Compare Best Private Student Loans for 2021
Edvisors recommends exhausting federal student loans. grants, and scholarships before applying for private student loans. However, private student loans are available to help fill any funding gaps you may have, and could be best for those looking for competitive interest rates on student loans and a variety of repayment terms.
Once you've exhausted your federal aid options, compare offers from multiple lenders to find the best rates and terms, and borrow only what you need.
- Variable Rates: 1.13% APR - 11.23% APR. Fixed Rates: 4.25% APR - 12.59% APR. Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount.1
- Choose from multiple repayment options, including no payments while in school1
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty2
- The only undergraduate student loan that offers 4 months of Chegg® study help --a $100 value6
When grants, scholarships, and federal aid are not enough, choose the Smart Option Student Loan® for Undergraduate Students. You can apply for the money you need for college, and the flexibility you want.
- Competitive variable rate starting from 1.13% APR to 11.23% APR and fixed rate starting from 4.25% APR to 12.59% APR. Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount.1
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty2
- Easy online application accessible on all devices
- Get a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction while enrolled in and making monthly payments by automatic debit3
- You can apply for the funds you need to cover all your school-certified expenses for the entire school year including tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, meals, travel, and even a laptop whether you're studying online or on campus4
- You may apply to release your cosigner from the loan after you graduate, make 12 on-time principal and interest payments and meet certain credit requirements5
1This loan is for undergraduate students at participating degree-granting schools. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend a participating school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify their identity. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
Interest is charged starting when money is 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 freshman with no other Sallie Mae loans.
2Although we do not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note-first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
3The 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.
4Loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received as certified by the school. Sallie Mae reserves the right to approve a lower loan amount than the school-certified amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half time.
5Only the borrower may apply for cosigner release. Borrowers who meet the age of majority in their state may apply for cosigner release by providing proof of graduation (or completion of certification program), income, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (if your status has changed since you applied). In the last 12 months, the borrower must be current on all Sallie Mae serviced loans (including no hardship forbearances or modified repayment programs) and have paid ahead or made 12 on-time principal and interest payments on each loan requested for release. When the cosigner release application is processed, the borrower must demonstrate the ability to assume full responsibility of the loan(s) individually, and pass a credit review that demonstrates a satisfactory credit history including but not limited to no: open bankruptcy, open foreclosure, student loan(s) in default or 90 day delinquencies in the last 24 months. Requirements are subject to change.
6This promotional benefit is provided at no cost to borrowers with new loans that first disburse prior to April 30, 2021. Borrowers who reside in, attend school in, or borrow for a student attending school in Maine are not eligible for this benefit. Chegg Tutors offers One Free session of up to 60 minutes. A session will be considered redeemed if it has a minimum duration of thirty (30) minutes. Any minutes not used within the same session will expire upon conclusion of the session. No cash value. Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit Chegg.com/studystarter/termsandconditions for complete details. This offer expires one year after issuance.
7Borrowers and cosigners who have an available FICO® Score and a Sallie Mae loan with a current balance greater than $0, may receive their score quarterly after the first disbursement of their loan. The FICO® Score provided to you is the FICO® Score 8 based on TransUnion data, and is the same score that Sallie Mae uses, along with other information, to manage your account. FICO® Scores and associated educational content are provided solely for your own non-commercial personal review, use and benefit. This benefit may change or end in the future. FICO® is a registered trademark of the Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Information advertised valid as of 4/1/2021
SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK SALLIEMAE.COM FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
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 respective owners.
Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.
Edvisors is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Sallie Mae loan customers.
© 2021 Sallie Mae Bank. All rights reserved. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
- Competitive fixed and variable APRs starting at 1.04%1
- Multiple repayment options including: full principal and interest, interest-only, deferred, and flat payment
- Flexible payment terms ranging from 5, 8, 10, and 15 years2
- Coverage up to 100% of your school-certified cost of attendance ($1,000 minimum)3
- No origination, application and processing fees, no fees for early repayment
- Apply online in 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision
We get it. You want to pay as little interest as possible and have monthly payments you can afford. That's why the College Ave Student Loan Product has low rates and multiple repayment options to help you manage the total cost of the loan.
- Low rates, free to apply, and no disbursement fees
- 0.25% interest rate reduction when you make payments by automatic debit1
- Borrow up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance (minimum $1,000)3
- The most repayment choices - and help making sense of them
- No penalty for early repayment
- You (and your cosigner, if applicable) must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- You must be enrolled at least half-time as a student at an eligible degree-granting school
- Students must meet the minimum age of majority for their state of residence if applying alone
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through either Firstrust 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.
1Rates shown are for the College Ave Undergraduate Loan product and include autopay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
2This 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.
