{"id":59070,"date":"2022-02-02T10:53:05","date_gmt":"2022-02-02T18:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/?p=59070"},"modified":"2022-10-31T12:36:07","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T19:36:07","slug":"8-steps-if-your-parents-wont-help-pay-for-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While many college students rely on their parents to help them pay for their education, not every parent is able to provide financial contributions toward school. However, dependent students will still need some important financial information from their parents to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) \u2014 the form used to apply for federal student aid.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a dependent student and your parents can\u2019t pay for your education or won\u2019t help you complete the FAFSA, don\u2019t worry. There are other options that could help you cover your education costs without your parents\u2019 support.<\/p>\n<p><b>If you\u2019re wondering how to pay for college without parents, follow these eight steps:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#choose-a-college\">Choose the right type of college for you<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#fill-out-fafsa\">Fill out the FAFSA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#scholarships-and-grants\">Apply for scholarships and grants<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#fed-student-loans\">Take out federal student loans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#find-a-job\">Find an income source that works with your schedule<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#private-student-loans\">Consider taking out private student loans to fill the gaps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#tuition-assistance-programs\">Research tuition assistance programs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#tax-credits\">See if tax credits could help<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a name=\"choose-a-college\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>1. Choose the right type of college for you<\/h2>\n<p>Your overall education cost will vary depending on the type of school you choose as well as your program. Understanding how much you\u2019ll generally pay for various schools can help you decide which kind is best suited to your goals and financial needs.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the main school categories you\u2019ll come across as well as their average costs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Certificate program: <\/b>$20,031 per year for in-state students; $29,226 per year for out-of-state students<\/li>\n<li><b>Trade school: <\/b>$33,000 (total)<\/li>\n<li><b>Public community college:<\/b> $10,300 per year<\/li>\n<li><b>Public university :<\/b> $25,487 per year for in-state students and $43,161 for per year for out-of-state students<\/li>\n<li><b>Private university (nonprofit):<\/b> $53,217 per year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-873\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-873 table table-border-top table-rounded table-no-img-margin table-capitalized-column-titles\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Type of school<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>Typical program length<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-3\"><strong>Average tuition per year<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-4\"><strong>Average cost of attendance per year<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Certificate program<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">6 months to 1 year<br \/>\n<small>(depending on program)<\/small><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><ul><li><b>In state:<\/b> $5,517<\/li><li><b>Out of state:<\/b> $14,712<\/li><\/ul><small>(for 1-year program)<\/small><\/td><td class=\"column-4\"><ul><li><b>In state:<\/b> $20,031<\/li><li><b>Out of state:<\/b> $29,226<\/li><\/ul><small>(for 1 year-program)<\/small><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Trade school<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">3 months to 1 year<br \/>\n<small>(depending on program)<\/small><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">$3,600 to $14,500<br \/>\n<small>(depending on school)<\/small><\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$33,000<br \/>\n<small>(total)<\/small><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Public community college<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2 years<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><ul><li><b>In state:<\/b> $3,400<\/li><li><b>Out of state:<\/b> $8,210<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$10,300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Public university<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">4 years<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><ul><li><b>In state:<\/b> $9,349<\/li><li><b>Out of state:<\/b> $27,023<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td class=\"column-4\"><ul><li><b>In state:<\/b> $25,487<\/li><li><b>Out of state:<\/b> $43,161<\/li><\/ul><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Private university <small>(nonprofit)<\/small><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">4 years<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">$35,807<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$53,217<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Keep in mind: <\/b>If you need to borrow money to cover your education costs, the college you choose will also affect how much debt you leave school with. Consider using a student loan calculator to see how different borrowing amounts can impact your total repayment costs.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>You can see what your estimated monthly payment on a student loan will be using our student loan calculator below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"calculator loan\">\n<div class=\"inputs container\">\n\n\t<p>Enter your loan information<span class=\"hidden-md-up\"> to calculate how much you could pay<\/span><\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"row form-groups\">\n  <div class=\"col-xs-8 col-lg\">\n    <div class=\"form-group\">\n  \t\t<label for=\"loan-amount\">Loan amount<\/label>\n  \t\t<span class=\"badge badge-pill\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n  \t\t\t?\t<span class=\"tip \">\n\t\t<span class=\"tip-content\">Enter the total amount borrowed<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t  \t\t<\/span>\n  \t\t<span class=\"input-group loan-amount\">\n  \t\t\t<span class=\"input-group-addon\">$<\/span>\n  \t\t\t<input type=\"number\" value=\"20000\" step=\"1000\" name=\"loan-amount\" id=\"loan-amount\" aria-label=\"Loan amount\" class=\"form-control\" inputmode=\"numeric\" pattern=\"[0-9]*\">\n  \t\t<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"col-xs-6 col-lg\">\n    <div class=\"form-group\">\n  \t\t<label for=\"interest-rate\">Interest rate<\/label>\n  \t\t<span class=\"badge badge-pill\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n  \t\t\t?\t<span class=\"tip \">\n\t\t<span class=\"tip-content\">Enter your annual interest rate<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t  \t\t<\/span>\n  \t\t<span class=\"input-group interest-rate\">\n  \t\t\t<input type=\"number\" value=\"4\" step=\".01\" min=\".01\" max=\"100\" name=\"interest-rate\" id=\"interest-rate\" aria-label=\"Interest rate\" class=\"form-control\">\n  \t\t\t<span class=\"input-group-addon\">%<\/span>\n  \t\t<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\t\t<span class=\"between\">or<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"col-xs-6 col-lg\">\n    <div class=\"form-group\">\n  \t\t<label for=\"loan-term\">Loan term<\/label>\n  \t\t<span class=\"badge badge-pill\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n  \t\t\t?