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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.
| 540 | $2,001 - $200,000 |
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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.
| 670 | $1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance |
|
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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.
| 670 | $1,500 or $2,000 up to school’s certified cost of attendance |
|
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your credit score. 100% free! |
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Lowest APRs reflect autopay, loyalty, and interest-only repayment discounts where available | 1Citizens Disclosures | 2,3College Ave Disclosures | 7EDvestinU Disclosures | 8INvestEd Disclosures | 9Sallie Mae Disclosures |
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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 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.
| 7 to 15 years (depending on loan type) | 540 | Yes, after 24 months |
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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.
| 5, 10, 15 | 720 | Yes, after 36 months |
|
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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.
| 5, 8, 10, 15 | Does not disclose | Yes, after 24 months |
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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.
| 7, 10, 15 | Does not disclose | Yes, after 36 months |
|
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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.
| 7, 10, 15 | 750 | Yes, after 36 months |
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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.
| 5, 10, 15 | 670 | Yes, after 48 months |
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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.
| 15 | 670 | Yes, after 48 months |
|
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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.
| 10, 15 | Does not disclose | Yes, after 12 months |
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your credit score. 100% free! Compare Now |
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Lowest APRs reflect autopay, loyalty, and interest-only repayment discounts where available | 1Citizens Disclosures | 2,3College Ave Disclosures | 7EDvestinU Disclosures | 8INvestEd Disclosures | 9Sallie Mae Disclosures |
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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.
Enter your loan information to calculate how much you could pay
With a $ loan, you will pay $ monthly and a total of $ in interest over the life of your loan. You will pay a total of $ over the life of the loan, assuming you're making full payments while in school.
Need a student loan?
Compare rates without affecting your credit score. 100% free!
Checking rates won’t affect your credit score.
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.
See Your Rates
Checking rates will not affect your credit
Sarah Li-Cain contributed to the reporting for this article.