3As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
Information advertised valid as of 4/22/2021. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Lowest advertised rates require selection of full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term.
- Variable Rates: Starting variable rates range from 1.12% APR - 11.89% APR (with autopay)*, and will never exceed 13.95% (sometimes lower in certain states as required by law)
- Fixed Rates: Fixed rates range from 4.13% APR to 11.52% APR (with autopay)*
- Easy online application!
- No origination fees, late fees, and no insufficient fund fees. Period
- Up to four repayment types (including no payments while in school) and multiple repayment terms help you find the loan that fits your budget
- 0.25% discount when you set up autopay*
Get competitive-rate in-school loans that work for you. SoFi makes the process simple—so paying for school is stress-free.
- 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.
- Additional perks like career planning, job search assistance and entrepreneurship support available.
- Get a 0.25% discount when you set up autopay.*
- No fees means no fees. That means no origination fees, no late fees, and no insufficient fund fees.
- Cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance
*Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen or other eligible status and and meet SoFi's underwriting requirements. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. To qualify for the lowest rate, you must have a responsible financial history and meet other conditions. If approved, your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including term of loan, evaluation of your creditworthiness, years of professional experience, income, and a variety of other factors. Rates and Terms are subject to change at anytime without notice and are subject to state restrictions. SoFi refinance loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Income Based Repayment or Income Contingent Repayment or PAYE. Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Financing Law License No. 6054612. SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Lending Corp., NMLS # 1121636. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
- Competitive fixed & variable rates starting at 3.99% APR1
- Flexible 5, 10, or 15-year terms
- Award-winning customer service every step of the way
Get the help you need to pay for school with CommonBond. We’ve got your back with competitive rates, award-winning service, borrower protections, and multiple repayment options. No hidden fees, no double-digit APRs here. And we offer resources to help you make the right personal finance choices.
We’re on a mission to make student loans more affordable, more transparent, and easier to manage. We provide choices and support every step of the way and take pride in being a partner on your educational journey. And the best part? With CommonBond, you’ll always receive a competitive rate. No double-digit interest rates here.
- Flexibility: Since everyone's financial situation is different, we provide flexibility — so you can make the best decision for yourself –
- Borrow up to 100% of your school's cost of attendance.
- Loan terms of 5, 10, and 15 years, each available at both fixed and variable rates.
- Multiple repayment options, from paying as you go while in school (in exchange for a lower rate) to completely postponing payments until you graduate.
- Service: Our award-winning Care Team is available by phone, email, and live chat to answer any questions you have. Breathe easy — our experts know what you're going through!
- Simplicity: With our easy online application, you can get approved in minutes. There are no pre-payment penalties and no hassles. No kidding.
- Resources: We provide expert content, helpful webinars, and easy-to-use tools to help you understand the impact of your choices — so you can make the right decisions.
- Social Promise: Your loan makes a difference. For every loan we fund we also fund the education of a child in need. We're the first — and only — lender to make that promise.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
- You must be enrolled at least half-time as a graduate student at one of the schools in our network.
Offered terms are subject to change. Loans are offered by CommonBond Lending, LLC (NMLS # 1175900). The following table displays the estimated monthly payment, total interest, and Annual Percentage Rates (APR) for a $10,000 loan. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) shown for each in-school loan product reflects the accruing interest, the effect of one-time capitalization of interest at the end of a deferment period, a 2% origination fee, and the applicable Repayment Plan. All loans are eligible for a 0.25% reduction in interest rate (ACH discount) by agreeing to automatic payment withdrawals once in repayment, which is reflected in the APR shown for Full Principal and Interest Repayment Plan loans. Variable rates may increase after consummation. All variable rates are based on a 1-month LIBOR assumption of 0.99 as of April 25, 2017.
Under the Full Deferment Repayment Plan option, interest and principal may be deferred while a borrower is enrolled in school on at least a half time basis, and for an additional six month grace period (up to a maximum of 60 consecutive months) following (i) graduation, (ii) termination of enrollment, or (iii) if a borrower ceases enrollment on at least a half-time basis, at which time interest is capitalized and a 60-month repayment period (5-year term), a 120-month repayment period (10-year term) or a 180-month repayment period (15-year term) begins. There are three other Repayment Plan options available, an Interest Only Repayment plan, in which principal will be deferred and payments made on interest only during the same period described above after which payments will increase to full principal and interest payments, a Flat Repayment plan, in which payments of $25 will be made during the same period described above after which payments will increase to full principal and interest payments, and a Full Principal and Interest Repayment plan, in which payments will begin immediately after disbursement. A borrower's actual APR may vary depending on the repayment option selected by the borrower. The dollar amount of the origination fee is based on the amount borrowed and will be added to the outstanding loan balance upon disbursement. Loans are not offered or endorsed by the educational institution that you are attending. CommonBond is not affiliated with any educational institution.
