After being accepted into college, it’s important to see what options you have for financing the cost of your education. While scholarships, grants, and federal work-study aid should always be accepted first, you may wind up considering student loans as well. Though the process may seem daunting, we’ve simplified it for you with a step-by-step guide. Keep reading to learn how to apply for student loans.
Jump Ahead > Types of Student Loans • What to Do Before Applying • How to Apply for Federal Loans • How to Apply for Private Loans • FAQ
Types of Student Loans
There are two main types of student loans on the market: federal student loans and private student loans.
Federal student loans are offered by the federal government, while private student loans are offered by private organizations, businesses, and other autonomous entities.
Below is a list of some of the best student loan options. Rather than searching for lenders one-by-one, we recommend starting the process with an automated student loan search tool. After you complete the free Sparrow application, we’ll show you the rates and terms you’d qualify for with 17+ premier lenders.
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8B Finance
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
8B PSL Terms & Conditions
8B loans are made available by 8B Finance, Inc. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
APR or “annual percentage rate” is a calculation of what the loan will cost, taking into consideration interest, fees and length of loan.
8B offers two separate interest rate reductions. You can earn a 0.75% interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawals of your loan payment. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. In addition, you can earn a 0.50% interest rate reduction upon graduation. The interest rate reduction for graduation will be available upon verification from the National Student Clearinghouse.
Information advertised is valid as of 05/03/2023. Approved interest rate will depend on the creditworthiness of the applicant(s), while lowest advertised rates are only available to the most creditworthy applicants. 8B has no affiliation with the school you are attending.
Variable APR
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ASLA
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
Loans are made available by the Arkansas Student Loan Authority (ASLA), a division of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, which is an Arkansas state government agency.
Loan terms are subject to change. All loans are subject to approval based upon underwriting guidelines determined by ASLA and its advisors. Interest rates for approved loans will be based upon the borrower’s credit history as reported under the FICO credit scoring system.
Non-Arkansas residents must attend an eligible institution of higher education within the state of Arkansas to be eligible for an ASLA loan. Arkansas residents may attend an eligible institution of higher education within or outside of the state of Arkansas to be eligible for an ASLA loan.
For more information related to the Arkansas Student Loan Authority and its loan products, visit www.asla.info.
Variable APR
Loans are made available by the Arkansas Student Loan Authority (ASLA), a division of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, which is an Arkansas state government agency.
Loan terms are subject to change. All loans are subject to approval based upon underwriting guidelines determined by ASLA and its advisors. Interest rates for approved loans will be based upon the borrower’s credit history as reported under the FICO credit scoring system.
Non-Arkansas residents must attend an eligible institution of higher education within the state of Arkansas to be eligible for an ASLA loan. Arkansas residents may attend an eligible institution of higher education within or outside of the state of Arkansas to be eligible for an ASLA loan.
For more information related to the Arkansas Student Loan Authority and its loan products, visit www.asla.info.
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Ascent
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
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: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 9/1/2023 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 APRs require interest-only payments, the shortest loan term, and a cosigner, and are only available to our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores.
Variable APR
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: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 9/1/2023 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 APRs require interest-only payments, the shortest loan term, and a cosigner, and are only available to our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores.
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Brazos
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
It is recommended that you utilize scholarships, grants and other federal student loans, such as the Federal Direct Student Loans, available to you before you use a Brazos Student Loan.
By providing your email, you are consenting to receive periodic emails from Brazos regarding the Brazos Student Loan, as well as general student loan information, information on other Brazos loan products or services, and other information we believe you will find informative and helpful.
Rates and terms provided as a result of a soft credit check do not mean you have been approved for the Brazos Student Loan but will give you an indicator of if, and on what terms, you may qualify. In order to qualify and be approved for the loan, you must apply, have a hard credit pull performed, and provide all necessary documents and information. A hard credit inquiry may impact your credit score.