\t<span class=\"tip \">\n\t\t<span class=\"tip-content\">Enter the amount of time you have to repay your loan<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t  \t\t<\/span>\n  \t\t<span class=\"input-group loan-term\">\n  \t\t\t<input name=\"loan-term\" value=\"10\" step=\"1\" min=\"1\" max=\"50\" id=\"loan-term\" aria-label=\"Loan term\" type=\"number\" class=\"form-control\" inputmode=\"numeric\" pattern=\"[0-9]*\">\n  \t\t\t<span class=\"input-group-addon\">years<\/span>\n  \t\t<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"outputs container\">\n\n  <div class=\"results row\">\n  <div class=\"col-xs-6 col-sm-4 col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n  \tTotal Payment\n  \t<big>$<span class=\"total-payment\"><\/span><\/big>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"col-xs-6 col-sm-4 col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n  \tTotal Interest\n  \t<big>$<span class=\"total-interest\"><\/span><\/big>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-4 col-md-12 col-lg-4\">\n  \tMonthly Payment\n  \t<big>$<span class=\"monthly-payment\"><\/span><\/big>\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p class=\"results-sentence\">\n    With a\n    <strong>$<span class=\"output-loan-amount\"><\/span><\/strong>\n        loan, you will pay\n    <strong>$<span class=\"monthly-payment\"><\/span><\/strong>\n    monthly and a total of\n    <strong>$<span class=\"total-interest\"><\/span><\/strong>\n    in interest over the life of your loan. You will pay a total of\n    <strong>$<span class=\"total-payment\"><\/span><\/strong>\n    over the life of the\n    loan, assuming you're making full payments while in school.\n  <\/p>\n\n  \n  <div class=\"cta\">\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><a name=\"fill-out-fafsa\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>2. Fill out the FAFSA<\/h2>\n<p>If you need to pay for college, your first step should be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/applying-for-fafsa\/\">filling out the FAFSA<\/a>. Your school will use your FAFSA information to determine what federal student loans and other federal financial aid you qualify for.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"accent--isGreen list--iconArrow\">\n<li><b><i><a href=\"#fafsa-without-parental-assistance\">If your parents can\u2019t or won\u2019t fill out the FAFSA, here\u2019s what to do.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To complete the FAFSA, you\u2019ll need to:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Set up an FSA ID.<\/b> Creating a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID will let you sign the FAFSA electronically. To set this up, you\u2019ll need your Social Security number, mobile phone number, and email address. If you\u2019re a dependent student, your parent will also need to create an FSA ID of their own.<\/li>\n<li><b>Gather your documents.<\/b> The FAFSA requires your personal and financial information \u2014 such as your Social Security number and most recent tax return \u2014 as well as each school you\u2019d like to receive your results. Dependent students will also need to provide their parent\u2019s financial information.<\/li>\n<li><b>Fill out the FAFSA. <\/b>You can complete the FAFSA at <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/h\/apply-for-aid\/fafsa\">StudentAid.gov<\/a>. Once you\u2019ve finished, sign and submit the form. Your information will then be sent to the schools you listed in your FAFSA.<\/li>\n<li><b>Get your financial aid award letter. <\/b>Your school will send you a financial aid award letter detailing what federal student loans and other federal financial aid you qualify for. You can then choose which aid you\u2019d like to accept.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Tip: <\/b>Be sure to fill out the FAFSA before the deadline. For the 2023-2024 academic year, you have until June 30, 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that some aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis \u2014 so it\u2019s a good idea to complete the FAFSA as early as possible, especially if you have high financial need.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><b><i>Learn More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/return-on-investment-by-university\/\"><b><i>Colleges With the Best Return on Investment<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"scholarships-and-grants\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>3. Apply for scholarships and grants<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike student loans, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/college-scholarships\/\">college scholarships<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/college-grants\/\">grants<\/a> don\u2019t have to be repaid \u2014 which makes them a great way to pay for school. There\u2019s no limit to how many scholarships and grants you can get, so it\u2019s a good idea to apply for as many as you can.<\/p>\n<p>Some organizations that might offer scholarships and grants include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nonprofit organizations<\/li>\n<li>Local and national businesses<\/li>\n<li>Professional associations in your field<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You could also qualify for school-based scholarships depending on your FAFSA results.<\/p>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Tip: <\/b>Some scholarships can be particularly competitive. While there\u2019s no harm in pursuing these kinds of awards, it\u2019s also wise to apply for scholarships that you have a good chance of getting. For example, there are scholarships for students who:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Have a higher-than-average GPA<\/li>\n<li>Show merit in a specific educational area<\/li>\n<li>Are a certain ethnicity<\/li>\n<li>Have extreme financial need<\/li>\n<li>Plan to enter a specific program<\/li>\n<li>Have participated in volunteer work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The more specific the scholarship is, the greater your chance of being selected if you meet the requirements.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><b><i>Check Out: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/pay-for-college\/\"><b><i>How to Pay for College<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"fed-student-loans\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>4. Take out federal student loans<\/h2>\n<p>If you need to borrow for school, it\u2019s usually best to start with federal student loans since they come with federal benefits and protections \u2014 such as access to income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the three main types of federal student loans:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Direct Subsidized Loans<\/b> are available to undergraduate students with financial need. The government pays for the interest on these loans while you\u2019re in school.<\/li>\n<li><b>Direct Unsubsidized Loans<\/b> are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, regardless of financial need. Unlike with subsidized loans, you\u2019re responsible for all of the interest that accrues on unsubsidized loans.<\/li>\n<li><b>Direct PLUS Loans<\/b> come in two categories: Grad PLUS Loans for students who want to pay for grad school and Parent PLUS Loans for parents who want to cover their child\u2019s education costs. PLUS Loans usually come with higher interest rates than other federal loans. They also require a credit check.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Tip: <\/b>To apply for federal student loans, you\u2019ll have to fill out the FAFSA. Your school will then send you a financial aid award letter where you can see the loans you qualify for and choose which ones to accept.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><b><i>Learn More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/listing-one-college-fafsa\/\"><b><i>Every College You Might be Interested in Should be on Your FAFSA<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"find-a-job\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>5. Find an income source that works with your schedule<\/h2>\n<p>Another option to consider is finding a job that suits your school schedule and still allows you enough time to focus on your studies. For example, depending on your FAFSA information, you might be eligible to participate in the federal work-study program, which provides part-time jobs to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need.<\/p>\n<p>Work-study jobs are typically located on campus. In other cases, you might work for a nonprofit organization or for-profit company that has partnered with your school.