How To Ask Someone To Be A Cosigner On a Student Loan

If you need a cosigner to qualify for a private student loan, you’re in good company. In 2025, about 94% of borrowers applied with a cosigner, according to analysis by data analytics company Enterval Analytics. But how do you find the right cosigner? And what do you say when you ask them?

We talked to Darla Bishop, DrPH, author of the book “How to Afford College,” and cosigner for her younger brother’s private student loan, to find out what you need to know. 

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When might you need a cosigner for a student loan?

If you’re young with limited credit history and no or low income, you’re likely to need a cosigner to get a private student loan. A cosigner is someone who helps a primary borrower qualify for a loan by agreeing to share responsibility for the debt. When the borrower and cosigner apply for the loan, the cosigner promises to take over the loan obligation if the primary borrower can’t make the payments. 

Borrowers only need cosigners for private student loans. Federal Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans never require cosigners. Eligibility for these loans isn't based on your creditworthiness or income. 

However, federal Direct PLUS Loans require a look at the borrower’s credit history, although they’re typically easier to qualify for than private student loans. PLUS loan borrowers with adverse credit may need an endorser (which is similar to a cosigner) to qualify.

Bishop explains why cosigners are so commonly needed for private student loans: “If you’re 18 to 22 years old, you might have no, or limited, credit history,” she says. 

Without an established credit history, a private lender has little to go on to determine your creditworthiness and the likelihood that you’ll repay the loan. But that’s not the only reason why you may need a cosigner.

“The other reason you might need a guarantor is if on paper you don't make a lot of money,” Bishop explains.

College students typically have very limited incomes, even if they know they’ll earn decent salaries after graduation. But without a current income that can cover loan repayments, many borrowers need an employed cosigner to help them qualify for the loan.

Who can be a student loan cosigner?

For many students, a parent will be their cosigner. A student loan cosigner who is most likely to help you land a favorable loan is one who meets all of the private lender’s eligibility criteria for a borrower. This typically means:

• They have a good credit score: Most lenders look for a cosigner with a credit score of 670 or higher. The higher your cosigner’s credit score, the more favorable interest rates you can qualify for.
• They have a stable income: Lenders want to see that either the borrower or cosigner has a reliable source of income.
• They have a low debt-to-income ratio: The debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the amount of debt owed compared to your income. Most lenders prefer to see a DTI under 35%.

Borrowers need to consider more than just financial credentials when thinking about potential cosigners. There’s an emotional aspect of asking someone to be a cosigner that could cause serious relationship problems down the line — because the loan will appear on your cosigner’s credit history and they need to trust that you’ll make on-time payments. 

“If you're asking a relative or a friend to be your cosigner, you could lose a relationship over this,” Bishop says. “Many relationships have been lost over cosigned loans.”

This is why she recommends being as open and communicative as possible when you’re ready to ask a potential cosigner for their help. You also need to assure them that you’ll be financially responsible for the repayments. 

How to ask someone to be a student loan cosigner

There are several steps to take before you approach your potential cosigner. Skipping them can put your loan or your relationship at risk.

1. Do your homework

There are a few pieces of vital information you need to share with your potential cosigner. These include:

• The exact loan amount you need: Bring documentation about your educational funding gap so your potential cosigner can understand why you need it.
• Potential repayment terms and rates: If possible, narrow down your lender options — including the repayment terms and rates — before approaching your cosigner. While your terms and rates may vary depending on your cosigner, researching them ahead of time will allow you to provide a detailed analysis of how the cosigner’s help will impact your ability to afford the loan.
• A detailed, written budget and repayment plan: This outlines when payments start, what the monthly payment will be, and how you’ll afford them. Providing these details will show your cosigner that you intend to take full responsibility for repayment as the primary borrower.

2. Explain what you need from a student loan cosigner

Creating a detailed repayment plan is an important step toward building trust with your cosigner. But Bishop recommends doing more than just reassuring the cosigner. Make sure it’s clear that they’re on the hook for the loan if you can’t make the payments.

“Tell them what your plan is if something changes in your own situation once you're in repayment,” she says. “The riskiest part of being a cosigner is what happens if the borrower misses payments. So think through how you’ll make payments on the loan no matter what — or if the unthinkable happens, how you'll stay in touch with them so that they aren't blindsided.”

Bishop explains how when she cosigned a loan for her younger brother, they had an explicit conversation about how he had to pay the cosigned loan before any other bills. 

“He can negotiate rent, but if he messes up my credit, then I can't help him anymore,” she says.

This is why Bishop suggests that borrowers and cosigners are both clear on how big an ask this is. “It’s best when the borrower says, ‘I encourage you to Google what it means to be a cosigner, because this is a big deal that I'm asking you,’” she says. “Tell your potential cosigner, ‘I don't want you to think I'm taking it lightly, and I don't think you should either.’”

Many private lenders offer cosigner release, which allows your cosigner to be freed from their responsibility for the loan after a set number of on-time payments. Taking on a loan with a cosigner release option could be a good way to ensure that you protect your cosigner and your relationship. Alternatively, even if you’re unable to take a loan with cosigner release now, you might refinance your cosigned loan after a few years once you have improved your credit and income, which will allow you to release your cosigner.

3. Give your potential student loan cosigner time to decide

Although you may have a sense of urgency depending on how quickly you need to pay your tuition, make sure you give your potential cosigner time to think about your request. This is a big favor you are asking of them and they’ll need time to consider. They may also need to talk it over with a spouse or other family members or a financial adviser. Just let them know when you need an answer.

Be prepared for your potential cosigner to say no. Though it would be disappointing for them to refuse to cosign a loan, it would be far worse to allow this to hurt your relationship. Be ready to gracefully accept no for an answer.

Avoiding the need for a student loan cosigner

Students may be able to get the funding they need without turning to a private student loan that may require a cosigner. Here are ways to fill a funding gap without a cosigner:

• Free financial aid: When you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it opens up your eligibility to federal financial aid, including grants and scholarships, which don’t need to be repaid. But you can also apply for as many additional scholarships, merit-based aid, and grants as you like, which can help bridge the financial gap.
• Federal student loans: Federal Direct subsidized and unsubsidized student loans do not require a credit check or income verification. If you have not maxed out your federal student loans, you may want to explore that option before taking on private student loans.
• Tuition payment plans: Many colleges and universities offer zero-interest installment plans for tuition and fees. Ask your financial aid office if you can pay in installments and avoid taking on additional student loan debt.
• Improve your financial situation: If you aren’t currently in school, work to improve your credit score and income before applying for a private student loan so you don’t need a cosigner.