Credit Review and Approval. If you choose to apply for a Brazos Student Loan, Brazos Parent Loan, or Brazos Refinance Loan and continue your application past the pre-credit eligibility stage, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit inquiry. Hard credit inquiries (or hard credit pulls) are required for Brazos to be able to issue you a Brazos loan. In addition to requiring your explicit permission, these credit pulls may impact your credit score. The initial credit review is based on review of all the information you and your cosigner (if applicable) provide during the application process and the information obtained from your credit report(s). If you pass the initial credit review, you will need to provide acceptable documentation such as your income verification before the final loan approval.
Brazos Education Lending Corporation (Brazos) is a part of a group of several non-affiliated nonprofit companies that are all managed by The Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc. and are commonly referred to as the Brazos Managed Companies. The first of the Brazos Managed Companies was organized in 1975 in Waco, Texas, as a secondary market for student loans. Since that time, the Brazos Managed Companies have, on a combined basis, served an estimated 2 million student borrowers and have helped fund an estimated $30 billion in student loans.
Variable APR
It is recommended that you utilize scholarships, grants and other federal student loans, such as the Federal Direct Student Loans, available to you before you use a Brazos Student Loan.
By providing your email, you are consenting to receive periodic emails from Brazos regarding the Brazos Student Loan, as well as general student loan information, information on other Brazos loan products or services, and other information we believe you will find informative and helpful.
Rates and terms provided as a result of a soft credit check do not mean you have been approved for the Brazos Student Loan but will give you an indicator of if, and on what terms, you may qualify. In order to qualify and be approved for the loan, you must apply, have a hard credit pull performed, and provide all necessary documents and information. A hard credit inquiry may impact your credit score.
Credit Review and Approval. If you choose to apply for a Brazos Student Loan, Brazos Parent Loan, or Brazos Refinance Loan and continue your application past the pre-credit eligibility stage, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit inquiry. Hard credit inquiries (or hard credit pulls) are required for Brazos to be able to issue you a Brazos loan. In addition to requiring your explicit permission, these credit pulls may impact your credit score. The initial credit review is based on review of all the information you and your cosigner (if applicable) provide during the application process and the information obtained from your credit report(s). If you pass the initial credit review, you will need to provide acceptable documentation such as your income verification before the final loan approval.
Brazos Education Lending Corporation (Brazos) is a part of a group of several non-affiliated nonprofit companies that are all managed by The Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc. and are commonly referred to as the Brazos Managed Companies. The first of the Brazos Managed Companies was organized in 1975 in Waco, Texas, as a secondary market for student loans. Since that time, the Brazos Managed Companies have, on a combined basis, served an estimated 2 million student borrowers and have helped fund an estimated $30 billion in student loans.
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College Ave
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
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.
*The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as the borrower or cosigner, if applicable, enrolls in auto-pay and authorizes our loan servicer to automatically deduct your monthly payments from a valid bank account via Automated Clearing House (“ACH”). The rate reduction applies for as long as the monthly payment amount is successfully deducted from the designated bank account and is suspended during periods of forbearance and certain deferments. Variable rates may increase after consummation. $5,000 is the minimum requirement to refinance. The maximum loan amount is $300,000 for those with medical, dental, pharmacy or veterinary doctorate degrees, and $150,000 for all other undergraduate or graduate degrees. Information advertised valid as of 08/25/2022. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation.
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a refi borrower with a Full Principal & Interest Repayment and a 10-year repayment term, has a $40,000 loan and a 5.5% Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $434.11 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $52,092.61. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. 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 09/13/2023. 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 full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term.
Variable APR
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.
*The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as the borrower or cosigner, if applicable, enrolls in auto-pay and authorizes our loan servicer to automatically deduct your monthly payments from a valid bank account via Automated Clearing House (“ACH”). The rate reduction applies for as long as the monthly payment amount is successfully deducted from the designated bank account and is suspended during periods of forbearance and certain deferments. Variable rates may increase after consummation. $5,000 is the minimum requirement to refinance. The maximum loan amount is $300,000 for those with medical, dental, pharmacy or veterinary doctorate degrees, and $150,000 for all other undergraduate or graduate degrees. Information advertised valid as of 08/25/2022. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation.
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a refi borrower with a Full Principal & Interest Repayment and a 10-year repayment term, has a $40,000 loan and a 5.5% Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $434.11 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $52,092.61. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. 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 09/13/2023. 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 full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term.