<\/p>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Tip:<\/b> If you aren\u2019t eligible for work-study, it could be a good idea to choose a job that lets you choose your own hours. This way, you can create your schedule around your classes and homework. For example, you might consider delivering food with a company like DoorDash or driving for a rideshare company like Uber.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, you might be able to manage a full-time job \u2014 but be sure that your employer understands your scheduling needs so you can focus on your education.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><b><i>Check Out: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/best-jobs-for-college\/\"><b><i>8 Part-Time Job Ideas for College Students<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"private-student-loans\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>6. Consider taking out private student loans to fill the gaps<\/h2>\n<p>After you\u2019ve exhausted your scholarship, grant, and federal student loan options and looked into job opportunities, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/student-loans\">private student loans<\/a> could help fill any financial gaps left over. Note that these loans don\u2019t come with federal protections. However, they do offer some benefits of their own \u2014 for example, you can apply at any time, and you might get more than you would with a federal loan.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll typically need good to excellent credit to qualify for a private student loan. A good credit score is usually considered to be 700 or higher. There are also some lenders that offer student loans for bad credit, but these loans tend to have higher interest rates than good credit loans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Tip:<\/b> If you\u2019re struggling to get approved, consider applying with a creditworthy cosigner to improve your chances. Even if you don\u2019t need a cosigner to qualify, having one might get you a lower interest rate than you\u2019d get on your own.<\/p>\n<p>A cosigner can be anyone with good credit (such as a parent, another relative, or a trusted friend) who is willing to share responsibility for the loan. Just keep in mind that this means they\u2019ll be on the hook if you can\u2019t make your payments.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>If you decide to take out a private student loan, be sure to shop around and consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for your needs. Credible makes this easy \u2014 you can compare your prequalified rates from our partner lenders in the table below in just two minutes.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-874\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-874 table table-border-top table-rounded table-no-img-margin table-capitalized-column-titles table-align-center tbody-has-connected-cells\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Lender<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Fixed rates from (APR)<br \/>\n<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Variable rates from (APR)<\/th><th class=\"column-4\">Loan amounts<\/th><th class=\"column-5\">Loan terms (years)<\/th><th class=\"column-6\">Min. credit score<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><br \/>\n<br \/>\n        <div class=\"tablepress-rating-shortcode\">\n            <div class=\"heading__container\">\n                <span class=\"heading\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/lenders\/ascent\/\">Credible Rating<\/a>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                    <div class=\"even\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon-help\" alt=\"Question mark icon to show more information\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/icon-help-dark.svg\">\n                        <span class=\"tip\">\n                            <span class=\"tip-content\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/credible-rating-lender-methodology\/\">Read our full methodology.<\/a><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"star-rating__container\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 star rating\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A three-quarter star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-three-quarter.svg\">\n                    <\/div>\n            <div class=\"details-link\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"collapsed\" data-target=\"#ascent-psl\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" role=\"button\">View details<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/td><td class=\"column-2\">  <span>\n    2.69%+<sup>10<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">  <span>\n    3.68%+<sup>10<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$2,001* to $400,000<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">Does not disclose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\">            <div id=\"ascent-psl\" class=\"collapse tablepress-lender-details__container\">\n                <ul>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fixed APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    2.69%+<sup>10<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Variable APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    3.68%+<sup>10<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Min. credit score:<\/span>\n                                Does not disclose<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan amount:<\/span>\n                                $2,001* to $400,000 <\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan terms (years):<\/span>\n                                5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Repayment options:<\/span>\n                                Full deferral, fixed\/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fees:<\/span>\n                                None<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Discounts:<\/span>\n                                0.25% to 1.00% automatic payment discount, 1% cash back graduation reward<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Eligibility:<\/span>\n                                Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or DACA student enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Customer service:<\/span>\n                                Email, phone<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Prequalified rates with a soft credit check:<\/span>\n                                Yes<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Cosigner release:<\/span>\n                                After 12 on-time principal and interest payments<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan servicer:<\/span>\n                                Launch Servicing, LLC<\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><br \/>\n<br \/>\n        <div class=\"tablepress-rating-shortcode\">\n            <div class=\"heading__container\">\n                <span class=\"heading\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/lenders\/citizens-bank\/#citizens-bank-private-student-loans\">Credible Rating<\/a>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                    <div class=\"even\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon-help\" alt=\"Question mark icon to show more information\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/icon-help-dark.svg\">\n                        <span class=\"tip\">\n                            <span class=\"tip-content\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/credible-rating-lender-methodology\/\">Read our full methodology.