Best Student Loans Of
Join the countless satisfied shoppers who turn to ConsumerRating.org to make smart purchase decisions. Our experts personally tested and compared countless top-rated student loans, and combed through research, reviews, and pricing to bring you our recommendations.
Last Updated

9.9
- Apply in as little as 3 minutes & receive instant credit decision
- Cover up to 100% of school cost & other school-related expenses2
- Loan term options include 5, 8, 10 and 15 years3
- No application, origination or prepayment fees
APR Starting At 3.47%1
9.8
- Undergraduate loan – Fixed rates 3.49%-15.49% APR1
- Variable or fixed rate student loan options put you in control
- Applying online is easy - you could receive a credit result in about 10 minutes
- Multiple repayment options from in-school payments to deferred2
- Borrow up to 100% of school-certified expenses, whether you’re online or on campus3
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty4
APR starting at 3.49%1
9.7
- Co-signer Recommended
- Save with 1% cash back at graduation + 0.25% - 1.00% autopay discount
- Start payments up to 9 months after graduation
- Cover up to 100% of school cost & other school-related expenses
- No fees - No application, origination, disbursement or late fees
APR starting at 3.39%*
9.6
- Fast application and decision process. Hear back in as little as 24 hours
- Customizable payment plans with 4 flexible repayment options
- Allows students to skip one payment every 12 months2
- No origination fees, no application fees & no late fees
Fixed APR Starting at 3.47% (including 0.25% Auto Pay discount)
9.5
- Rate discounts available for autopay (0.25%), repeat borrowers (0.25%), and cosigners taking out multiple loans to support multiple kids in college (0.25%)2
- Got a 3.0 GPA or higher? You can get up to $250 for your good grades! 3
- Cover 100% of school-certified costs.
- Flexible repayment options to fit your needs, including interest-only payments, immediately repay, and deferred payment.
- Check your rate online in just 3 minutes, with no impact to your credit score. 4
APR Starting at 3.54%1
9.3
- Check pre-qualified rates without impacting your credit score
- Compare rates from up to 8 lenders at once
- Easily add a student to your application as a cosigner
- No origination, prepayment, or service fees
APR starting at 3.39% fixed APR (with autopay)*
How we Determined the Best Student Loans
For millions of people in the U.S., student loans provide a way to make continuing education possible. And while the first step to funding your future should always start with filling out the FAFSA and exploring what federal loan options are available to you, sometimes it’s still necessary to explore different, or additional, paths.
If you’ve exhausted your options for scholarships, grants and other opportunities like work-study funds, and are still falling short on covering costs for your education, it may be time to explore your options for private student loans.
With a multitude of private student loans available, choosing the right lender for you is key to getting the money you need, while managing costs and minimizing debt. But with the number of options seemingly increasing as steadily as the cost of education itself, and so many factors to consider, the task can feel daunting. If this sounds familiar, you’ve landed in the right spot.
Our ranking of the top student loans separates the best from the rest, providing you with a list of companies that have been vetted and researched, helping you easily compare loan options, interest rates and flexible repayment terms.
If you’re curious about how we decided on the best student loans available today, keep reading for a breakdown of the criteria we used.
