12 Student Loans With Fastest Co-Signer Release

College Ave Private Student Loan

Fixed APR

3.59-17.99%

Variable APR

5.34-17.99%

Min. credit score

Mid-600s

on College Ave's website

4.5/5

Sallie Mae Undergraduate Student Loan

Fixed APR

3.49-15.49%

Variable APR

5.04-15.21%

Min. credit score

Mid-600's

on Sallie Mae's website

on Credible’s website

Student Loans With Fastest Co-Signer Release

Lender	NerdWallet Rating	Min. credit score	Fixed APR	Variable APR	Learn more
Sallie Mae Undergraduate Student Loan GO TO LENDER SITE on Sallie Mae's website on Sallie Mae's website COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website on Credible’s website	4.5 /5 Best for Release after 12 months of payments	Mid-600's	3.49-15.49%	5.04-15.21%	GO TO LENDER SITE on Sallie Mae's website on Sallie Mae's website COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website on Credible’s website
SoFi Undergraduate Student Loan Read review	5.0 /5 Best for Release after 24 months of payments	Mid-600s	3.54-14.83%	5.54-15.86%	Read review
Ascent Credit-based Student Loan COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website on Credible’s website	5.0 /5 Best for Release after 12 months of payments	Low-Mid 600s	3.69-14.56%	5.66-14.72%	COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website on Credible’s website

Our pick for

Release after 12 months of payments

GO TO LENDER SITE

on Sallie Mae's website

COMPARE RATES

on Credible’s website

Sallie Mae Undergraduate Student Loan

4.5

Min. credit score

Mid-600's

Fixed APR

3.49-15.49%

Variable APR

5.04-15.21%

Key factsBest for part-time students and those who want to make payments during school.

Pros

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.

Cons

You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Qualifications

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.

Available Term Lengths10 to 15 years

DisclaimerLowest rates shown include the auto debit. 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. Advertised APRs are valid as of 10/25/2024. Loan amounts: 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. 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.

COMPARE RATES

on Credible’s website

Ascent Credit-based Student Loan

5.0

Min. credit score

Low-Mid 600s

Fixed APR

3.69-14.56%

Variable APR

5.66-14.72%

Key factsBest for students with a creditworthy co-signer.

Pros

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.

Cons

Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible.
Co-signer release not available to international students.

Qualifications

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.

Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 years

DisclaimerAscent’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, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates displayed above are effective as of 11/1/2024 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% for credit-based college student loans and 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. The Full P&I (Immediate) Repayment option is only available for college loans (except for outcomes-based loans) originated on or after June 3, 2024. 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. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. The AscentUP platform is only available to eligible Ascent borrowers and subject to terms and conditions.

Our pick for

Release after 24 months of payments

SoFi Undergraduate Student Loan

5.0

Min. credit score

Mid-600s

Fixed APR

3.54-14.83%

Variable APR

5.54-15.86%

Key factsBest for flexible repayment options and no fees.

Pros

You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
Multiple in-school repayment options available, including interest-only and flat-fee, and deferred for undergrad and grad students.

Cons

Does not offer bi-weekly payments via autopay.

Qualifications

Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 700+.
Minimum income: No minimum.
Loan amounts: $1,000 minimum.

Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10 or 15 years

Disclaimer* Interest Rates: Eligibility and Important Details. Fixed rates range from 3.54% APR to 14.83% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 5.54% APR to 15.86% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 11/12/24 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Check out our eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). UNDERGRAD LOANS: This repayment example is based on typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Partial Payment option with a 10-year repayment term, a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in a single disbursement, a 0.25% autopay discount, and a fixed rate between 8.26% – 13.23% Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”) (with autopay). It also assumes the borrower remains in school for 4 years and has a 6-month grace period (together, the deferment period) before the loan term begins. It works out to 54 monthly payments of $25 during the deferment period, followed by 120 monthly payments ranging from $158.13 – $244.80 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments ranging from $20,325.32 – $30,726.15. This repayment example assumes that the borrower is signed up for autopay and that all payments are made on time, with no pre-payments. Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for new and repeat borrowers that apply for and are approved for a SoFi Private Student Loan. To receive the offer, you must: (1) complete a loan application with SoFi between 11/11/24 12:01AM PT to 01/30/25 11:59PM PT; 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 0.25% rate discount. Offer cannot be combined with any 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. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit is suspended during periods of non-payment through ACH, deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co- signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 8/5/24 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

LendKey Private Student Loan

4.0

Min. credit score

680

Fixed APR

3.99-12.61%

Variable APR

5.98-13.74%

Key factsBest for students who value working with a community bank or credit union.

