Rebecca Safier
Updated on March 25, 2021
March 25, 2021March 25, 2021Success StoriesFeatured, Paying for College, Student Loans1262SEO
Editorial Note: This content is not provided or commissioned by any financial institution. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the financial institution.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU: Student Loan Hero is a completely free website 100% focused on helping student loan borrowers get the answers they need. Read more
How do we make money? It’s actually pretty simple. If you choose to check out and become a customer of any of the loan providers featured on our site, we get compensated for sending you their way. This helps pay for our amazing staff of writers (many of which are paying back student loans of their own!).
Bottom line: We’re here for you. So please learn all you can, email us with any questions, and feel free to visit or not visit any of the loan providers on our site. Read less
Note that the situation for student loans has changed due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and relief efforts from the government, student loan lenders and others. Check out our Student Loan Hero Coronavirus Information Center for additional news and details.
* * *
Private student loan requirements are a lot different than federal student loan requirements. Unlike federal loans, you’ll need to meet a lender’s criteria for credit and income, or apply with a cosigner who can.
Let’s take a look at…
Private student loan requirements you’re likely to encounter
Although specific criteria vary from lender to lender, these are the five most common factors private lenders consider before approving you for a loan:
1. Be enrolled in an eligible school
2. Meet credit and income criteria
3. Be able to apply with a creditworthy cosigner if needed
4. Plan to use the loan for educational expenses
5. Meet age, education and citizenship requirements
1. Be enrolled in an eligible school
Perhaps it goes without saying that you have to be a student to qualify for a student loan. But not every student automatically qualifies.
For one thing, most lenders require that you be enrolled at least half time at your school. Secondly, you have to attend an eligible school. Most four-year colleges qualify, but two-year community colleges and trade schools aren’t always eligible for private student loans.
That said, you might be able to find a private student loan designed specifically for community college or vocational students. Sallie Mae, for instance, offers career training loans for students attending two-year programs or trade schools.
If you’re unsure whether your school qualifies, speak with the private lender about your options. You can also talk to your financial aid office for more information.
2. Meet credit and income criteria
If you want to take out a federal student loan, you don’t have to worry about your credit score. But if you’re worried about how to get approved for a student loan from a private lender, know that you’ll face certain financial requirements.
In particular, private lenders look at three main factors:
- Your credit history
- Your income
- Your debt-to-income ratio
They’ll want to make sure you don’t have a history of defaulting on loans, and they’ll also likely consider your credit score to see how reliable you are with debt in general.
So how good does your credit need to be to get a student loan? That all depends on the lender. Although companies don’t typically advertise a specific minimum, most lenders look for a score in the mid-600s or higher.
If your score is below that level, you might not qualify for a loan. As your credit score moves up into the 700s and 800s, however, you might not only qualify but also have access to the lowest interest rates.
Note that besides credit scores, many lenders also look for proof of steady income, along with a low ratio of preexisting debts to your current salary. Basically, they want to be very sure you’ll be able to pay back the loan after you get it.
3. Be able to apply with a creditworthy cosigner if needed
If you’re a high school student, you might not have much of a credit history or income to speak of. But you don’t have to search for where to get a private student loan with bad credit; instead, you can apply with a cosigner.
Your cosigner — often a parent or close relative — will share responsibility for your debt, but it’s up to you to have a conversation about repayment. If you can pay back the loan, your cosigner doesn’t have to worry much. But if you can’t repay your debt, your cosigner will be just as much on the hook for the loan as you are.
That said, some private lenders offer cosigner release after a certain number of months of on-time repayment. CommonBond, for example, offers cosigner release after 24 consecutive months of repayment. So if you’re making steady progress on your private student loans, your cosigner could eventually get their name cleared off the debt altogether.
Finding a cosigner may prove difficult if no one is willing to take on the responsibility, but that doesn’t mean a private loan isn’t an option. Even though a cosigner is one of the common private student loan requirements, there are lenders out there that will approve students without one, as well as other options if no one will join you in applying for the loan.
4. Plan to use the loan for educational expenses
Private student loans are intended to cover your costs of college, so you’ll need to use the funds for educational expenses.
After you apply, the lender will communicate with your school’s financial aid office to verify your information. Then, the school must certify the amount you’re asking to borrow, confirming the cost of attendance and letting the lender know about any other financial aid you’ve already received.
Once the school certifies your request, the lender will likely send the funds directly to your college. If there’s any money left over after covering your expenses, the school will give that amount to you.
You can use this leftover money to pay for books or other related expenses. But note that these extra funds are still part of the loan that you’ll have to pay back with interest, so you’re better off returning the remainder to your lender right away if you don’t need it.
Remember, any alternative way to pay these expenses — be it with savings, scholarships or income from a part-time job — will mean a lower student loan bill after graduation.
5. Meet age, education and citizenship requirements
A final set of requirements relates to your age, education and citizenship status. To take out private student loans, you must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED or home school certificate).
Generally, you must also have a Social Security number and be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident — someone who has been granted permission to permanently live and work in the U.S.
This requirement can be tricky for international students, but there’s a potential workaround: If you have a U.S. citizen or legal resident willing to cosign for you, then you might be eligible to take out private student loans as an international student.
How to shop around for the best private student loan rates for you
If you meet all the above private student loan requirements, you could be eligible for a loan. But before choosing a lender, make sure to shop around for the best interest rates for you.
Some lenders let you apply for a quick rate quote to see preliminary offers for a loan. The lower the interest rate you get, the more money you’ll save in the long run.
You might also consider other factors, like repayment options and customer reviews. Check out a customer review site for people’s firsthand experiences with lenders. By doing your research, you can find the best lender for you and your family’s financial situation.
A private student loan can help you cover the cost of your education, but failing to do your due diligence might leave you paying more in the future.
Kristina Byas contributed to this report.
Comments 0