<\/a><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"star-rating__container\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 star rating\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A three-quarter star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-three-quarter.svg\">\n                    <\/div>\n            <div class=\"details-link\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"collapsed\" data-target=\"#citizens-bank-psl\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" role=\"button\">View details<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/td><td class=\"column-2\">  <span>\n    3.24%+<sup>1<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">  <span>\n    4.99%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$1,000 to $350,000 <small>(depending on degree)<\/small><\/td><td class=\"column-5\">5, 10, 15<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">720<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\">            <div id=\"citizens-bank-psl\" class=\"collapse tablepress-lender-details__container\">\n                <ul>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fixed APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    3.24%+<sup>1<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Variable APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    4.99%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Min. credit score:<\/span>\n                                720<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan amount:<\/span>\n                                $1,000 to $350,000<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan terms (years):<\/span>\n                                5, 10, 15<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan types:<\/span>\n                                Any private or federal student loan<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Repayment options:<\/span>\n                                Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fees:<\/span>\n                                Late fee<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Discounts:<\/span>\n                                Autopay, loyalty<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Eligibility:<\/span>\n                                Available in all 50 states (international students can apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner)<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Customer service:<\/span>\n                                Email, phone, chat<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Soft credit check:<\/span>\n                                Yes<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Cosigner release:<\/span>\n                                After 36 months<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan servicer:<\/span>\n                                Firstmark Services<\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><br \/>\n<br \/>\n        <div class=\"tablepress-rating-shortcode\">\n            <div class=\"heading__container\">\n                <span class=\"heading\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/lenders\/college-ave\/#college-ave-private-student-loans\">Credible Rating<\/a>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                    <div class=\"even\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon-help\" alt=\"Question mark icon to show more information\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/icon-help-dark.svg\">\n                        <span class=\"tip\">\n                            <span class=\"tip-content\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/credible-rating-lender-methodology\/\">Read our full methodology.<\/a><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"star-rating__container\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 star rating\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A three-quarter star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-three-quarter.svg\">\n                    <\/div>\n            <div class=\"details-link\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"collapsed\" data-target=\"#college-ave-psl\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" role=\"button\">View details<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/td><td class=\"column-2\">  <span>\n    2.84%+<sup>2,3<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">  <span>\n    3.89%+<sup>2,3<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">5, 8, 10, 15, 20<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">Does not disclose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\">            <div id=\"college-ave-psl\" class=\"collapse tablepress-lender-details__container\">\n                <ul>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fixed APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    2.84%+<sup>2,3<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Variable APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    3.89%+<sup>2,3<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Min. credit score:<\/span>\n                                Does not disclose<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan amount:<\/span>\n                                $1,000 up to cost of attendance<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan terms (years):<\/span>\n                                5, 8, 10, 15, 20<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Repayment options:<\/span>\n                                Full deferral, full monthly payment, fixed\/flat repayment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fees:<\/span>\n                                Late fee<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Discounts:<\/span>\n                                Autopay<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Eligibility:<\/span>\n                                Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Customer service:<\/span>\n                                Email, phone<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Prequalified rates with a soft credit check:<\/span>\n                                Yes<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Cosigner release:<\/span>\n                                After half of the scheduled repayment term has been completed<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan servicer:<\/span>\n                                College Ave Servicing LLC\r\n<p><i><sup>Learn more about<a href=\"https:\/\/help.collegeavestudentloans.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/5560603133079-Can-a-cosigner-be-released-from-a-loan-\"> cosigner release requirements.<\/a> 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.<\/p><\/i><\/sup><\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><br \/>\n<br \/>\n        <div class=\"tablepress-rating-shortcode\">\n            <div class=\"heading__container\">\n                <span class=\"heading\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/lenders\/custom-choice\/\">Credible Rating<\/a>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                    <div class=\"even\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon-help\" alt=\"Question mark icon to show more information\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/icon-help-dark.svg\">\n                        <span class=\"tip\">\n                            <span class=\"tip-content\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/credible-rating-lender-methodology\/\">Read our full methodology.<\/a><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"star-rating__container\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 star rating\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A half star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-half.svg\">\n                    <\/div>\n            <div class=\"details-link\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"collapsed\" data-target=\"#custom-choice-psl\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" role=\"button\">View details<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/td><td class=\"column-2\">  <span>\n    3.35%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">  <span>\n    3.5%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$1,000 to $99,999 annually <br \/>\n<small>($180,000 aggregate limit)<\/small><\/td><td class=\"column-5\">7, 10, 15<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">Does not disclose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\">            <div id=\"custom-choice-psl\" class=\"collapse tablepress-lender-details__container\">\n                <ul>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fixed APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    3.35%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/a\/cogfin-disclosures\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Variable APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    3.5%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/a\/cogfin-disclosures\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan amount:<\/span>\n                                $1,000 to $99,999 annually\r\n<small>($180,000 aggregate limit)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/a\/cogfin-disclosures\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/small><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan terms (years):<\/span>\n                                7, 10, 15<a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/a\/cogfin-disclosures\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Repayment options:<\/span>\n                                Full deferral, immediate repayment, interest-only repayment, flat\/full repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fees:<\/span>\n                                None<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Discounts:<\/span>\n                                Autopay<a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/a\/cogfin-disclosures\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Eligibility:<\/span>\n                                Available to borrowers in all 50 states. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Customer service:<\/span>\n                                Phone, email<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Prequalified rates with a soft credit check:<\/span>\n                                Yes<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Cosigner release:<\/span>\n                                After 36 months<a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/a\/cogfin-disclosures\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan servicer:<\/span>\n                                American Education Services<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Min. income:<\/span>\n                                $1<\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><br \/>\n<br \/>\n        <div class=\"tablepress-rating-shortcode\">\n            <div class=\"heading__container\">\n                <span class=\"heading\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/lenders\/invested\/#invested-private-student-loans\">Credible Rating<\/a>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                    <div class=\"even\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon-help\" alt=\"Question mark icon to show more information\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/icon-help-dark.svg\">\n                        <span class=\"tip\">\n                            <span class=\"tip-content\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/credible-rating-lender-methodology\/\">Read our full methodology.<\/a><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"star-rating__container\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 star rating\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A half star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-half.svg\">\n                    <\/div>\n            <div class=\"details-link\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"collapsed\" data-target=\"#invested-psl\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" role=\"button\">View details<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/td><td class=\"column-2\">  <span>\n    4.5%+<sup>8<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">  <span>\n    6.47%+<sup>8<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">5, 10, 15<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">670<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\">            <div id=\"invested-psl\" class=\"collapse tablepress-lender-details__container\">\n                <ul>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fixed APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    4.5%+<sup>8<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Variable APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    6.47%+<sup>8<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Min. credit score:<\/span>\n                                670<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan amount:<\/span>\n                                $1,001 up to cost of attendance<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan terms (years):<\/span>\n                                5, 10, 15<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Repayment options:<\/span>\n                                Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fees:<\/span>\n                                Late fee<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Discounts:<\/span>\n                                Autopay, reward for on-time graduation<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Eligibility:<\/span>\n                                Must be an Indiana resident or a U.S. citizen attending an eligible Indiana school<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Customer service:<\/span>\n                                Email, phone, chat<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Prequalified rates with a soft credit check:<\/span>\n                                Yes<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Cosigner release:<\/span>\n                                After 12 months<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan servicer:<\/span>\n                                American Education Services<\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><br \/>\n<br \/>\n        <div class=\"tablepress-rating-shortcode\">\n            <div class=\"heading__container\">\n                <span class=\"heading\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/lenders\/mefa\/#mefa-private-student-loans\">Credible Rating<\/a>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                    <div class=\"even\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon-help\" alt=\"Question mark icon to show more information\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/icon-help-dark.svg\">\n                        <span class=\"tip\">\n                            <span class=\"tip-content\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/credible-rating-lender-methodology\/\">Read our full methodology.<\/a><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"star-rating__container\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 star rating\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A half star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-half.svg\">\n                    <\/div>\n            <div class=\"details-link\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"collapsed\" data-target=\"#mefa-psl\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" role=\"button\">View details<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/td><td class=\"column-2\">  <span>\n    3.29%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">N\/A<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$1,500 up to school\u2019s certified cost of attendance less aid<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">10, 15<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">670<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\">            <div id=\"mefa-psl\" class=\"collapse tablepress-lender-details__container\">\n                <ul>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fixed APR:<\/span>\n                                  <span>\n    3.29%+<sup><\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Variable APR:<\/span>\n                                N\/A<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Min. credit score:<\/span>\n                                670<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan amount:<\/span>\n                                $1,500 up to cost of attendance less aid<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan terms (years):<\/span>\n                                10, 15<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Repayment options:<\/span>\n                                Full deferral, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferral, forbearance<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fees:<\/span>\n                                None<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Discounts:<\/span>\n                                None<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Eligibility:<\/span>\n                                Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Customer service:<\/span>\n                                Email, phone<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Prequalified rates with a soft credit check:<\/span>\n                                Yes<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Cosigner release:<\/span>\n                                After 48 months<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan servicer:<\/span>\n                                American Education Services (AES)<\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-14\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><center><br \/>\n<br \/>\n        <div class=\"tablepress-rating-shortcode\">\n            <div class=\"heading__container\">\n                <span class=\"heading\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/lenders\/sallie-mae\/\">Credible Rating<\/a>\n                                    <\/span>\n                                    <div class=\"even\" data-toggle=\"tip\" data-placement=\"top left\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon-help\" alt=\"Question mark icon to show more information\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/icon-help-dark.svg\">\n                        <span class=\"tip\">\n                            <span class=\"tip-content\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/credible-rating-lender-methodology\/\">Read our full methodology.<\/a><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"tip-arrow\"><\/span>\n                        <\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"star-rating__container\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"4 star rating\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A full star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-full.svg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"star-light\" alt=\"A one-quarter star\" src=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/credible\/assets\/images\/lender-rating\/star-light-quarter.svg\">\n                        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"details-link\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"collapsed\" data-target=\"#sallie-mae-psl\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" role=\"button\">View details<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">  <span>\n    2.890%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n -   <span>\n    17.49%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/span><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">  <span>\n    3.75%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n -   <span>\n    16.370%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/span><\/td><td class=\"column-4\">$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">10 to 20<\/td><td class=\"column-6\">Does not disclose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-15\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\">            <div id=\"sallie-mae-psl\" class=\"collapse tablepress-lender-details__container\">\n                <ul>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fixed APR:<\/span>\n                                <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">  <span>\n    2.890%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n -   <span>\n    17.49%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/span><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Variable APR:<\/span>\n                                <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">  <span>\n    3.75%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n -   <span>\n    16.370%<sup>9<\/sup>\n  <\/span>\n<\/span><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Min. credit score:<\/span>\n                                Does not disclose<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan amount:<\/span>\n                                $1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan terms (years):<\/span>\n                                10 to 20<sup>9<\/sup><\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Repayment options:<\/span>\n                                Full deferral, fixed\/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Fees:<\/span>\n                                Late fee, non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Discounts:<\/span>\n                                Autopay<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Eligibility:<\/span>\n                                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.<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Customer service:<\/span>\n                                Phone, chat<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Prequalified rates with a soft credit check:<\/span>\n                                Yes<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Cosigner release:<\/span>\n                                Borrowers can apply after graduation, 12 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments, and meeting certain credit requirements.<\/li>\n                                                <li><span class=\"font-weight-bold\">Loan servicer:<\/span>\n                                Sallie Mae<\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-16\">\n\t<td colspan=\"6\" class=\"column-1\"><center><b>Compare private student loan rates without affecting<br> your credit score. 100% free!<\/b><br><br \/>\n<center><a class=\"btn btn-warning\" href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/student-loans\/start\">Compare Private Loans Now<\/a><\/center><br><\/center><br \/>\n<!-- TrustBox widget - Micro Combo --><br \/>\n<div class=\"trustpilot-widget\" data-locale=\"en-US\" data-template-id=\"5419b6ffb0d04a076446a9af\" data-businessunit-id=\"5536ec090000ff00057eebe7\" data-style-height=\"20px\" data-style-width=\"100%\" data-theme=\"light\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustpilot.com\/review\/www.credible.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trustpilot<\/a><\/div><br \/>\n<!-- End TrustBox widget --><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p><a name=\"tuition-assistance-programs\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>7. Research tuition assistance programs<\/h2>\n<p>In some cases, your employer might be willing to cover some or all of your education costs through a tuition assistance program. These programs can help you offset the cost of college while also increasing your job skills and adding value for your employer.<\/p>\n<p>Even if your employer doesn\u2019t have a tuition assistance program in place, it doesn\u2019t hurt to ask. They might be willing to provide funding if you can show them how it could benefit them by increasing your job skills.<\/p>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Tip: <\/b>You might also be eligible for assistance if you\u2019re a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/student-loans-for-military-personnel-and-families\/\">member of the U.S. military<\/a>. Most of the military branches offer a student loan repayment assistance program in return for you serving for a specific period of time.<\/p>\n<p>Qualifying veterans of active duty (or qualifying family members) could also receive college aid through the Servicemen\u2019s Readjustment Act of 1944 \u2014 also known as the G.I. Bill.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><b><i>Check Out: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/cant-afford-college\/\"><b><i>5 Steps to Take If You Can\u2019t Afford College<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"tax-credits\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>8. See if tax credits could help<\/h2>\n<p>You might also be able to take advantage of tax credits designed to help students afford college. A tax credit offers a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income tax you owe. If the credit brings your owed taxes down to zero, some credits even provide you with a refund.<\/p>\n<p>A couple of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/education-tax-credit\/\">educational tax credits<\/a> include the:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/credits-deductions\/individuals\/aotc\"><b>American Opportunity Tax Credit<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b> This refundable tax credit allows students to claim up to $2,500 per year in their first four years of pursuing a degree \u2014 meaning this credit can be claimed four times. If using this tax credit reduces your owed taxes to $0, the IRS will refund 40% of any remaining amount of the credit (up to $1,000).