Credit Score Needed for Federal & Private Student Loans

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Wondering what credit score you need to get a student loan?

It’ll depend on the type of student loan you want to take out. Generally, credit score isn’t a consideration for most federal student loans, though there are exceptions. For private student loans, your credit score does matter.

Here’s what you should know about the credit score needed for student loans:

• Does credit score matter for federal student loans?
• What’s the credit score minimum for a private student loan?
• Student loan cosigner credit score minimum
• What to know about cosigner release
• How to get a student loan with bad credit
• How to check your credit score
• How to raise your credit score

Does credit score matter for federal student loans?

Most federal student loans — including Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans — don’t require a credit check. That’s why these loans make a good option for students who need help paying for school but who don’t yet have established credit histories.

But if you’d like to take out a Direct PLUS Loan, you’ll have to undergo a credit check. While you don’t need a specific credit score to qualify for a PLUS Loan, you can’t have an adverse credit history.

For the purposes of federal student loans, an adverse credit history means:

• You have a history of missed or late payments on at least one credit card or loan.
• You’re 90 days or more delinquent on more than $2,085 of total debt.
• Your debt has been placed in collection or written off by the lender.

Additionally, if you’ve had any of the following on your credit report in the past five years, the Department of Education will view it as adverse credit history:

• Been found in default
• Had debts discharged in bankruptcy
• Had property foreclosed on
• Had property repossessed
• Had a tax lien
• Had your wages garnished
• Had federal student loan debt written off

Learn More: Grad PLUS Loans: PLUS Loans for Graduate Students

What’s the credit score minimum for a private student loan?

• Minimum credit score: 670
• Ideal credit score for lower interest rates: 700+

Among our partner lenders, you’ll need a credit score of at least 670 to qualify for a private student loan, although some lenders don’t disclose their minimum credit score requirements. However, the higher your score, the better. Most lenders will give you better rates and terms if your score is at least 700.

If you have a poor credit score or limited credit history, you may be better off applying with a cosigner. Around 90% of private student loans are cosigned, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

If you need a private student loan, you can easily see your prequalified rates from our partner lenders in the table below. It’s 100% free to compare rates, and it won’t affect your credit.

Lender	Min. credit score	Loan amount
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	Does not disclose	$2,001* - $400,000
Fixed APR: 4.53%+10 Variable APR: 6.16%+10 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $2,001* to $400,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: 0.25% to 1.00% automatic payment discount, 1% cash back graduation reward Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or DACA student enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program Customer service: Email, phone Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 on-time principal and interest payments Loan servicer: Launch Servicing, LLC
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	670	$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance
Fixed APR: 4.6%+8 Variable APR: 7.64%+8 Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $1,001 up to cost of attendance Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15 Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay, reward for on-time graduation Eligibility: Must be an Indiana resident or a U.S. citizen attending an eligible Indiana school Customer service: Email, phone, chat Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 months Loan servicer: American Education Services
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	670	$1,500 or $2,000 up to school’s certified cost of attendance
Fixed APR: 5.35%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $1,500 up to cost of attendance less aid Loan terms (years): 10, 15 Repayment options: Full deferral, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferral, forbearance Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress. Customer service: Email, phone Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 48 months Loan servicer: American Education Services (AES)
Compare private student loan rates without affecting your credit score. 100% free! Compare Private Loans Now Trustpilot
Lowest APRs reflect autopay, loyalty, and interest-only repayment discounts where available | Read our full methodology | 10Ascent Disclosures | 1Citizens Disclosures | 2,3College Ave Disclosures | 11Custom Choice Disclosures | 7EDvestinU Disclosures | 8INvestEd Disclosures | 9Sallie Mae Disclosures

Student loan cosigner credit score minimum

• Minimum credit score: 670
• Ideal credit score for lower interest rates: 700+

Many students ask a parent to cosign their student loan. But if your parent doesn’t have good credit or isn’t comfortable cosigning, don’t worry — a cosigner can actually be anyone with good credit. For example, you could ask another relative or a trusted friend. Just remember that your cosigner will be on the hook for the loan if you can’t make your payments.

Since a cosigner shares responsibility for the loan, they need to show that they can manage the loan. This includes having good to excellent credit — usually a credit score of at least 670 or higher — as well as reliable income and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

Keep in mind that individual lenders might also have their own requirements for student loan cosigners.

Check out:

• What to Do If You’re Denied a Student Loan With a Cosigner
• What to Do if Your Parent Plus Loan is Denied

What to know about cosigner release

Cosigner release is a process that allows you to remove your cosigner from a loan. If you can  prove to your lender that you’re able to pay the loan on your own, your lender may remove your cosigner, and they’ll no longer share responsibility for paying the loan.

If your potential cosigner knows they won’t be on the hook for the entire life of the loan, they may be more willing to act as a cosigner.

The Credible student loan partner lenders in the table below offer student loans with the possibility of cosigner release.