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Custom Choice
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
Custom Choice Student Loan Disclosures
Before applying for a private student loan, Citizens and Monogram recommend comparing all financial aid alternatives including grants, scholarships, and both federal and private student loans.
The Custom Choice Loan® is made by Citizens (“Lender”). All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to Lender’s underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. LENDER AND MONOGRAM LLC EACH RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) depend upon (1) the student’s and cosigner’s (if applicable) credit histories, (2) the repayment option and repayment term selected, (3) the expected number of years in deferment, (4) the requested loan amount and (5) other information provided on the online loan application. If approved, applicants will be notified of the rate applicable to your loan. Rates and terms are effective as of 10/01/2023. The variable interest rate for each calendar month is calculated by adding 30-Day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) index, or a replacement index if the SOFR index is no longer available, plus a fixed margin assigned to each loan. The SOFR index is published on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The current SOFR index is 5.31% as of 10/01/2023. The variable interest rate will increase or decrease if the SOFR index changes or if a new index is chosen. The applicable index or margin for variable rate loans may change over time and result in a different APR than shown. The fixed rate assigned to a loan will never change except as required by law or if you request and qualify for the auto pay discount.
APRs displayed as a range in the rate table assume a $10,000 loan with one disbursement. The high APRs assume a 7-year term with the Flat Payment Repayment option, a 2 month deferment period, and a six-month grace period before entering repayment. The low APRs assume a 7-year term, and the Immediate Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement via auto pay.
Auto pay discount is a 0.25% interest rate reduction for making automatic payments of principal and interest from a bank account (“auto pay discount”) by completing the direct debit form provided by the Servicer. The auto pay discount is in addition to other discounts. The auto pay discount will be applied after the Servicer validates your bank account information and will continue until (1) three automatic deductions are returned for insufficient funds during the life of the loan (after which the discount cannot be reinstated) or (2) automatic deduction of payments is canceled. The auto pay discount is not available when reduced payments are being made or when the loan is in a deferment or forbearance, even if payments are being made.
Certain repayment terms may not be available depending on the applicant’s enrollment status and/or debt-to-income ratio. The 15-year repayment term is only available for loan amounts of $5,000 or more. Making interest only or flat interest payments during deferment will not reduce the principal balance of the loan. Payment examples (all assume a 14-month deferment period, a six-month grace period before entering repayment, no auto pay discount, and the Interest Only Repayment option): 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months), and a 8.91% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $160.43. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and 8.59% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $124.47. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 8.54% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $98.71.
Custom Choice Loan® is a registered trademark of Monogram LLC.
Variable APR
Custom Choice Student Loan Disclosures
Before applying for a private student loan, Citizens and Monogram recommend comparing all financial aid alternatives including grants, scholarships, and both federal and private student loans.
The Custom Choice Loan® is made by Citizens (“Lender”). All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to Lender’s underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. LENDER AND MONOGRAM LLC EACH RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) depend upon (1) the student’s and cosigner’s (if applicable) credit histories, (2) the repayment option and repayment term selected, (3) the expected number of years in deferment, (4) the requested loan amount and (5) other information provided on the online loan application. If approved, applicants will be notified of the rate applicable to your loan. Rates and terms are effective as of 10/01/2023. The variable interest rate for each calendar month is calculated by adding 30-Day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) index, or a replacement index if the SOFR index is no longer available, plus a fixed margin assigned to each loan. The SOFR index is published on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The current SOFR index is 5.31% as of 10/01/2023. The variable interest rate will increase or decrease if the SOFR index changes or if a new index is chosen. The applicable index or margin for variable rate loans may change over time and result in a different APR than shown. The fixed rate assigned to a loan will never change except as required by law or if you request and qualify for the auto pay discount.
APRs displayed as a range in the rate table assume a $10,000 loan with one disbursement. The high APRs assume a 7-year term with the Flat Payment Repayment option, a 2 month deferment period, and a six-month grace period before entering repayment. The low APRs assume a 7-year term, and the Immediate Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement via auto pay.