Pros

Forbearance of 18 months is longer than many lenders offer.

Cons

You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
Payment required while in school.

Qualifications

Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 748.
Minimum income: $24,000 per year.
Loan amounts: $1,000 up to cost of attendance, minus other aid received.

Available Term Lengths5, 10 or 15 years.

Navy Federal Private Student Loan

3.0

Min. credit score

Does not disclose

Fixed APR

N/A

Variable APR

N/A

Key factsAn option for members of Navy Federal Credit Union who can make small payments while in school.

Pros

Forbearance of 18 months is longer than many lenders offer.

Cons

Available only to existing Navy Federal Credit Union customers.
Only two repayment terms: 5 and 10 years.
Payment required while in school and during the grace period.

Qualifications

Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
Minimum income: A co-signer must earn $15,000 or more.
Loan amounts: $2,000 minimum to $120,000 for undergraduates, or $160,000 for graduate students.

Available Term Lengths10 years

RISLA Private Student Loan

5.0

Min. credit score

680

Fixed APR

4.05-8.64%

Variable APR

N/A

Key factsBest for students who may need wiggle room on payments in the future.

Pros

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.

Cons

Fewer repayment terms available than other lenders.

Qualifications

Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 768.
Minimum income: $40,000.
Loan amounts: $1,500 to $45,000.

Available Term Lengths10 or 15 years

Nelnet Bank Private Student Loan

4.5

Min. credit score

Mid to High 600s

Fixed APR

3.69-9.36%

Variable APR

5.83-10.32%

Key factsBest for borrowers who value flexibility in repayment.

Pros

Provides rate offer with soft credit check.

Cons

Does not disclose full underwriting requirements.
Does not allow bi-weekly payments via autopay.

Qualifications

Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
Loan amounts: $1,000 with an aggregate loan limit of $125,000 (Undergrad).

Available Term Lengths

DisclaimerFixed interest rates range from 3.69% APR (with auto debit discount) to 9.36% APR (without auto debit discount). Your interest rate will depend on your (and if applicable, your cosigner’s) credit qualifications. The fixed interest rate will remain the same for the life of the loan. Variable interest rates range from 5.83% APR (with auto debit discount) to 10.32% APR (without auto debit discount). Your interest rate will depend on your (and if applicable, your cosigner’s) credit qualifications. Variable rates for Nelnet Bank Student Loans are calculated using either (a) the One-Month SOFR; (b) the 30-day Average SOFR; or (c) the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and/or The Wall Street Journal “Money Rates” table on the twenty-fifth day (or the next business day) of the immediately preceding calendar month. The variable rate may reprice and change on the first day of each month if the SOFR index changes. This may result in higher monthly payments. The current One-Month SOFR index is 4.86% as of November 1, 2024. Lowest rates listed above include an interest rate reduction for eligible applications, enrollment in auto debit, and are available only to the most creditworthy applicants. Advertised variable rates reflect the starting range of rates and may increase over the life of the loan. The lowest rate for each loan type requires automatically withdrawn (i.e., auto debit) payments. The lowest rate is available only to the most creditworthy applicants. Not all borrowers will receive the lowest rate. The interest rate and Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may be higher depending upon (1) the credit history of the borrower and, if applicable, the cosigner, (2) the repayment option and loan term selected, and (3) the loan type selected. If approved, applicants will be notified of the rate qualified for within the stated range. Interest rate reduction of .25% for automatically withdrawn payments from any designated bank account (“auto debit discount”). Auto debit discount applies when full payments (including both principal and interest) are automatically drafted from a bank account. The auto debit discount will continue to apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment if the auto debit discount was in effect at the time of receiving the forbearance or deferment. Auto debit discount will remain on the account unless (1) the automatic deduction of payments is cancelled or (2) there are three consecutive automatic deductions returned for insufficient funds at any time during the term of the loan. Your actual savings, if any, may vary based on interest rates, balances, remaining repayment terms and other factors. Refinancing to a longer term may lower your monthly payments, but may also increase the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Refinancing to a shorter term may increase your monthly payments, but may lower the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Checking your rate results in a soft credit pull, which will not affect your credit score. If you continue with your application, Nelnet Bank will request your permission to obtain your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies. This is a hard credit pull and may affect your credit score. Nelnet Bank offers various payment assistance programs to assist you if you are currently struggling to make payments. Contact us at [email protected] or 800.446.4190 to get more information. This referral partner is not the creditor of Nelnet Bank loans and may receive compensation from Nelnet Bank for the referral of Nelnet Bank loan customers. A request for the cosigner to be released can be made by either the borrower or cosigner when each of the following conditions has been met: • The account must have been in full principal and interest repayment for at least 24 months. • Twenty-four consecutive, on-time principal and interest payments, or lump sum equivalent, must have been made. Note: A lump sum payment does not replace the requirement to have been in full principal and interest repayment for at least 24 months. Interest-only or fixed-pay payments while enrolled in school do not qualify toward the 24 consecutive on-time payments. • The loan must be current at the time of request. • The loan must not have been in deferment, hardship forbearance, or other alternative payment assistance plan within the past 24 months. • The loan must not have been permanently modified from its original terms in the credit agreement. • The primary borrower must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency in the United States. • The primary borrower must meet the age of majority requirement in their permanent state of residency. • Requirements are subject to change. • If all of these conditions have been met, an application for cosigner release may be submitted. The primary borrower is required to demonstrate they have the ability to assume sole responsibility for the loan(s) by providing proof of income, meeting debt-to-income requirements, and having a satisfactory credit history. (A credit report will be obtained during the review process).

