of consistent monthly payments.
Can I get student loans without a co-signer?
It is possible to get student loans without a co-signer. Your first approach should be to apply for federal student loans through the Department of Education, which don't require a credit check.
Private lenders will approve student loan applicants without a co-signer if they have a stable income and a FICO Score of 670 or better.
You may also get approved for a student loan without a co-signer if you're an undergraduate junior or senior, based on factors like major, GPA, estimated graduation date, and future earning potential.
Pros and cons of student loans without a co-signer
- Borrowers can boost their credit history by making on-time payments
- Inability to pay does not impact another person's credit
- Borrowers learn how to handle debt
- Interest rates are typically higher
- Risk to your credit score if you don't make on-time payments
Student loan FAQs
What if I can't find a co-signer for my student loans?
If you don't have someone to co-sign your student loans, there are non-cosigned student loans options available from private lenders, as well as direct subsidized and unsubsidized student loans from the Department of Education.
Can I take out a student loan without a co-signer?
It is possible to take out a student loan without a co-signer. Federal student loans from the U.S. Department of Education are not based on creditworthiness and, therefore, don't require a co-signer. After maxing out your federal loans, you can look into private lenders who offer no-cosigner loans.
Can you get a private student loan with no credit and no co-signer?
Yes, it's possible to get financing without a co-signer even if you have no credit. Some lenders may base eligibility on other factors, like your academic performance, expected graduation date and future earning potential. In exchange, you'll pay a higher interest rate than if you had good credit or a co-signer.
What credit score do I need to get a student loan without a co-signer?
Getting approved for private student loans without a co-signer requires good to excellent credit, typically a score of 670 or better. A lender may consider.other criteria, including your major, GPA and potential income. Federal student loans require neither a credit check nor a co-signer.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every student loan review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of student loan products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
To determine which student loans are the best for borrowers without a co-signer, CNBC Select reviewed more than 15 private lenders that offer non-cosigned loans.
We focused on the following criteria:
- Eligibility qualifications
- Loan availability by state
- Loan amounts offered
- Loan interest rates (fixed or variable)
- Loan terms in years
- Loan repayment options
- Borrower protections like deferment or forbearance
- Bonus features like autopay rate discounts
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
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