For more information, visit https://commonbond.co/disclaimers#note3.
- AFFORDABLE variable rates starting at 2.14% APR with Automatic Debit Discount*
- 1% CASH BACK Graduation Reward*
- NON-COSIGNED option may be available for undergraduate juniors and seniors.
- PAY AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL – Customize your loan with flexible repayment options – start payments after graduation.
- FORGET FEES – No application, origination or disbursement fees. No prepayment penalty if you choose to pay your loan off early.
- COVER UP TO 100% of your tuition and eligible living expenses.
Student loans should expand your possibilities, not limit them. Ascent’s private student loan gives students more opportunities to qualify for a loan! Ascent offers benefits that put students first, like 1% Cash Back at graduation and more…
- AFFORDABLE variable rates starting at 2.14% APR with Automatic Debit Discount*
- 1% CASH BACK Graduation Reward*
- NON-COSIGNED option may be available for eligible undergraduate juniors and seniors.
- PAY AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL – Customize your loan with flexible repayment options – start payments after graduation.
- FORGET FEES – No application, origination or disbursement fees. No prepayment penalty if you choose to pay your loan off early.
- COVER UP TO 100% of your tuition and eligible living expenses.
- Ascent considers several factors which may include: creditworthiness, school, program, graduation date, major, cost of attendance and other factors.
- Ascent loans are for college students (both undergraduate and graduate) that are at least half-time enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution.
- Students applying without a cosigner must be U.S. citizens or have U.S. permanent resident status. Students that are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident may apply with a credit worthy cosigner that is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
- The Ascent non-cosigned option is for undergraduate juniors and seniors that are full-time enrolled (or with an expected graduation date within 9-months of the date the loan application is submitted) in a degree program at an eligible institution.
- MUST be U.S. citizens or have U.S. permanent resident status.
- MUST have satisfactory academic performance of 2.9+ GPA or greater.
* Ascent loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, 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 05/01/2021 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 2.00% (for undergraduate future income-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: www.AscentFunding.com/Rates
1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Click here for details. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student borrowers must have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner.
- Variable rates starting at 1.05% APR (including 0.25% Auto Pay discount)1
- 9 month grace period (3 months more than most lenders)2
- No fees for origination, disbursement, prepayment or late payment
- Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)3
Earnest is a technology company using cutting-edge data science, smarter design, and software automation to rebuild financial services. With a mission to empower people with the financial capital they need to live better lives, Earnest's lending products are built for a new generation seeking to reach life's milestones. The company uses data and technology to understand every applicant's unique financial story and offer the lowest possible rates.
- Variable rates starting at 1.05% APR (including 0.25% Auto Pay discount)1
- Check your eligibility in just 2 minutes
- 9 month grace period (3 months more than most lenders)2
- Fast application and decision-making process
- Flexible repayment options
- No fees for origination, disbursement, prepayment or late payment
- Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)3
- Covers up to 100% of the school's certified cost of attendance
This information is for undergraduate students attending participating degree-granting schools. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents if the school is located outside of the United States. Non-U.S. citizen borrowers who reside in the U.S. are eligible with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and are required to provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify identity. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
1Auto Pay discount: If you make monthly payments by an automatic, monthly deduction from a savings or checking account, your rate will be reduced by one quarter of one percent (0.25%) for so long as you continue to make automatic, electronic monthly payments. Not all borrowers will qualify for our lowest rates, and your rate will be based on creditworthiness at time of application.
2Not available for borrowers who choose Earnest’s Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.
3Earnest clients may skip one payment every 12 months. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Please be aware that a skipped payment does count towards the forbearance limits outlined in your loan agreement. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term.
- No accruing interest!1
- Payments based on a fixed percentage of future income
- Lower (or no) payments when you're unemployed or underemployed.
1Graduate programs or second Bachelor's only (Must have Bachelor's degree); Must meet minimal credit standards for approval; US Citizens and permanent residents only; School and program restrictions apply
Stride Funding offers students flexible ways to pay for their education with Income Share Agreements (ISAs).
- No accruing interest!1
- Payments based on a fixed percentage of future income
- Lower (or no) payments when you're unemployed or underemployed.
- Innovative alternative to traditional student loans.
- Grace period after graduation before payments begin.
- Pause payments for certain life events.
- Graduate students or second Bachelor's only (Must have Bachelor's degree).
