Best Student Loans Without a Co-signer
Finding a student loan without a co-signer is possible, even if you don't have an established credit history. Federal student loans never require a co-signer and should be your first choice. If you've maxed out federal loans, here are some options for private student loans with no co-signer.
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- 19 student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
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Why trust NerdWallet
- 19 student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and consumer lending.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 40 categories and more than 50 data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Best Student Loans Without a Co-signer
Lender | NerdWallet editorial rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.0 /5 | None | 7.99-13.49% | N/A | Check Rate on Funding U's website | |
5.0 /5 | None | 13.47-15.49% | 12.52-14.59% | Check Rate on Ascent's website | |
3.5 /5 | None | 10.24-16.65% | N/A | Check Rate on MPOWER's website |
Our pick for
Students with good grades and no credit
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Credit scores are not used in underwriting.
- Minimum income: Not applicable.
- Loan amounts: $3,001 - $20,000.
- No fees.
- Extra payments are applied to the principal unless the borrower states otherwise.
- Offers up to 24 consecutive months of hardship forbearance.
- Academic progress is considered rather than credit score or income.
- Does not offer renewable or multi-year approval options.
- Borrowers are not assigned a dedicated advisor or banker when they have a Funding U loan.
- In cases of borrower disability, loan discharge is determined on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, disability discharge will be temporary.
- Compared to competitors, the loan amounts are smaller and the loan terms offered are shorter.
Our pick for
Upperclassmen with no credit and good grades
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: No minimum income requirement for outcomes-based loan.
- Loan amounts: $2,001–$20,000 annually (up to $200,000 aggregate).
- Option for students nearing graduation and not eligible for a credit-based loan.
- Offers a 1-percentage-point rate discount with automatic payments.
- No application, origination, prepayment or late fees.
- Available for students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
- Borrowers receive access to AscentUP, a platform to help students build school and career-ready skills.
- Available only for college juniors and seniors.
- Offers only fully-deferred repayment option.
- Not available to international students.
Our pick for
Students with no or bad credit and no co-signer
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Not available. MPOWER does not require a credit score, but for those with a credit score the minimum is 600.
- Minimum income: Not available. MPOWER does not require a minimum income.
- Loan amounts: Minimum is $2,001. Maximum is $100,000, limited to $50,000 per academic period.
- Non-co-signed loan option designed for U.S. graduate students.
- Has a 0.25-percentage-point rate discount with automatic payments.
- Allows borrowers to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.
- Provides pre-approval within 30 minutes of application submission.
- Borrowers can request forbearance of up to 24 months, which is longer than many lenders offer.
- Charges an origination fee of 0% to 5% for U.S students. (How the amount is determined wasn’t provided.)
- Requires interest-only payment while the student is in school.
- Has a 6-month grace period (which is short compared to other lenders).
- Doesn’t allow co-signers for borrowers who want one.
- Has only one loan term.
What is a student loan co-signer?
A co-signer on a private education loan is someone who shares the legal financial responsibility to repay the loan. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the co-signer will be responsible for paying the loan balance.
If you're a student who lacks the credit history you need to be approved for a loan, using a co-signer — such as a parent or relative with good credit — can help you qualify. It may also help you get a lower interest rate for your loan.
» MORE: How students with bad or no credit can still get loans
What credit score do you need to get a student loan with no co-signer?
If you do have established credit, most private student loan lenders will look for a credit score in the mid-to-high 600s to approve a loan without a co-signer. Some lenders may accept a lower credit score, but the loan is likely to have a high interest rate.
The higher your credit score, the less likely a co-signer will be required. However, choosing to add a co-signer who has good credit could help lower your interest rate.
How to get a student loan without a co-signer
If you're weighing your options for a student loan with no co-signer, prioritize in this order:
Federal student loans first. They never require a co-signer and have benefits that private student loans don't, such as income-driven repayment and limited forgiveness programs. They also have fixed interest rates.
Private loan products that consider non-credit-related factors, such as future earning potential and academic outcomes, and don't automatically require a co-signer.
Private loans from lenders that advertise not requiring a co-signer. These types of loans typically have the highest interest rates, so use them as a last resort. They may fill a critical funding gap, and you can look into refinancing to a lower rate later.
Before using any of the above options, make sure you've taken advantage of any federal financial aid first. Federal aid includes money you don't have to pay back — like funding from grants, scholarships and work-study programs.
How to apply for federal student loans; no co-signer needed
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing the FAFSA gets you access to grants and federal student loans that don’t require a co-signer and have no credit check. Typically they come with lower interest rates when compared to private student loans. Federal loans also have more repayment options, like income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness programs if you struggle to afford payments down the road.