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/credits-deductions\/individuals\/llc\"><b>Lifetime Learning Tax Credit<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b> This non-refundable tax credit allows you to claim 20% of the first $10,000 spent on qualified education expenses each year up to a maximum of $2,000. Since this credit is non-refundable, you won\u2019t receive the credit back as a refund if your owed taxes are reduced to $0. There\u2019s no limit to the number of years you can claim this credit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a name=\"fafsa-without-parental-assistance\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What to do if your parents can\u2019t or won\u2019t fill out the FAFSA<\/h2>\n<p>Both schools and the federal government consider the cost of education to be primarily the family\u2019s responsibility when it comes to dependent students. Unfortunately, if your parents can\u2019t help you financially and also can\u2019t or won\u2019t fill out the FAFSA, then you won\u2019t be able to apply for federal student aid as an independent student until you\u2019re 24.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few common reasons why parents might refuse to fill out the FAFSA:<\/p>\n<h3>Privacy concerns<\/h3>\n<p>Some parents worry about providing their financial information to a third party. You can reassure them that their personal information is considered confidential and is protected by encryption when submitting the FAFSA online.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, once your school\u2019s financial aid office has received your FAFSA information, it\u2019s considered part of your student records and is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that the school won\u2019t disclose your parent\u2019s information to you or anyone else.<\/p>\n<h3>Divorce<\/h3>\n<p>Parents going through a difficult divorce are sometimes hesitant to provide their information for the FAFSA because they worry that the other spouse will learn about their financial situation. You can let your parents know that FERPA will protect them in most cases \u2014 the financial aid office will not disclose their information to the other spouse.<\/p>\n<p>However, keep in mind that the school can be served by a court order to divulge this information for divorce proceedings. In this case, the school will alert the affected parent and won\u2019t act until they&#8217;ve had a chance to fight the order.<\/p>\n<h3>Stepparents<\/h3>\n<p>If you have a stepparent, they could be reluctant to provide financial information on the FAFSA \u2014 for example, they might be concerned about privacy or being obligated to pay for your education. Or they might think the government won\u2019t count their assets and income.<\/p>\n<p>You can tell them that the government does consider this information from stepparents \u2014 however, this doesn\u2019t obligate them to financially support you. Also let them know that filling out the FAFSA could provide you with need-based financial aid, which you won\u2019t have access to without the form.<\/p>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><b>Tip:<\/b> If your parents are completely unwilling to fill out the FAFSA, talk to your school\u2019s financial aid office. The financial aid administrator might be able to talk to your parents and convince them to fill out the FAFSA.<\/p>\n<p>If this fails, the financial aid administrator could offer you a Direct Unsubsidized Loan as long as they verify that your parents have ended your financial support and refuse to file the FAFSA.<\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Are you considered a dependent or independent student when submitting your FAFSA?<\/h2>\n<p>To determine if you\u2019re considered a dependent or an independent student, you\u2019ll need to answer the following questions:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Will you be age 24 or older as of January 1 of the school year for which you\u2019re applying for financial aid?<\/li>\n<li>Are you married or separated but not divorced?<\/li>\n<li>Will you be working toward a master\u2019s or doctorate degree?<\/li>\n<li>Do you have children who receive more than half of their financial support from you?<\/li>\n<li>Do you have dependents (other than children or a spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their financial support from you?<\/li>\n<li>Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces?<\/li>\n<li>Are you a veteran?<\/li>\n<li>At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?<\/li>\n<li>Are you an emancipated minor?<\/li>\n<li>Are you an unaccompanied minor who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of becoming homeless?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If you answer \u201cno\u201d to all of these questions, you\u2019re considered a dependent student and must have your parents fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Learn More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/independent-vs-dependent-status\/\"><b><i>Independent vs. Dependent Student: Which Are You?<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What student loans are available without a parent\u2019s participation?<\/h2>\n<p>If your parents refuse to fill out the FAFSA form, you might still be able to get a student loan. Here are the types of student loans available without parental participation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Direct Unsubsidized Loans:<\/b> If your school\u2019s financial aid administrator is able to verify that your parents won\u2019t financially support you or fill out the FAFSA, they could offer you this kind of loan. Keep in mind that unlike with subsidized loans, you\u2019re responsible for all of the interest that accrues on an unsubsidized loan.<\/li>\n<li><b>Private student loans:<\/b> You don\u2019t need your parents\u2019 participation to apply for a student loan through a private lender \u2014 in most cases, you\u2019ll just need to be at least 18 years old and be enrolled at an eligible school. Keep in mind that qualifying for a private loan could be difficult if you have poor credit or haven\u2019t yet established a credit history. In this case, applying with a creditworthy cosigner could increase your approval chances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you decide to take out a private student loan, remember to consider as many lenders as you can to find the right loan for your situation. This is easy with Credible \u2014 you can compare your prequalified rates from multiple lenders in two minutes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"basic-box\" style=\"border: 1px solid #E2E4E6;\"><div class=\"basic-box__inside\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>Compare student loan rates from top lenders<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"list--iconArrow accent--isGreen\">\n<li>Multiple lenders compete to get you the best rate<\/li>\n<li>Get actual rates, not estimated ones<\/li>\n<li>Finance almost any degree<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"btn btn-warning\" href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/student-loans\">See Your Rates<\/a><br \/>\n<small>Checking rates will not affect your credit<\/small><\/p>\n<p><!-- TrustBox widget - Micro Combo --><\/p>\n<div class=\"trustpilot-widget\" data-locale=\"en-US\" data-template-id=\"5419b6ffb0d04a076446a9af\" data-businessunit-id=\"5536ec090000ff00057eebe7\" data-style-height=\"20px\" data-style-width=\"100%\" data-theme=\"light\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustpilot.com\/review\/www.credible.