Auto pay discount is a 0.25% interest rate reduction for making automatic payments of principal and interest from a bank account (“auto pay discount”) by completing the direct debit form provided by the Servicer. The auto pay discount is in addition to other discounts. The auto pay discount will be applied after the Servicer validates your bank account information and will continue until (1) three automatic deductions are returned for insufficient funds during the life of the loan (after which the discount cannot be reinstated) or (2) automatic deduction of payments is canceled. The auto pay discount is not available when reduced payments are being made or when the loan is in a deferment or forbearance, even if payments are being made.
Certain repayment terms may not be available depending on the applicant’s enrollment status and/or debt-to-income ratio. The 15-year repayment term is only available for loan amounts of $5,000 or more. Making interest only or flat interest payments during deferment will not reduce the principal balance of the loan. Payment examples (all assume a 14-month deferment period, a six-month grace period before entering repayment, no auto pay discount, and the Interest Only Repayment option): 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months), and a 8.91% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $160.43. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and 8.59% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $124.47. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 8.54% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $98.71.
Custom Choice Loan® is a registered trademark of Monogram LLC.
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Earnest
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
Auto Pay Discount Disclosure
You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. For multi-party loans, only one party may enroll in Auto Pay.
Student Loan Origination Interest Rate Disclosure
Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 4.67% APR to 16.15% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 5.64% APR to 16.45% 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. Sparrow receives compensation from Earnest on a per-funded loan basis.
Student Loan Origination Loan Cost Examples
These examples provide estimates based on the Deferred Repayment option, meaning you make no payments while enrolled in school and during the separation period of 9 billing periods thereafter. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $157.12) and an 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $21,290.40. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $173.51) and an 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $22,827.79. Your actual repayment terms may vary.
Earnest Loans are made by Earnest Operations LLC or One American Bank, Member FDIC. Earnest Operations LLC, NMLS #1204917. 535 Mission St., Suite 1663, San Francisco, CA 94105. California Financing Law License 6054788. Visit Lending Licenses – Earnest for a full list of licensed states. For California residents (Student Loan Refinance Only): Loans will be arranged or made pursuant to a California Financing Law License.
One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC with support from Navient Solutions LLC (NMLS #212430). One American Bank and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
© 2023 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.
Variable APR
Auto Pay Discount Disclosure
You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. For multi-party loans, only one party may enroll in Auto Pay.
Student Loan Origination Interest Rate Disclosure
Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 4.67% APR to 16.15% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 5.64% APR to 16.45% 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. Sparrow receives compensation from Earnest on a per-funded loan basis.
Student Loan Origination Loan Cost Examples
These examples provide estimates based on the Deferred Repayment option, meaning you make no payments while enrolled in school and during the separation period of 9 billing periods thereafter. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $157.12) and an 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $21,290.40. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $173.51) and an 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $22,827.79. Your actual repayment terms may vary.
Earnest Loans are made by Earnest Operations LLC or One American Bank, Member FDIC. Earnest Operations LLC, NMLS #1204917. 535 Mission St., Suite 1663, San Francisco, CA 94105. California Financing Law License 6054788. Visit Lending Licenses – Earnest for a full list of licensed states. For California residents (Student Loan Refinance Only): Loans will be arranged or made pursuant to a California Financing Law License.
One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC with support from Navient Solutions LLC (NMLS #212430). One American Bank and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
© 2023 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.
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Edly
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
Edly Student IBR Loans are unsecured personal student loans issued by FinWise Bank, a Utah chartered commercial bank, member FDIC. All loans are subject to eligibility criteria and review of creditworthiness and history. Terms and conditions apply.
* According to a study by LendEDU (https://lendedu.com/blog/state-of-private-student-loans-report), the approval rate for students without a cosigner was 8.84%. Historical Edly application data shows more than 24% of applicants, who apply without a cosigner, meet our eligibility requirements.
** To defer payments, students must provide qualifying documentation, which may include historical or current paystubs or proof of job search.
© Copyright 2023 Edly Inc. Edly is a Registered Investment Advisor in NY State Loans issued by Finwise Bank
Variable APR
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Funding U
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
LOAN ELIGIBILITY: Must be a US citizen or permanent resident, age 18 or over. Must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in a bachelor’s degree program at a Title IV-eligible four year college (for-profit schools not eligible).
