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.
Current private student loan rates
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 don’t yet have established credit histories.
But if you’d like to take out a Direct PLUS Loan, you must 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
Good to know: You may still qualify for a federal student loan with adverse credit history. You’ll probably have to apply with a cosigner, or submit documentation that the negative mark was caused by extenuating circumstances. You’ll also have to go through PLUS counseling.
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.
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.
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 can 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.
Advertiser Disclosure$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
College Ave offers student loans for almost every type of degree program, with a range of repayment options, including a unique eight-year repayment term. Additionally, you can get extended grace periods of as long as 36 months on graduate, dental, and medical student loans.
About 90% of undergraduates applying with a cosigner are approved for additional student loans. However, you must complete at least half of your repayment term before you can remove a cosigner for your loan. Some lenders allow cosigners to be released much sooner, after as few as one to two years of payments.
pros
- Rate discount of one-quarter of a percentage point for using autopay
- Does not charge origination or application fees
- Grace periods between 9 and 36 months for graduate, MBA, law, dental, and medical school loans and 36 months
cons
- Parents borrowers are required to pay at least the interest while the student is in school
- Cosigners not eligible for release until at least half the repayment term of the loan is completed
Loan terms
5, 8, 10, or 15 years for most borrowers (law, dental, medical, and other health profession students have up to 20 years)
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits depend on your degree and credit profile
Cosigner release
Available after more than half of the scheduled repayment period has elapsed and other requirements are met
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. International students with a Social Security number and a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.
$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)
Overview
Custom Choice is a student loan lender that offers loans between $1,000 and $99,999 per year. Undergraduates and grad students can borrow up to a lifetime limit of $180,000.
You can get a rate discount of 0.25 percentage points if you set up autopay, plus a 2% reduction of your loan principal after graduation. You may apply with a cosigner if you can't qualify on your own, and you can release them from your loan after 36 on-time payments if you meet the requirements.
Custom Choice doesn't charge any fees whatsoever, even late fees. The lender also offers a forbearance program that lets you pause payments if you experience a natural disaster or unemployment.
pros
- Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
- You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
- International students can apply with a qualified cosigner
- Offers parent student loans
cons
- Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
- Long wait time for cosigner release
- Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $99,999 per year (lifetime limit of $180,000)
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. You must also meet Custom Choice’s underwriting criteria for income and credit, or apply with a cosigner who does. Eligible noncitizens such as DACA residents can also qualify by applying with a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance
Overview
INvested is an Indiana company that offers affordable student loans exclusively to state residents. Loans are available to Indiana students and parents who can meet income and credit requirements, or who have an eligible cosigner. Borrowers can borrow as little as $1,001 or as much as the school-certified cost of attendance minus other aid.
INvested provides detailed information on eligibility so borrowers can quickly determine whether to apply for a loan — however, there’s no option to prequalify with a soft credit check. Cosigner release is also available after just 12 on-time payments, considerably shorter than many other lenders.
pros
- Low minimum borrowing limits
- Autopay discount of 0.25 percentage points
- Short cosigner release requirements
- Transparent qualification requirements
cons
- Loans are available only to Indiana residents
- No prequalification option to view your rates
- No loan options for international students
Loan amounts
$1,001 minimum, up to the school certified cost of attendance
Eligibility
Loans are available to Indiana residents only. Borrowers must have a FICO score of 670 or higher, a 30% maximum debt-to-income ratio or minimum monthly income of $3,333, continuous employment over two years, and no major collections or defaults in recent years. Borrowers who do not meet income or credit requirements can apply with a cosigner.
$1,500 up to school’s certified cost of attendance less aid
Overview
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) offers student loans to borrowers with good credit. However, you won't be able to see your potential rate before applying.
The lender doesn't charge any fees and its rates are competitive, though MEFA only offers two repayment terms. You can add a cosigner to your loan if you're unable to qualify, but only one repayment plan allows you to release your cosigner.
pros
- Doesn’t charge any fees
- Low maximum rate compared with some lenders
- Can borrow up to the school-certified cost of attendance
cons
- No discounts for borrowers
- Limited repayment terms
- No prequalification available
Loan amounts
$1,500 minimum up to school-certified cost of attendance
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled at least half time at a degree-granting, nonprofit institution, and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Must have no history of default on an education loan and no history of bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past 60 months. Applicants who can’t meet the minimum credit and income requirements may apply with a cosigner.
$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
Sallie Mae offers the Smart Option Student Loan for undergraduate students and a suite of loans for graduate students. You can borrow up to your school-certified cost of attendance and apply just once annually to get the funds you need for the entire academic year. Plus, applying for a Smart Option Student Loan with a cosigner may help you get a better rate.
Through Sallie Mae, you can find a variety of loans designed for specific needs, including loans for MBA programs, law school, medical school, and health profession programs.
pros
- Can borrow up to school-certified cost of attendance
- No prepayment or origination fees
- Loans available to noncitizens with an eligible cosigner
- Cosigner release after 12 on-time payments
cons
- No parent loan options
- No option to check your rates through prequalification
- Loan terms not disclosed until after you apply
Loan terms
10 to 15 years for the Smart Option Student Loan; 15 years for law school, MBA, and graduate school loans; 20 years for medical school loans
Loan amounts
$1,000 up to school-certified cost of attendance. Student must be listed as the borrower, and a parent may cosign.
Cosigner release
After you graduate, make 12 one-time principal and interest payments, and meet certain credit requirements
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program. Noncitizens residing and attending school in the U.S. may qualify by applying with a creditworthy cosigner, who must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and providing an unexpired government-issued photo ID.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
College Ave offers student loans for almost every type of degree program, with a range of repayment options, including a unique eight-year repayment term. Additionally, you can get extended grace periods of as long as 36 months on graduate, dental, and medical student loans.