Our Criteria
Here’s what went into our decision for choosing the best student loan providers, and tips on how to determine which option is best for you:
Loan Types
There are several types of private student loans, and they generally differ in terms of eligibility requirements, loan structure and repayment options. Here are the main types you’ll see when shopping for a private student loan:
Undergraduate
- Designed for students pursuing a bachelor’s or associate degree
- Requires enrollment at an accredited institution and a good credit score
- Borrowed funds can cover tuition, fees, books and other educational expenses
- Repayment terms vary, with options for deferred, interest-only or full payments while in school
Graduate
- Specifically for students pursuing a master’s, doctoral or professional degree, such as law, medical or business
- Generally allows for higher borrowing limits compared to undergraduate loans
- Loan amount can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees and other educational expenses
- Repayment options are similar to undergraduate loans but may offer more flexible terms since grad students often have higher earning potential after graduation
International Loans
- Designed for students who are studying in the U.S. but are not citizens or permanent residents
- Typically requires a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Borrowed funds can be used to cover tuition, educational and living expenses
- Repayment terms are similar to those for U.S. students, with flexible options depending on the lender
Refinance & Consolidation
- Options to refinance your existing loan for a better interest rate, or to consolidate multiple loans into one monthly payment
- Requires solid credit history, stable income and completion of schooling to qualify
- Benefits include reducing your overall monthly payment or saving on interest if you qualify for a lower rate
Interest Rates
Private student loan providers typically offer fixed and variable interest rates. A fixed rate remains the same throughout the loan term, while variable rates can change periodically based on market conditions. The pro to a fixed rate is that you know exactly what your monthly payment will be. With a variable rate loan, you might get a lower rate at some point and a higher rate at others, and you need to make sure your budget can accommodate for those fluctuations.
When shopping for student loans, you’re able to compare interest rate ranges between vendors for a general idea, but keep in mind that your exact rate will be determined by your creditworthiness.
Another feature to look out for is a rate-match guarantee, and it’s just what it sounds like: Some loan companies offer to match any of their competitors’ loan rates, to make them an even more attractive option. This is another reason to do your homework (or let us do it for you!) when it comes to interest rates.
Terms
A loan term refers to the length of time that you have to repay the loan. Typically, private student loans offer repayment terms ranging from five to 20 years. A shorter loan term means higher monthly payments, but less paid in interest over the life of the loan. A longer loan term will offer smaller monthly payments, but you’ll end up paying more in interest over the life of the loan, and that can add up.
Most loan companies will have several loan repayment terms to choose from, and the best ones have an interactive tool that you can use to see how the length of a loan affects your monthly payment, interest and total cost of the loan over time, so you can select the loan term that works best for you.
Fees
Some private lenders charge an origination fee for processing your loan, which can range between one and five percent of your total loan amount. If possible, look for a lender with no origination fee. All of the companies on our list have this benefit, and it’s a great way for you to save money.
Many private student loan companies also advertise no fees for disbursement, prepayment or late payments, but this isn’t necessarily true across the board, so this is another area where it pays to do your research. Be sure you know and understand what fees apply, and whether there is anything you can do to avoid them.
Repayment Options
Another feature you’ll find with private student loan providers is flexible repayment terms, including deferred, fixed, full and interest-only payments while you’re in school. Here’s how they work:
- Deferment: No payments while in school
- Fixed: Small, set payment while in school, sometimes referred to as flat payments
- Full: Full monthly payments while in school, including principal and interest
- Interest-Only: Pay only loan interest while in school, instead of letting it accrue
Credit Requirements
When it comes to creditworthiness, student loan companies typically require a few criteria to be met, including a minimum credit score and a favorable debt-to-income ratio. Here’s some more in-depth information about these criteria:
- Credit Score: Most private student loans require a solid credit score, typically 650 or higher. If you have limited or poor credit, you’ll need to look into a cosigner for the loan, or a different loan option with less stringent requirements.
- Income & Debt-to-Income Ratio: Student loan providers will also typically look at your current income, and your debt-to-income ratio, which tells lenders what percentage of your income goes toward your monthly debt payments.
Undergrad students in particular may have trouble meeting these requirements, which is where a cosigner may be necessary. By combining their credit history and income with yours, you may be able to qualify for a much better interest rate and terms than going it alone.
Other Considerations
There are a few other factors we look for when rating student loan companies, including their loan limits, what borrower benefits they offer, what the disbursement process is like and whether they offer a cosigner release option.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Loan Limits: Private loans aren’t subject to the same caps as federal loans. But that’s not to say they’re without limits, or that you should borrow the maximum that you’re eligible for. Be sure you have a clear idea of your expenses, and don’t take more than you need.