LOAN AVAILABILITY – Residents of the following states are eligible for 2021-2022 loans: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Terms and conditions vary by state.
DISCLAIMER: Offered terms are subject to change. Loans are made by Funding University which is a for-profit enterprise. Funding University is not affiliated with the school you are attending or any other learning institution. None of the information contained in Funding University’s website constitutes a recommendation, solicitation or offer by Funding University or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments or other assets or provide any investment advice or service.
NMLS #1819881 | www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Funding University, Inc.
Variable APR
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LendKey
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
Variable APR
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
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Nelnet Bank
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
Interest Rates
Fixed interest rates range from 4.49% APR (with auto debit discount) to 15.07% 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 6.28% APR (with auto debit discount) to 15.50% 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 5.31% as of October 1, 2023.
The lowest interest rate for each loan type requires automatically withdrawn (“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.
Auto Debit (Auto Pay)
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 canceled or (2) there are three consecutive automatic deductions returned for insufficient funds at any time during the term of the loan.
Cosigner Release
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 towards 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, then 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).
If you have questions on cosigner release, or would like to apply, contact us via email or phone at Loans@NelnetBank.com or 800.446.4190
Flexible Repayment
Nelnet Bank offers various payment assistance programs to assist you if you are currently struggling to make payments. Contact Nelnet Bank at Loans@NelnetBank.com or 800.446.4190 to get more information.
Variable APR
Interest Rates
Fixed interest rates range from 4.49% APR (with auto debit discount) to 15.07% 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 6.28% APR (with auto debit discount) to 15.50% 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 5.31% as of October 1, 2023.
The lowest interest rate for each loan type requires automatically withdrawn (“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.
Auto Debit (Auto Pay)
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 canceled or (2) there are three consecutive automatic deductions returned for insufficient funds at any time during the term of the loan.
Cosigner Release
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 towards 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, then 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).
If you have questions on cosigner release, or would like to apply, contact us via email or phone at Loans@NelnetBank.com or 800.446.4190
Flexible Repayment
Nelnet Bank offers various payment assistance programs to assist you if you are currently struggling to make payments. Contact Nelnet Bank at Loans@NelnetBank.com or 800.446.4190 to get more information.
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Sallie Mae
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
Repayment Options: Deferred, $25 Fixed, or Interest Repayment during school
Lowest rates shown include auto debit discount. Advertised rates are for the Smart Option Student Loan for undergraduate students and are valid as of 04/25/2023.
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. Payments may be required during the grace/ separation period depending on the repayment option selected. Variable rates may increase over the life of the loan. Advertised variable rates reflect the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Advertised APRs assume a $10,000 loan to a borrower who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae loans. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit 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, if available for the loan.
Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan With the most common variable 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 6.88% APR, 51 payments of $25 00, 119 payments of $136.17 and one payment of $112.58, for a Total Loan Cost of $17,591.81. For a borrower with $20,000 In prior loans and a 2-year In-school period, it works out to a 7.06% APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $98.17 and one payment of $66.85 for a total loan cost of $18,314.28. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 year. Variable rates may increase over the life of the loan.
Sparrow is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Sallie Mae loan customers. 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 representative owners.
Variable APR
Repayment Options: Deferred, $25 Fixed, or Interest Repayment during school
Lowest rates shown include auto debit discount. Advertised rates are for the Smart Option Student Loan for undergraduate students and are valid as of 04/25/2023.
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. Payments may be required during the grace/ separation period depending on the repayment option selected. Variable rates may increase over the life of the loan. Advertised variable rates reflect the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Advertised APRs assume a $10,000 loan to a borrower who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae loans. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit 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, if available for the loan.
Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan With the most common variable 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 6.88% APR, 51 payments of $25 00, 119 payments of $136.17 and one payment of $112.58, for a Total Loan Cost of $17,591.81. For a borrower with $20,000 In prior loans and a 2-year In-school period, it works out to a 7.06% APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $98.17 and one payment of $66.85 for a total loan cost of $18,314.28. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 year. Variable rates may increase over the life of the loan.
