Can I Co-Sign a Student Loan With Bad Credit?

Bad credit is likely to disqualify you from co-signing a private student loan for your child or loved one. It will probably also prevent you from taking out a private parent loan.

Typically private lenders look for borrowers or co-signers with a steady income and a credit score in the mid-600s or higher.

If you don't meet those standards, there are still ways to help your child get a loan for school. Here’s how.

Max out federal loans

Before you even consider private loans, make sure your child has borrowed the maximum in undergraduate federal direct student loans, which don’t require a co-signer or any credit history. They can get a federal loan by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Federal loans have relatively low interest rates and offer features private loans don’t, such as repayment options like income-driven repayment and loan forgiveness opportunities.

The amount a student can borrow depends on what year they’re in, but the lifetime maximum for dependent undergraduates is $31,000. If your child qualifies for subsidized loans — which don’t build interest while they’re still in school — max out those first.

» MORE: How to get a student loan with bad credit

Get a parent PLUS loan

You’re unlikely to qualify for a parent loan with a private lender, but you might be able to get a federal direct PLUS loan. These loans do require a credit check, but the Department of Education is looking most closely for adverse credit history — negative marks on your credit report.

Pull your free credit report to double-check if you have any red flags such as bankruptcy or foreclosure.

It's still possible to get a PLUS loan if you complete PLUS Credit Counseling and take one of two steps: Apply with an endorser — similar to a co-signer — who doesn’t have any adverse credit history; or appeal the credit decision by detailing extenuating circumstances related to your credit.

If you don’t have adverse credit history, you can apply for a PLUS loan by completing the FAFSA and a separate PLUS loan application.

Even if you do have adverse credit history, you may want to apply anyway. If your PLUS application is denied, your student can qualify for additional unsubsidized student loans.

» MORE: What to know about parent PLUS loans

Get a no-co-signer student loan

There are a few private lenders that offer student loans meant for borrowers who have no credit history or co-signer. These lenders typically do not factor in credit scores but instead consider future earnings. The downside is these loans usually carry higher interest rates than private loans with a co-signer.

» MORE: Student loans without a co-signer

Prepare to refinance ASAP

If your child gets a loan for bad or no credit, they should aim to refinance these loans after graduation as soon as their finances are stable and credit has improved.

Refinancing means combining existing loans into a new one with a new and, ideally, lower interest rate.

They can refinance private and federal debt with private lenders. But if they refinance federal debt, they'll lose forgiveness opportunities and repayment options such as income-driven repayment.

Compare rates, benefits and drawbacks from multiple lenders before refinancing.