- Borrower Benefits: For substantial savings over time, look for lenders who offer interest rate reductions if you set up automatic payments. You may also find lenders who offer other benefits, such as repayment assistance and graduation or career milestone benefits. Factor these benefits into your final decision when choosing a lender.
- Disbursement Process: Be sure you know how the loan is disbursed, and when you can expect to receive the funds. This may differ from lender to lender, but funds are usually distributed to your school first to cover tuition, with any excess being paid out directly to you afterward.
- Cosigner Release: If you need a cosigner, check whether the lender offers a cosigner release option. This can help relieve your cosigner from responsibility after a certain number of on-time payments are made.
- Lender Reputation: This is paramount. Be sure to look into the lender’s reputation for customer service, responsiveness and financial strength. We do this with every lender we review, so you can rest assured that the brands you see here have been vetted.
Student Loans FAQs
Federal loans are offered by the government and typically come with lower interest rates, income-driven repayment options, potential forgiveness programs and other protections.
Private student loans are offered by banks, credit unions and online lenders. They generally have higher interest rates and fewer repayment protections, but they offer flexibility in terms of loan limits and repayment terms.
Pros:
- Higher borrowing limits than federal loans in some cascades
- Flexible repayment terms and options depending on the lender
- Potentially lower interest rates if you have good credit
- Options for refinance and consolidation of existing loans after graduation
Cons:
- You may need a cosigner if you lack credit history
- Interest rates can be higher for borrowers with poor credit
- Fewer repayment protections—for example, no income-driven repayment or loan forgiveness options
Yes, private student loans can be used to pay for living expenses, including rent, food, transportation and other personal expenses, as long as your total loan amount doesn’t exceed the cost of attendance as determined by your school.
Although this gives students a lot of financial freedom, and can help relieve the burden of having to work while in school for some students, it’s important to be mindful that borrowing more than necessary leads to higher overall debt when you graduate, and more money that you’ll pay into interest over the life of your loan.
Disclaimers
CollegeAve
Disclosure:
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.
- All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
- As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
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This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. 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 03/03/2025. 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 the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Ascent
Disclosure:
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, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent’s Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs.
Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 03/01/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% for credit-based college student loans and 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. The Full P&I (Immediate) Repayment option is only available for college loans (except for outcomes-based loans) originated on or after June 3, 2024. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school, and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores.
Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits.
The AscentUP platform is only available to eligible Ascent borrowers and subject to terms and conditions.
Credible
Disclosures:
Prequalified Rates Disclosure:
- Prequalified rates are based on the information you provide and a soft credit inquiry. Receiving prequalified rates does not guarantee that the Lender will extend you an offer of credit. You are not yet approved for a loan or a specific rate. All credit decisions, including loan approval, if any, are determined by Lenders, in their sole discretion. Lowest rate advertised is not available for all loan sizes, types, or purposes, and assumes a very well qualified borrower with an excellent credit profile.
Won’t Impact your Credit Score Disclosure:
- Requesting prequalified rates on Credible is free and doesn’t affect your credit score. However, applying for or closing a loan will involve a hard credit pull that impacts your credit score and closing a loan will result in costs to you.
Sallie Mae
Disclosures:
Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend 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. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.
1 Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
2 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.
3 For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may
be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
4 Although 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.
SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS,
SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
Information advertised valid as of 10/12/2024
Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.
ConsumerRating is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae
for the referral of the Sallie Mae loan customers.
SoFi
Disclosure:
1UNDERGRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates range from 3.54% APR to 15.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 4.64% APR to 15.99% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. GRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates range from 3.54% APR to 14.83% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 4.64% APR to 15.86% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. PARENT LOANS: Fixed rates range from 5.74% APR to 16.85% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 6.07% APR to 16.85% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount.
Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Check out our eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/.
For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.