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trustpilot<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- End TrustBox widget --><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While many college students rely on their parents to help them pay for their education, not every parent is able to provide financial contributions toward school. However, dependent students will still need some important financial&hellip; <a class=\"more \" href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":59072,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1493],"class_list":["post-59070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-refinance-student-loans","tag-financial-aid-fafsa","8-steps-if-your-parents-wont-help-pay-for-college","post_tag-financial-aid-fafsa"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College | Credible<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dependent students can\u2019t get federal financial aid without their parents \u2014 but there are other options. Learn how to pay for college without parents here.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College | Credible\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dependent students can\u2019t get federal financial aid without their parents \u2014 but there are other options. Learn how to pay for college without parents here.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Credible\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/crediblelabs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-02-02T18:53:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-10-31T19:36:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1416\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"566\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Emily Guy Birken\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EmilyGuyBirken\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@credible\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Emily Guy Birken\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Emily Guy Birken\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/407d59a41dce948b54968700836b6526\"},\"headline\":\"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-02-02T18:53:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-10-31T19:36:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2866,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png\",\"keywords\":[\"financial-aid-fafsa\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Student Loan Refinancing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/\",\"name\":\"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College | Credible\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-02-02T18:53:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-10-31T19:36:07+00:00\",\"description\":\"Dependent students can\u2019t get federal financial aid without their parents \u2014 but there are other options. Learn how to pay for college without parents here.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png\",\"width\":1416,\"height\":566},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/student-loans\\\/paying-for-college-without-parents\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Credible\",\"description\":\"Getting borrowers connected to the right information for student loan refinancing, student loans, and personal loans.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Credible\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/01\\\/Picture1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/01\\\/Picture1.png\",\"width\":901,\"height\":196,\"caption\":\"Credible\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/crediblelabs\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/credible\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/credible\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/crediblelabs\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/407d59a41dce948b54968700836b6526\",\"name\":\"Emily Guy Birken\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/c2e3dbd7207faf78a8670d8cab746862-150x150.png\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/c2e3dbd7207faf78a8670d8cab746862-150x150.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/c2e3dbd7207faf78a8670d8cab746862-150x150.png\",\"caption\":\"Emily Guy Birken\"},\"description\":\"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.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/in\\\/emily-guy-birken-845b0b18a\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/EmilyGuyBirken\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.credible.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/emily-guy-birken\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College | Credible","description":"Dependent students can\u2019t get federal financial aid without their parents \u2014 but there are other options. Learn how to pay for college without parents here.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College | Credible","og_description":"Dependent students can\u2019t get federal financial aid without their parents \u2014 but there are other options. Learn how to pay for college without parents here.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/","og_site_name":"Credible","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/crediblelabs\/","article_published_time":"2022-02-02T18:53:05+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-10-31T19:36:07+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1416,"height":566,"url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Emily Guy Birken","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@EmilyGuyBirken","twitter_site":"@credible","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Emily Guy Birken","Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/"},"author":{"name":"Emily Guy Birken","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/407d59a41dce948b54968700836b6526"},"headline":"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College","datePublished":"2022-02-02T18:53:05+00:00","dateModified":"2022-10-31T19:36:07+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/"},"wordCount":2866,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png","keywords":["financial-aid-fafsa"],"articleSection":["Student Loan Refinancing"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/","url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/","name":"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College | Credible","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png","datePublished":"2022-02-02T18:53:05+00:00","dateModified":"2022-10-31T19:36:07+00:00","description":"Dependent students can\u2019t get federal financial aid without their parents \u2014 but there are other options. Learn how to pay for college without parents here.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/How-to-Pay-for-College-Without-Parents.png","width":1416,"height":566},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/student-loans\/paying-for-college-without-parents\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"8 Steps If Your Parents Won\u2019t Help Pay for College"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/","name":"Credible","description":"Getting borrowers connected to the right information for student loan refinancing, student loans, and personal loans.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Credible","url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Picture1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Picture1.png","width":901,"height":196,"caption":"Credible"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/crediblelabs\/","https:\/\/x.com\/credible","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/credible\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/crediblelabs"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/407d59a41dce948b54968700836b6526","name":"Emily Guy Birken","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/c2e3dbd7207faf78a8670d8cab746862-150x150.png","url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/c2e3dbd7207faf78a8670d8cab746862-150x150.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/c2e3dbd7207faf78a8670d8cab746862-150x150.png","caption":"Emily Guy Birken"},"description":"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.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/emily-guy-birken-845b0b18a\/","https:\/\/x.com\/EmilyGuyBirken"],"url":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/author\/emily-guy-birken\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59070"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65275,"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59070\/revisions\/65275"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.credible.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}