Best Student Loans Without a Cosigner of 2025

Student loan borrowers can use federal and private student loans to pay for college. Federal loans are ideal thanks to their many benefits, but they don’t always cover everything. Private student loans can help fill the shortage, but they sometimes require a cosigner with excellent credit. 

If getting a cosigner isn't a possibility for you, there are some private lenders that offer student loans without a cosigner. While these loans can be a good option, they may be costly and there are pros and cons to consider. Read on to find the best student loans without a cosigner.

Current private student loan rates

10 best student loans without a cosigner

Why you can trust our Credible experts

The Credible editorial team is independent and unbiased. Partners do not influence our editorial content. To help you find the best student loan for your situation, we conduct thorough research and analyze thousands of lender data points. Using data-driven methodologies, we score criteria that are important to you. This allows us to objectively rank student loan lenders and products. To learn more, read our methodology below.

Methodology

To determine the best student loan lenders for borrowers without a cosigner, Credible collected more than 1,000 points of data on two dozen companies and evaluated them on several different categories: repayment options, eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings. Below are the weightings assigned to the general categories for the best student loan companies — which comprise individual criteria that are also weighted.

• Repayment options: 30%
• Eligibility: 25%
• Interest rates: 20%
• Loan terms: 15%
• Customer support: 10%

While the best lender for you will depend on your unique needs and financial circumstances, these findings should help answer your questions and assist you in your search for the best student loan.

Learn more about our methodology.

Private vs. federal student loans

It's possible to get both federal and private student loans without a cosigner, though these loans have some differences.

Federal student loans

Federal student loans are issued by the Department of Education. These loans offer several distinct benefits, including low, fixed interest rates and the ability to choose from several flexible repayment plans. In addition, they offer generous deferment and forbearance options, access to student loan forgiveness, and most loans don't require a credit check.

• Direct Subsidized Loans offer the unique benefit of the government covering interest while you're in school, during your grace period, and during other periods of deferment. However, these loans are only available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. These loans have annual and aggregate limits.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students regardless of financial need. Unsubsidized loans start accruing interest as soon as they're disbursed, and you're responsible for all interest charges. Like subsidized loans, these loans have annual and aggregate limits.
• Direct PLUS Loans come in 2 forms: parent PLUS loans and grad PLUS loans. Unlike Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, these loans allow you to borrow up to the school-certified cost of attendance, minus any other aid received. On the downside, Direct PLUS Loans require a credit check, and they have higher interest rates than other federal loans.

Private student loans

After maxing out the total amount of federal loans available to you, consider private student loans to fill in any funding gaps. Private student loans don't have as many advantages for borrowers and typically have stricter eligibility requirements.

Private lenders evaluate your credit history when determining your eligibility. Undergraduate students or international students may have a limited credit history, making it difficult to qualify. That's where a cosigner comes in. Cosigners use their good credit to help you get approved for the loan — but they are also liable for the debt if the loan is delinquent.

Not all borrowers have access to someone who fits the bill to be a cosigner, or someone that can take on such a responsibility. In that case, borrowers can consider private student loans without a cosigner. However, you must prove you're a reliable candidate who can handle the loans on your own.

Do I need a cosigner for a student loan?

If you're applying for federal student loans, you don't need a cosigner. Private student loans work a little bit differently. Private student loan approval is typically based on your credit. For young borrowers with low or no credit, this can be prohibitive. Cosigners can change this outcome, but not everyone is capable or willing to take on the role of cosigner.

A cosigner is someone with good credit who agrees to take on the legal liability for the loan in the case of nonpayment (usually a parent or family member). A cosigner with a strong credit profile can help you qualify for private student loans and get the best rates. If you're unable to get a cosigner, there are some private lenders that offer student loans without a cosigner.

Your credit score plays a large part in the interest rate you'll pay on a private student loan without a cosigner. In some cases, rates for borrowers on the lower end of the credit score spectrum could pay rates that are almost double what those on the higher end might pay.

Tips to get student loans without a cosigner

Even though private student loans without a cosigner exist, you still need to qualify for them. Lending involves risk, and lenders set the parameters for qualifying and ultimately approve or deny you as a borrower. To increase your approval odds, here are tips to get student loans without a cosigner:

• Focus on improving your credit: Private student loans take your credit score into consideration, unlike federal loans. Before applying, double-check your credit report for errors, and review your credit score online or with your bank to see where you stand. Practice good credit habits, such as making on-time payments and limiting how much you borrow.
• Make sure your income is stable: Without a cosigner, you must prove that you have the financial means to qualify on your own and that you can reasonably pay back the loans. This may be through a job, side hustle, freelance gig, or family support. You may need to provide financial documents to show proof of income, including W-2s, tax returns, and bank statements.
• Show academic excellence: Some lenders may have academic requirements to qualify for student loans without a cosigner. Focusing on academic excellence and improving your GPA may help.

Pros and cons of no-cosigner student loans

If you're unable to use a qualified cosigner to apply for private student loans, accessing no-cosigner loans is ideal. However, it's a major responsibility, so consider the pros and cons:

Pros

• Accessibility: Private loans without a cosigner offer student loan borrowers more accessibility. You're not locked out of the game simply because you don't have a parent, friend, or spouse willing to take on the responsibility of being a cosigner.
• Choice: Federal loans come from the federal government. Private loans without a cosigner are offered by multiple lenders. As you're the only borrower and have no one else to consider in the equation, you have the luxury of choice, so you can find the best student loans without a cosigner.
• Funding: There are high stakes when you need to pay for tuition costs and fees. To continue your education without any lapses, private student loans without a cosigner can get you the funding you need.

Cons

• Higher interest rates: The flip side of accessing student loans without a cosigner is that you'll typically pay for it with higher interest rates. This increases the total cost of borrowing and how much you pay over the life of the loan.
• Loan amount: Applying on your own without a cosigner could mean a lower loan amount than what you'd qualify for with a cosigner who has strong credit.
• Eligibility requirements: Each private loan lender has different eligibility requirements. To qualify without a cosigner, you need to meet all of their specifications on your own.