Sparrow is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Sallie Mae loan customers. 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 representative owners.
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SoFi
Minimum credit score
Fixed APR
UNDERGRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.44% to 14.70% annual percentage rate (“APR”) (with autopay), variable rates from 5.99% to 14.03% APR (with autopay). GRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.99% to 14.48% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 5.99% to 13.97% APR (with autopay). PARENT LOANS: Fixed rates from 6.50% to 14.83% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 6.32% to 14.03% APR (with autopay). 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. Interest rates for variable rate loans are capped at 13.95%, unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law. Lowest rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved for a loan, the interest rate offered will depend on your creditworthiness, the repayment option you select, the term and amount of the loan and other factors, and will be within the ranges of rates listed above. 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. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Information current as of 08/31/2023.
Variable APR
UNDERGRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.44% to 14.70% annual percentage rate (“APR”) (with autopay), variable rates from 5.99% to 14.03% APR (with autopay). GRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.99% to 14.48% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 5.99% to 13.97% APR (with autopay). PARENT LOANS: Fixed rates from 6.50% to 14.83% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 6.32% to 14.03% APR (with autopay). 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. Interest rates for variable rate loans are capped at 13.95%, unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law. Lowest rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved for a loan, the interest rate offered will depend on your creditworthiness, the repayment option you select, the term and amount of the loan and other factors, and will be within the ranges of rates listed above. 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. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Information current as of 08/31/2023.
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Generally, it is recommended that you borrow federal student loans before private student loans. This is because federal student loans have lower interest rates, more flexible repayment options, loan forgiveness, and stronger borrower protection plans, as opposed to private student loans.
What to Do Before You Apply for Student Loans
Picking up debt is a large responsibility. Before applying for student loans, be sure to exhaust all other possible financial aid options for students.
Student loans need to be paid back in full, along with any interest that accumulates during the life of the loan. This means that you pay for more than what you’ve borrowed, and failure to do so can negatively affect your financial standing.
This is why it is crucial to acquire as much unborrowed money as you can to defray the cost of tuition. There are four ways that you can pay for your educational costs that do not require you to borrow money: scholarships, grants, and work-study.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a form of financial aid that is free and does not need to be paid back. They are offered based on, but not limited to, academic merit, financial need, athletics, your field of study, and any extracurricular achievements.
Scholarships are offered all year round by countless organizations, businesses, states, schools, counties, districts — you name it.
To apply for scholarships, you will generally need the following materials:
- An essay answering a prompt that is decided by the organization offering the scholarship
- Your transcript
- Proof of academic attendance
Here are some of our favorite scholarship engines:
Grants
Grants are another form of financial aid that is free and doesn’t need to be paid back. Unlike scholarships, grants are offered on a need-based basis only. This means that you must demonstrate financial need to qualify for a grant.
Generally, grants are offered by the federal government, state governments, institutions, businesses, organizations, etc.
You can find grants with an easy search of the web or through the following search engines:
Work-Study
Work-study is a federal student aid program that provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to have a part-time job on campus that helps fund their education. It’s important to note that receiving work-study does not guarantee you a job at your institution, but rather, it provides you with the opportunity to obtain one in which funding has been set aside to pay for.
You will see whether or not you received work-study aid on your financial aid package after submitting your FAFSA, along with the amount of aid you are eligible to receive. Unlike scholarships and grants, you will need to work in exchange for the work-study funds you are eligible for.
How to Apply for Federal Student Loans
As highlighted earlier, federal student loans should be your first option if you are looking to borrow student loans. Federal student loans typically have lower interest rates, stronger borrower protections, and more flexible repayment options.
Here’s how to apply for a federal student loan in three easy steps.
Step 1: Submit the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application that you must submit to receive financial aid from the federal government, your school, and in some cases, scholarships and grants.
The U.S. Department of Education uses your information on the FAFSA to calculate how much federal financial aid you are eligible for. In turn, colleges use this information to calculate your financial aid package. Some scholarships and grants require you to submit your FAFSA results to verify that you are in the eligible financial standing to be awarded.