ISL Private Student Loan

5.0

Min. credit score

660

Fixed APR

3.95-8.01%

Variable APR

6.54-11.08%

Key factsBest for low-interest loans with consumer-friendly features, like a generous forbearance policy.

Pros

Forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders offer.
No late fees.

Cons

Only offers 2 loan terms.

Qualifications

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.

Available Term Lengths10 or 15

Brazos Private Student Loan

4.5

Min. credit score

680

Fixed APR

2.77-6.96%

Variable APR

5.00-9.44%

Key factsBest for Texas residents and students of Texan colleges with strong financials or a qualified co-signer.

Pros

May offer lower rates for graduate students than what are available through the federal government.
Applies extra payments to the loan principal by default.
Offers five loan terms, which is more than most lenders.

Cons

Not available to borrowers enrolled in two year programs at community colleges.
Biweekly payments via autopay is not available.

Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Our pick for

Release after 6 month of payments

Edly Cosigner Student Loan

4.0

Min. credit score

Varies

Fixed APR

N/A

Variable APR

9.40-23.00%

Key factsBest for seniors and graduate students with small funding gaps who can begin repayments while in school.

Pros

You and a co-signer can see if you'll qualify and what rate you'll get without a hard credit check.
A co-signer release of six months is shorter than what other lenders offer.

Cons

Borrowers only have the option of a 7-year term.
Offers a three-month grace period, which is shorter than what other lenders typically offer.
Not available to borrowers in Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Vermont and West Virginia.

Available Term Lengths7 years

Our pick for

Release after 12 month of payments

COMPARE RATES

on Credible’s website

INvestED Student Loan

4.0

Min. credit score

670

Fixed APR

4.37-8.08%

Variable APR

6.11-9.91%

Key factsBest for Indiana residents or students in the state with good grades.

Pros

Forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders offer.
Interest rate reduction for autopay.

Cons

You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
You must be an Indiana resident or attend a school in the state to qualify.

Qualifications

Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 710.
Minimum income: $39,996.
Loan amounts: $1,001 up to annual cost of attendance.

Available Term Lengths5, 10 or 15 years

Advantage Education Private Student Loan

4.5

Min. credit score

Does not disclose

Fixed APR

5.29-8.04%

Variable APR

N/A

Key factsBest for nontraditional or part-time students.

Pros

Forbearance of 24 months is twice as long as most lenders.
Loans are available if you’re enrolled less than half time.

Cons

Fewer repayment terms than other lenders offer.
Borrowers are not able to defer loans if they return to school after their grace period ends.

Qualifications

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.

Available Term Lengths10 years