Review your FAFSA Submission Summary. After completing the FAFSA, you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary, which outlines the federal loans you’re eligible for, such as direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
Determine how much money to borrow. You may be eligible to take out multiple federal loans, but there are limits on how much you can borrow based on your loan type, year in school and whether you are a dependent or independent student.
Supplement with private loans. If you have financial gaps to fill after federal aid and loans, private student loans are an option.
How to apply for private student loans without a co-signer
Private student loans are provided by non-governmental entities such as banks, credit unions and state-based agencies. While some private lenders offer benefits such as forbearance, private loans lack many of the benefits that come with federal student loans.
Build credit before you apply for a private student loan. If you have credit, do what you can to strengthen your credit score before applying for a loan. Fix errors on your credit report, pay down any debt and use as little of your credit limit as possible.
Compare interest rates. When shopping for a private student loan without a co-signer, compare offers to get the lowest interest rate you can qualify for. Look for lenders that offer pre-qualification with a soft credit check, so you can see rate estimates without affecting your credit score.
Review loan features. Find out the cost of origination or late fees before you apply. Note whether the lender will postpone or adjust payments in case you have difficulty affording them. Also, consider how easily you can reach the lender by phone, email or live chat if you encounter a billing or customer service issue.
Opt for a fixed interest rate. Given the choice, a fixed interest rate is a safer bet than a variable interest rate. Fixed rates don't increase over time.
Keep an eye on the bottom line. Use a student loan calculator to see what kind of payment you’ll have once repayment begins. If you have a choice in loan term, a longer term may mean lower payments, but it can also mean paying more interest over time.
Consider refinancing in the future. Once you’ve graduated and had time to build your credit profile, you may be able to refinance private student loans to an even lower interest rate. But again, you'll generally need a solid income, a credit score in the mid-to-high 600s and a history of on-time debt payments.
If you do end up with a co-signed loan when refinancing, ask upfront whether the lender offers a co-signer release option. Most private lenders will remove a co-signer's obligation after a set number of consecutive on-time payments, though requirements vary by lender.
Pros and cons of private student loans without a co-signer
Consider these pros and cons before opting for a private student loan with no co-signer.
Pros of private student loans with no co-signer | Cons of private student loans with no co-signer | |
|---|---|---|
Accessibility | Gives students without a credit-worthy adult to take on the debt a way to still finance their education. | There are fewer options for no-co-signer private loans for undergraduate students. |
Approval | If you can get approved without a co-signer, the credit builds in your name only. | It can be harder to get approval without a co-signer's credit and income to back your application. |
Risk & cost | No co-signer has to take on liability for your loans. | Interest rates can be higher without a co-signer sharing the risk. |
Last updated on July 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How do you get a student loan without a co-signer?
Complete the FAFSA to receive federal student loans, which don’t require a co-signer. If you have maxed out federal student loans, private lenders may be an option. Some that don’t require a co-signer will evaluate you based on factors like your grades and future earning potential. Often, these types of loans have lower borrowing limits and come with higher interest rates. They can fill a funding gap, and you can look into refinancing to a lower rate later.
What is the minimum credit score for a private loan with no co-signer?
The minimum credit score you will need for a student loan with no co-signer varies by lender. For most private lenders of student loans, you're likely to need a credit score in the mid-to-high 600s to get a student loan with no co-signer. It's likely you’ll also need to meet a lender’s other financial requirements, such as having steady income, to qualify. However, a few lenders do approve loans for students with a lower or no credit score without requiring a co-signer. But these types of loans are limited and usually have higher interest rates when compared to other private student loans.
Can I get a student loan with bad credit and no co-signer?
Yes. Federal Direct Loans never require a co-signer and don't require a credit check, regardless of your credit history. If you've maxed out federal loans, a few private lenders evaluate factors like your GPA or expected future income instead of your credit score. Their loans tend to come with higher interest rates, but they're a possibility if you have bad or no credit and nobody to co-sign for you.
Can someone with bad credit co-sign for my student loan?
Generally, no. Most private lenders look for co-signers who have a credit score in the mid-600s or higher. Even if the potential co-signer has a strong income, that alone usually won't offset a low credit score. Lenders view the co-signer's credit history as the primary signal of repayment risk, so bad credit is likely to disqualify a potential co-signer even if othe factors, like income, look solid on paper.
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NerdWallet reviewed 20 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing. We included the top lenders by market share and online search volume, as well as lenders that serve specialty or nontraditional markets. Some lenders are NerdWallet partners, but this did not influence our selection of the winner.
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