The FAFSA opens on October 1st and closes on June 30th. It is strongly recommended that you submit your FAFSA as close to the opening date as possible because some financial aid is served on a first-come, first-served basis.
What Information Do I Need to Submit the FAFSA?
You need the following materials (most of which will need to come from your parents) before you submit the FAFSA:
- Your Social Security Number (never go off memory!)
- Your parent’s/parents’ Social Security Numbers
- Tax Information
- Tax Returns
- IRS W-2
- Parent(s) tax information
- Family income
- Records of untaxed income
- Child support
- Veteran benefits
- Information on any financial assets you have
- Cash in your checking and/or savings account
- Investments like stocks and bonds
- Business assets
- Mortgages
If you are completing the FAFSA without the support of your parents, or as an independent, don’t worry. There are other ways to complete the form.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Financial Aid Offer
Your financial aid offers will start trickling in after you receive word from the schools you’ve been accepted to. It’s time to evaluate your financial aid offers and determine which is the best one for you.
Start by creating a spreadsheet with the following four columns:
- School Name
- Cost of Attendance → The total estimated cost of attending the school, including tuition, housing, meal plans, etc.
- Free Aid → Any scholarships and grants you’ve received, whether from the institution itself or external sources/organizations.
- Net Price Without Loans → The difference between the cost of attendance and the free aid you’ve received. This is how much you would need to pay out of pocket or borrow in student loans.
School | Cost of Attendance | Free Aid | Net Price without Loans |
University A | $73,103 | $46,051 | $27,052 |
University B | $67,392 | $23,249 | $44,143 |
University C | $54,205 | $18,674 | $35,531 |
Creating a method to compare your aid offers is crucial as the actual cost to attend may be quite different from the initial cost of attendance after factoring in free aid. For example, in the above table, you can see how University A has the highest sticker price. Yet, with free aid, it winds up being the least expensive option.
Step 3: Accept the Loans
After identifying the school and financial aid offer that is best fit for you, go ahead and accept the financial aid package. Each school will have its own unique process for accepting financial aid. However, most will provide you with a login to an online portal in which you can click “accept” on the aid you’d like to receive.
Remember: Always accept your offer in the following order: scholarships/grants → work study → loans.
How to Apply for Private Student Loans
As a refresher, experts recommend that you exhaust your federal financial aid options before turning to private student loans. Generally, private student loans have higher interest rates, limited borrower protection plans, and less flexible repayment options.
Additionally, it’s often difficult for first-time borrowers (especially students) who have a limited credit history to qualify for a loan with good terms to begin with.
So, private loans should only be utilized to fill in the gaps that financial aid and federal loans do not cover. If you do opt to borrow one, here are the steps you should follow:
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Information
When applying for private loans, the information you will need will be similar to what is required for the FAFSA.
- Your Social Security Number
- The cosigner’s Social Security Number (You may not need this if you are not borrowing with a cosigner.)
- Tax Information
- Tax Returns
- IRS W-2
- Cosigner’s tax information
- Family Income
- Proof that you need additional aid (This is usually a form or a letter than can be obtained from your school’s financial aid office.)
- Information on any financial assets you have, such as:
- Cash in your checking and/or savings account
- Investments like stocks and bonds
- Business assets
- Mortgages
- A list of schools you are interested in attending
- A list of any grants or scholarships you’ve received and their amounts
Step 2: Know How Much You Need to Borrow
It’s time to calculate how much money you need to borrow. Refer back to your financial aid package. If you did not receive any scholarships or grants, determine what you can contribute out of pocket. Subtract that, plus what you received in federal student loans, from the overall cost of attendance. Doing so will show you how much you need to borrow in private student loans to cover the cost.
Private student loans can cover the entire cost of your tuition, but it is recommended to minimize the amount of money you borrow so you can defray the amount of interest that you accrue.
If you need assistance calculating the exact amount of money that you need to pay, contact your school’s financial aid office for clarification. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Step 3: Complete the Sparrow Application
Sparrow wants to help you find the perfect lender to finance your educational costs. Our platform helps borrowers just like you find and compare private student loans across 15+ premier student loan lenders. You can also compare how different cosigners affect the loan to determine which option is best for you.