4To check the rates and terms you qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
0.125% Continuing Scholar Discount: Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for private student loan customers who have previously borrowed a private student loan from SoFi and are taking out a subsequent loan only, select a term and repayment type that is eligible for the discount, and is subject to lender approval. To receive the offer, you must: (1) complete a loan application with SoFi between 1/11/24 12:01AM PT to 1/30/25 11:59PM PT; and (2) meet SoFi’s underwriting criteria. Once conditions are met and the loan has been disbursed, the interest rate shown in the Final Disclosure Statement will include an additional 0.25% rate discount because you have borrowed a private student loan from SoFi in the past. Offer good for existing private student loan borrowers only. Offer cannot be combined with other rate discounts, with the exception of the 0.25% AutoPay rate discount. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the Rate Discount Program to unenrolled participants at any time with or without notice.
0.25% Family Rate Discount: Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for SoFi private student loan cosigners who have previously borrowed a private student loan from SoFi and are taking out a subsequent loan only, select a term and repayment type that is eligible for the discount, and is subject to lender approval. To receive the offer, you must: (1) complete a loan application with SoFi; (2) meet SoFi’s underwriting criteria. Once conditions are met and the loan has been disbursed, the interest rate shown in the Final Disclosure Statement will include an additional 0.25% rate discount because you have borrowed a private student loan from SoFi in the past. Offer good for existing private student loan cosigners only. Cannot be combined with other rate discounts, with the exception of the 0.25% autopay rate discount and the SoFi Member Discount. Once the family discount benefit is earned, it cannot be lost. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the Rate Discount Program to unenrolled participants at any time with or without notice.
2The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.
ISL eligibility extends to US territories. US, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Island residents can apply for a student loan to attend approved schools in these areas.
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. (https://www.sofi.com/faq/)
Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. NMLS # 696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Minimum loan requirements may be higher than $1,000. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.
3Reward Eligibility:
If eligible, you may receive one cash reward to a SoFi Checking and Savings account. The cash reward offered is $100 for single-semester loans and $250 for full-year loans.
You will be eligible to receive the cash reward to a SoFi Checking and Savings account on the school-certified loan amount if:
- You must be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for the academic period in which your loan was taken out is at least a 3.0.
- Must have applied for and/or have an existing SoFi Checking and Savings account under the same name listed on your SoFi Private Student Loan
- Your SoFi Private Student Loan is for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, or the full ‘24-25 academic year.
- You signed your loan agreement for a SoFi Private Student Loan during the promotional period.
- The first disbursement on your eligible student loan has been sent to your school.
Please note: If you apply for and are approved for multiple loans, you will be eligible to receive the reward once for the academic year associated with your loan(s). For example, if you took out a loan for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, only one of those loans would be eligible for Good Grades Rewards.
Your final reward amount will be determined by the length of your loan period.
This reward is considered taxable income and may be reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. We recommend you consult a tax professional for advice.
It is your responsibility to notify us if you do not receive an expected cash reward, once you complete and submit the redemption form. You can contact SoFi at (855) 456-SOFI (7634) or via the chat function in the app.
Reward Redemption: To redeem the reward, you must log in to your SoFi account and fill out the redemption form. The form should be completed after accepting the loan and receiving your cumulative GPA for the academic period associated with the loan. The redemption form will become available after the first disbursement of your loan has been received by your school.
Upon self-attestation of your cumulative GPA, a credit of $100 or $250 will be added to the SoFi Checking and Savings account registered under your name.
In the event your SoFi Checking and Savings account application is declined, we will email instructions to credit you the rewards amount via Automated Clearing House (ACH). We may request additional documentation to verify the GPA (or equivalent) provided on the redemption form. If any information provided on the redemption form is inaccurate, SoFi reserves the right to end your consideration for the promotion.
Changes to These Terms and Conditions: The Student Loan Rewards for Good Grades Program may end at any time. These Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice. Changes may include, but are not limited to, changing the redemption methods or imposing additional conditions.
Information advertised valid as of 03/20/2025
©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Lender.
Earnest
Disclosure:
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 3.47% APR to 16.49% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 4.99% APR to 16.85% 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.
