Find your best student loans

Here are the top lenders of 2020!

Lender	APR	Get started
	Fixed APR: 3.49% - 12.78%² Variable APR: 1.24% - 11.44%² Includes 0.25% autopay discount¹ Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period has started) Earnest disclosure	Apply
	Fixed APR: 4.13% to 11.52% (with autopay)² Variable APR: 1.78% to 11.89% (with autopay)² 0.25% interest rate reduction when you make required payments by automatic debit¹ Unemployment protection 4 Repayment options to choose from Sofi disclosure	Apply
	Fixed APR: 3.49% - 12.99%² Variable APR: 1.09% - 11.98%² Apply in as little as 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision Multiple repayment options from deferred to immediate principal and interest Choice of how long you take to repay the loan – 5, 8, 10, or 15 years³ 0.25% interest rate reduction when you make required payments by automatic debit¹ Borrow up to 100% of your cost of attendance (minimum $1,000)¹ College Ave disclosure	Apply

1.09% – 11.98% variable APR²
3.49% – 12.99% fixed APR²
Apply in as little as 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision
Multiple repayment options from deferred to immediate principal and interest
Choice of how long you take to repay the loan – 5, 8, 10, or 15 years³
0.25% interest rate reduction when you make required payments by automatic debit¹
Borrow up to 100% of your cost of attendance (minimum $1,000)¹
College Ave disclosure

Apply

Fixed Rates: 3.49% – 12.78%*
Variable Rates: 1.24% – 11.44%*
Includes 0.25% autopay discount
Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period has started)*
*Disclosure from Earnest

Apply

Variable APR: 1.70% – 7.68%¹
Fixed APR: 5.45% – 9.74%¹
No fees: No application, origination or prepayment fees
Award-winning Care team, now with dedicated Money Mentors available via text
Social Promise: Your loan helps provide education for those in need
Low rates and flexible payment plans, including forbearance protection
Covers up to 100% of cost of attendance

Apply

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Understanding student loans

To cover this massive expense, students and families use student loans to help finance post-secondary education costs including tuition, room and board, books, and additional living expenses.

When shopping for private student loans, it’s important to make sure you keep in mind each private student loan provider has its own set of terms, rates and eligibility requirements that vary, unlike a typical federal loan. Also know that applying with a co-signer can greatly improve your chances of qualifying.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best way to pay for college?

If you need extra funding to help pay for your higher education, you should start by maximizing free financing sources such as scholarships and grants. After you maximize free money, you can turn to loans.

How do I apply for student loans?

We recommend that you take advantage of federal loans before turning to private loans. To apply for a federal loan, you must first complete the FAFSA and be accepted into an accredited collegiate program. Federal loans are need-based, tied to uniform interest rates, and do not require specific credit scores. Because federal funding is in high demand, remember to apply early.

What's the difference between federal and private student loans?

There are many differences between federal and private student loans. For starters, unlike fed student loans, private loans are credit-based loans that are issued by private banks. This means that interest rates may vary based on a borrower's credit-worthiness. It can also mean that you may need a co-signer on your application if you have bad credit to be approved for private student loans. After graduation and sometimes before, you may seek to consolidate your student loans to reduce your monthly payments or overall cost. Student loan forgiveness is in the news quite a bit lately, but we don’t recommend using that hope as a repayment strategy.

How do I find the best interest rates?

As we say again and again, always start with federal student loans. When you’re looking to find the best private student loan, we highly recommend you compare student loans. Private student loans can have different interest rates, repayment terms, and other details that you’ll want to be aware of before you decide on the best student loan for you.

Be sure you understand how interest rates work.

How do I apply for private student loans?

If you have unmet financial needs to cover your college costs, and you’ve exhausted free and federal financing options, you may choose to turn to private student loans. When comparing private student loans, remember to pay special attention to interest rates, and repayment terms. Here’s a list of the top lenders of 2020 that we have vetted for your convenience.

Do I need a cosigner on my student loan?

While many lenders make it a requirement, some lenders offer student loans without a cosigner. If you or your parents have bad credit, it may be necessary to find a cosigner with a higher credit score to help you get a loan.

How can I refinance my student loan?

Student loan refinancing, sometimes called student loan consolidation, is a great option for borrowers to pay their student loans back faster, lower their monthly payments or reduce the overall cost of their loan.

Just like undergraduate student loans, refinance student loans can vary quite a bit. To help you navigate through different options, we’ve pulled together the best place to refinance student loans by allowing you to compare between the best student loan refinance companies.

Generally speaking, it’s a challenge to secure a refinance student loan with bad credit, but as the saying goes, it never hurts to try. Remember that loan forgiveness is not something you can plan on, so in the meantime, plan to compare refinance student loan options and find the right fit for your needs.