- Within 2 years of graduation in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program at an accredited U.S. school
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Enrolled at least half-time
- 3.0+ GPA
- Credit check required
1Graduate programs or second Bachelor's only (Must have Bachelor's degree); Must meet minimal credit standards for approval; US Citizens and permanent residents only; School and program restrictions apply
Private Student Loan FAQs
A private student loan is a credit-based loan for college that can cover the gap between financial aid received and the full cost of attendance. Private student loans are issued by private lending institutions, such as banks and credit unions. Lenders will require you to submit an application. Upon receipt of your application, they will confirm you meet their credit approval criteria, and ask you complete any other requirements (such as verification of school registration).
Private student loans should not be confused with student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education, which does offer federal student loans through the federal student aid program. To learn more, please see an Introduction to Federal Student Loans.
Lenders accept and process private student loan applications throughout the year. You may apply at any time.
There are the obvious expenses, such as school tuition and fees. However, you can use your student loans to help you cover other education-related costs. Some of those items include:
- Books and supplies
- Housing – on- or off-campus
- Food
- Transportation to and from school
- Childcare
- Study abroad
In general, you are able to use your money to help you cover the cost of college and living expenses while you’re attending college.
HOWEVER, it’s inappropriate to use your student loans to pay for vacations (like spring break), buying clothes, or to invest that money to try to get a profit. If you are using student loan money inappropriately, there could be consequences (like an immediate demand of repayment). If you don’t get caught using your student loan money to live luxuriously, you could be paying that money back for years after graduation. /p>
Here are some of the key differences:
| Private Student Loan | Federal Student Loan | |
| Lender | Bank, credit union, financial institution, state agency, or college/university | U.S. Department of Education |
| FAFSA Required? | No | Yes |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed and variable options available | Fixed |
| Rates Based on Credit Criteria? | Yes | No |
| Cosigner Required? | Yes, unless borrower has strong credit history | No* |
| Repayment Plans | Varies by lender. Some lenders may offer multiple options. | Multiple plans (including income-driven) available |
| Forbearance Options | Varies by lender. Typically one year. | Three years |
*Direct PLUS Loans offered to parents of students attending college, or graduate students, require a credit check. If the borrower is found to have adverse credit, a cosigner may be required.
Private student loan lenders, generally, will not let you borrow money in excess of your cost of attendance. Your school will let you know the maximum amount you can borrow in a private student loan, which will be determined by subtracting all the aid you have been awarded/accepted from your total cost of attendance.
90% of undergraduate students and 75% of graduate students need a cosigner to get approved for a private student loan. Some students may have the credit qualifications to get approved without a cosigner. It all depends on your credit rating and history.
Different lenders have different qualifying criteria. To determine eligibility, it’s best to contact a potential lender directly.
One method is to enter your school at https://www.privatestudentloans.com/. You will be presented with a list of our lender partners who work with your school. If you have any additional questions, or would like to seek additional options, it would be best for you to contact your school’s financial aid office.
The exact amount of time will vary by lender, school, and time of year. Generally, the process can take as little as two weeks and as long as two months. Since the loan funds will be sent directly to your school, any money left over after the school applies your loan to your account will be refunded to you.
Private student loan terms and conditions vary by lender. However, there are some terms and conditions that tend to be pretty similar from lender to lender.
- The interest rate on a private student loan is determined by the credit of the borrower and cosigner (if needed), among other factors.
- The loan funds are sent directly to the school.
- Repayment typically begins six months after leaving school, but interest may begin to accrue immediately after the loan is disbursed.
- The amount borrowed usually determines the time period for repaying the loan.
Failure to meet the terms and conditions of the loan you chose may damage the credit of both the borrower and cosigner.
It depends. If you make all of your payments on time, your credit may improve over time. Late and missed payments may damage your credit.
If you need to obtain a loan later (additional private student loan, car loan, or mortgage), your debt-to-income ratio will likely be considered. It is always recommended to borrow only what you need.
Yes, some private student loan lenders offer options for students who are seeking professional training and trade certificate programs.
Many students enrolled in non-degree programs don’t know where to turn when they need help paying their tuition and fees. And like them, you may be considering other types of funding, like using a credit card or obtaining a personal loan. You would want to weigh your options carefully, credit cards may come with high interest rates, and personal loans may not offer flexible options for student borrowers.
Compare private student loan lenders that work with your school today.
Borrower benefits, like forgiveness, vary by lender. Before you obtain a private student loan, it is recommended you review the terms and conditions for each loan you are considering.
Unless you have a strong credit rating and history, you will probably need to apply with a credit-worthy cosigner. It's also important to remember that not all lenders provide loans at all schools, so you will need to select a lender that works with your school.
Technically, yes. But private student loans, like federal student loans, are very difficult to have discharged through bankruptcy proceedings. You will need to demonstrate that the repayment of the loan would “impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor’s dependents.†(U.S. Bankruptcy Code). For more information it is best you discuss your options with your legal adviser.
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