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Before applying for private student loans, it’s best to maximize your other sources of financial aid first. It’s recommended to use a 3-step approach to assembling the funds you need: 1) Look for funds you don’t have to pay back, like scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. 2) Next, fill out a FAFSA(R) form to apply for federal student loans. Federal Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, excluding PLUS Loan for Parents and PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students which require a credit check and a credit worthy endorser if the parent or graduate or professional student has adverse credit, do not require a credit check or cosigner, and offer various protections if you’re struggling with your payments. 3) Finally, consider a private student loan to cover any difference between your total cost of attendance and the amount not covered in steps 1 and 2. For more information, visit the Department of Education website at https://studentaid.gov/
2. Please note that you may lose benefits associated with your underlying federal loans, such as federal Income-driven Repayment Plans (an example of which is the SAVE plan), Economic Hardship Deferment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or other deferment and forbearance options, if you refinance into a private loan. If you file for bankruptcy, you may still be required to pay back this loan.
3. Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, returned check, or prepayments. Florida Stamp Tax: For Florida residents, Florida documentary stamp tax is required by law, calculated as $0.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of the principal loan amount, the amount of which is provided in the Final Disclosure. Lender will add the stamp tax to the principal loan amount. The full amount will be paid directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. Certificate of Registration No. 78-8016373916-1.
4. Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.
5. 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 from a checking or savings account. 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. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.
6. Terms and conditions apply. To qualify for this Earnest Rate Match Bonus offer: 1) you must submit a completed student loan application; 2) you must provide documentation of an eligible competitive rate offer exclusive of all discounts by calling Client Happiness at (888) 601-2801 or chat on Earnest.com and follow the instructions to send in your proof of lower rate; and 3) you must provide a valid email address during the application process. The bonus will be paid out in the form of a gift card. You will receive instructions on how to redeem the gift card via the email address you have provided. Limit one rate match bonus per application. A bonus cannot be issued to residents in MA.
Bonuses that are not redeemed within 180 calendar days of the date they were made available to the recipient may be subject to forfeit. Bonus amounts of $600 or greater in a single calendar year may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as miscellaneous income to the recipient on Form 1099-MISC in the year received as required by applicable law. Recipient is responsible for any applicable federal, state or local taxes associated with receiving the bonus offer; consult your tax advisor to determine applicable tax consequences. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Earnest may discontinue this program at any time.
7. Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples: These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable annual percentage rate (“APR”): A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,511.20. 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 $152.84) and a 16.49% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,511.20.
2.) These examples provide estimates based on interest only payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,515.14. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,515.14. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $140.42 for 57 months.
3.) These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $253.39) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,035.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $253.39) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,035.20. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $25.00.
4.) These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $275.17) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,530.60. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $275.17) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,530.60. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $0.
8. Student Loan Manager is powered by Payitoff. Please visit https://www.payitoff.io/ for full terms and conditions.
9. Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 535 Mission St., Suite 1663 San Francisco, CA 94105, NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.
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Before applying for private student loans, it’s best to maximize your other sources of financial aid first. It’s recommended to use a 3-step approach to assembling the funds you need: 1) Look for funds you don’t have to pay back, like scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. 2) Next, fill out a FAFSA(R) form to apply for federal student loans. Federal Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, excluding PLUS Loan for Parents and PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students which require a credit check and a credit worthy endorser if the parent or graduate or professional student has adverse credit, do not require a credit check or cosigner, and offer various protections if you’re struggling with your payments. 3) Finally, consider a private student loan to cover any difference between your total cost of attendance and the amount not covered in steps 1 and 2. For more information, visit the Department of Education website at https://studentaid.gov/
What the Pros are saying
Private lenders often offer competitive rates to borrowers with good credit, which can lead to significant savings on interest. With excellent credit, a student may qualify for lower interest rates with a private student loan compared to federal loans.

Private loans can cover up to the full cost of education. Federal loans are limited by grade level and may only cover a portion of a student's cost to attend.