About 90% of undergraduates applying with a cosigner are approved for additional student loans. However, you must complete at least half of your repayment term before you can remove a cosigner for your loan. Some lenders allow cosigners to be released much sooner, after as few as one to two years of payments.
pros
- Rate discount of one-quarter of a percentage point for using autopay
- Does not charge origination or application fees
- Grace periods between 9 and 36 months for graduate, MBA, law, dental, and medical school loans and 36 months
cons
- Parents borrowers are required to pay at least the interest while the student is in school
- Cosigners not eligible for release until at least half the repayment term of the loan is completed
Loan terms
5, 8, 10, or 15 years for most borrowers (law, dental, medical, and other health profession students have up to 20 years)
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits depend on your degree and credit profile
Cosigner release
Available after more than half of the scheduled repayment period has elapsed and other requirements are met
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. International students with a Social Security number and a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)
Overview
Custom Choice is a student loan lender that offers loans between $1,000 and $99,999 per year. Undergraduates and grad students can borrow up to a lifetime limit of $180,000.
You can get a rate discount of 0.25 percentage points if you set up autopay, plus a 2% reduction of your loan principal after graduation. You may apply with a cosigner if you can't qualify on your own, and you can release them from your loan after 36 on-time payments if you meet the requirements.
Custom Choice doesn't charge any fees whatsoever, even late fees. The lender also offers a forbearance program that lets you pause payments if you experience a natural disaster or unemployment.
pros
- Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
- You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
- International students can apply with a qualified cosigner
- Offers parent student loans
cons
- Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
- Long wait time for cosigner release
- Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $99,999 per year (lifetime limit of $180,000)
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. You must also meet Custom Choice’s underwriting criteria for income and credit, or apply with a cosigner who does. Eligible noncitizens such as DACA residents can also qualify by applying with a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Loan Amounts
$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance
Overview
INvested is an Indiana company that offers affordable student loans exclusively to state residents. Loans are available to Indiana students and parents who can meet income and credit requirements, or who have an eligible cosigner. Borrowers can borrow as little as $1,001 or as much as the school-certified cost of attendance minus other aid.
INvested provides detailed information on eligibility so borrowers can quickly determine whether to apply for a loan — however, there’s no option to prequalify with a soft credit check. Cosigner release is also available after just 12 on-time payments, considerably shorter than many other lenders.
pros
- Low minimum borrowing limits
- Autopay discount of 0.25 percentage points
- Short cosigner release requirements
- Transparent qualification requirements
cons
- Loans are available only to Indiana residents
- No prequalification option to view your rates
- No loan options for international students
Loan amounts
$1,001 minimum, up to the school certified cost of attendance
Eligibility
Loans are available to Indiana residents only. Borrowers must have a FICO score of 670 or higher, a 30% maximum debt-to-income ratio or minimum monthly income of $3,333, continuous employment over two years, and no major collections or defaults in recent years. Borrowers who do not meet income or credit requirements can apply with a cosigner.
Loan Amounts
$1,500 up to school’s certified cost of attendance less aid
Overview
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) offers student loans to borrowers with good credit. However, you won't be able to see your potential rate before applying.
The lender doesn't charge any fees and its rates are competitive, though MEFA only offers two repayment terms. You can add a cosigner to your loan if you're unable to qualify, but only one repayment plan allows you to release your cosigner.
pros
- Doesn’t charge any fees
- Low maximum rate compared with some lenders
- Can borrow up to the school-certified cost of attendance
cons
- No discounts for borrowers
- Limited repayment terms
- No prequalification available
Loan amounts
$1,500 minimum up to school-certified cost of attendance
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled at least half time at a degree-granting, nonprofit institution, and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Must have no history of default on an education loan and no history of bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past 60 months. Applicants who can’t meet the minimum credit and income requirements may apply with a cosigner.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
Sallie Mae offers the Smart Option Student Loan for undergraduate students and a suite of loans for graduate students. You can borrow up to your school-certified cost of attendance and apply just once annually to get the funds you need for the entire academic year. Plus, applying for a Smart Option Student Loan with a cosigner may help you get a better rate.
Through Sallie Mae, you can find a variety of loans designed for specific needs, including loans for MBA programs, law school, medical school, and health profession programs.
pros
- Can borrow up to school-certified cost of attendance
- No prepayment or origination fees
- Loans available to noncitizens with an eligible cosigner
- Cosigner release after 12 on-time payments
cons
- No parent loan options
- No option to check your rates through prequalification
- Loan terms not disclosed until after you apply
Loan terms
10 to 15 years for the Smart Option Student Loan; 15 years for law school, MBA, and graduate school loans; 20 years for medical school loans
Loan amounts
$1,000 up to school-certified cost of attendance. Student must be listed as the borrower, and a parent may cosign.
Cosigner release
After you graduate, make 12 one-time principal and interest payments, and meet certain credit requirements
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program. Noncitizens residing and attending school in the U.S. may qualify by applying with a creditworthy cosigner, who must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and providing an unexpired government-issued photo ID.
How to get a student loan with bad credit
If you have bad credit, you may have other options besides federal student loans and cosigned private loans.
Some private lenders offer student loans for bad credit. But, these loans typically come with higher interest rates than good credit loans, which could drive up the overall cost of your loan.
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 Credible's free credit monitoring tool to request these reports and review your credit history easily. 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 can 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.
Tip:
It’s a good idea to monitor your credit score regularly. This way, you can keep an eye on any changes and look out for errors or fraud.
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.
Meet the expert:
Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken is an authority on student loans and personal finance. Her work has been featured by MSN Money and MarketWatch.