The Sparrow application is free and will not affect your credit score. When you’re ready to begin the private student loan process, complete the Sparrow application.
You can also reach out to your school’s financial aid office for assistance with finding a private student loan lender. You can ask your institution for a list of preferred lenders or speak with a financial aid worker whose job is to assist you with any financial matters.
Step 4: Compare Student Loan Offers
When you’re comparing student loans, here are some key factors that you should look out for:
Cosigner | Do you need a cosigner to qualify for the loan with you? Do you have a cosigner who is willing to sign the loan with you? Does the loan have a cosigner release policy, and if so, what is it? |
Interest Rate | What is the interest rate of the loan? Do you have a variable interest rate (an interest rate that changes based on the economy) or a fixed interest rate (a set interest rate that stays the same)? |
Repayment Plan | What is the repayment plan for the loan? Does the loan offer a grace period (a period of time where you do not need to make loan payments) after you leave school, or will you be making payments during the school year? |
Loan Origination | Does the loan have an origination fee (a fee that you need to pay to “create” the loan?) |
Borrower Protection | Does the loan offer loan forbearance and deferment? |
Consider your loan priorities as you sift through options: do you prefer a loan with a short repayment plan and a low interest rate, or a loan with cosigner release terms? Is loan forbearance or deferment a must-have, or do you think you can manage without it?
Speak with your parents, your school’s financial aid office, and adults that you trust so you can make the best decision for yourself. You should be thoroughly aware of all the loan terms and have a plan for repaying the loan.
Think long-term and consider where you’ll be one year, five years, or ten years ahead with the loan.
Step 5: Select the One You Like the Best and Submit A Formal Application
After you’ve identified the private student loan that best fits your needs, submit a formal application for the loan.
If you are submitting multiple formal applications for private student loans, submit your applications within 30 days of each other. By doing this, you will not incur a hard inquiry for each loan that you apply for. Rather, it will be viewed as “rate shopping,” and you will only receive the impact of one hard inquiry.
If you are approved for the loan, the loan amount will be disbursed directly to your school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for Student Loans
Do all students qualify for student loans?
No, not all students qualify for student loans. Both federal and private loans have a baseline of requirements that borrowers must meet to be eligible to apply for the loan, such as attending an accredited university, meeting the age requirement, being a U.S. citizen in certain cases, etc.
Even if you do meet the baseline requirements, this does not mean that you qualify for all federal and private loans. With private student loans, most students do not qualify on their own and usually require a cosigner to help strengthen their loan application for private student loans.
Be sure to use Sparrow to check whether you qualify before submitting a formal application and incurring a hard credit check.
How long does it take for a student loan to be approved?
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for a student loan to be approved. The time needed to approve a loan depends on the lender.
When do you need to apply for student loans?
The Free Application for Federal Student Loan (FAFSA) opens on October 1st and closes on June 30th. You must submit the FAFSA to be eligible for federal financial aid, including student loans, grants, work-study, and scholarships. Submit your FAFSA as close to the opening date as possible.
After accepting all federal financial aid, you should apply for private student loans as early as possible. It often takes several weeks for a loan to be approved. You will want to be approved for the loan and receive the loan amount before the funds are due on your school so that you don’t rack up any late payment fees.
Do student loans go to your bank account?
No. Once approved, the loan amount is disbursed directly to your institution. Student loans do not go to your bank account.
Can you be denied a student loan?
Yes, you can be denied both federal student loans and private student loans.
You can be denied for federal student loans based on financial eligibility requirements, having defaulted on a previous federal loan, incarceration, and other reasons. Address the reason why you were denied, and apply again the following year.
For private student loans, you usually are denied for a low credit score, a weak credit history, or an insufficient cosigner. Consider applying again after raising your credit score and/or with a cosigner with a stronger credit score.
Closing Thoughts From the Nest
Applying for student loans can be a long process, so get started as early as you can. Remember to maximize scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal financial aid as much as you can before applying for any private student loans.
If you need any assistance finding private student loans, consider using Sparrow’s online search tool to compare loan offers from 15+ lenders.