Lender	Loan terms (years)	Min. credit score	Cosigner release offered?
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	7 to 15 years (depending on loan type)	Does not disclose	Yes, after 12 months
Fixed APR: 4.53%+10 Variable APR: 6.16%+10 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $2,001* to $400,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: 0.25% to 1.00% automatic payment discount, 1% cash back graduation reward Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or DACA student enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program Customer service: Email, phone Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 on-time principal and interest payments Loan servicer: Launch Servicing, LLC
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	5, 10, 15	720	Yes, after 36 months
Fixed APR: 4.99%+1 Variable APR: 6.37%+ Min. credit score: 720 Loan amount: $1,000 to $350,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15 Loan types: Any private or federal student loan Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay, loyalty Eligibility: Available in all 50 states (international students can apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner) Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 36 months Loan servicer: Firstmark Services
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	5, 8, 10, 15	Does not disclose	Yes, after 24 months
Fixed APR: 4.49%+2,3 Variable APR: 5.59%+2,3 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $1,000 up to cost of attendance Loan terms (years): 5, 8, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress. Customer service: Email, phone Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After half of the scheduled repayment term has been completed Loan servicer: College Ave Servicing LLC Learn more about cosigner release requirements. 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.
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	7, 10, 15	Does not disclose	Yes, after 36 months
Fixed APR: 4.43%+ 11 Variable APR: 5.39%+ 11 Loan amount: $1,000 to $99,999 annually ($180,000 aggregate limit)11 Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 1511 Repayment options: Full deferral, immediate repayment, interest-only repayment, flat/full repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay11 Eligibility: Available to borrowers in all 50 states. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Customer service: Phone, email Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 36 months11 Loan servicer: American Education Services Min. income: $1
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	7, 10, 15	750	Yes, after 36 months
Fixed APR: 6.25%+7 Variable APR: 8.13%+7 Min. credit score: 750 Loan amount: $1,000 to $200,000 Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15 Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum income of $30,000. Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 months Loan servicer: Firstmark Services
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	5, 10, 15	670	Yes, after 48 months
Fixed APR: 4.6%+8 Variable APR: 7.64%+8 Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $1,001 up to cost of attendance Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15 Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay, reward for on-time graduation Eligibility: Must be an Indiana resident or a U.S. citizen attending an eligible Indiana school Customer service: Email, phone, chat Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 months Loan servicer: American Education Services
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	15	670	Yes, after 48 months
Fixed APR: 5.35%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $1,500 up to cost of attendance less aid Loan terms (years): 10, 15 Repayment options: Full deferral, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferral, forbearance Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress. Customer service: Email, phone Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 48 months Loan servicer: American Education Services (AES)
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	10 to 20	Does not disclose	Yes, after 12 months
Fixed APR: 4.50%9 - 15.49%9 Variable APR: 6.37%9 - 16.70%9 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance Loan terms (years): 10 to 209 Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee, non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Also available to non-U.S. citizen students (including DACA students) attending a school located in the U.S. who apply with a qualifying cosigner. Customer service: Phone, chat Prequalified rates with a soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: Borrowers can apply after graduation, 12 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments, and meeting certain credit requirements. Loan servicer: Sallie Mae
Compare rates without affecting your credit score. 100% free! Compare Now
Lowest APRs reflect autopay, loyalty, and interest-only repayment discounts where available | Read our full methodology | 10Ascent Disclosures | 1Citizens Disclosures | 2,3College Ave Disclosures | 11Custom Choice Disclosures | 7EDvestinU Disclosures | 8INvestEd Disclosures | 9Sallie Mae Disclosures

How to get a student loan with bad credit

If you have bad credit, in addition to federal student loans and cosigned private loans, you may  have other options.

Some private lenders offer student loans for bad credit. But these loans typically come with higher interest rates compared to good credit loans, which could drive up the overall cost of your loan.

You can find out how much you’ll owe over the life of your federal or private student loans using our student loan calculator below.

How to check your credit score

You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit-reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year.

You can use a site like AnnualCreditReport.com to easily request these reports and review your credit history. If you find any errors in your credit reports, dispute them with the appropriate credit bureaus to potentially boost your score.

However, your credit reports generally don’t include your credit score. You might be able to check your credit score for free through your bank, credit card issuer or a free online service. You can also request your score directly from the credit bureaus.

How to raise your credit score

To get the most competitive rates or increase your chances of being approved for a student loan without a cosigner, here are some tips on how to raise your credit score:

• Get a secured credit card and keep up with monthly payments.
• Monitor your credit history and dispute any mistakes.
• Ask to raise your credit limit if you have an existing credit card.
• Become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card.
• Pay down existing loans on time.

Sarah Li-Cain contributed to the reporting for this article.

About the author

Emily Guy Birken

Emily Guy Birken is a Credible authority on student loans and personal finance. Her work has been featured by Forbes, Kiplinger’s, Huffington Post, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.

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