Why choose Ascent over Citizens?

Ascent offers student loans with rates starting at 2.69% APR*, more repayment options, no fees, and a powerful combination of benefits.

Get pre-approved in under 3 minutes without impacting your credit score.
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168,000+ people have used Ascent to pay for school**

4.8 out of 5
9,359 NPS reviews

Flexible repayment options

Ascent offers 40 repayment options across its co-signed and non-cosigned college undergraduate, graduate, and parent loans.

No fees

Breathe easier with absolutely no fees on college loans – no late fees, application fees, origination fees, NSF fees, or disbursement fees.

Job & internship support

Gain access to paid remote internship opportunities and resources for budgeting, school support, and career readiness through AscentUP2.

How Ascent outshines competitors

Unlike other lenders, our priority is the success of our borrowers. That's why Ascent offers more flexible repayment options, competitive interest rates, and personalized help so you can navigate your education and career path along the way.

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See how Ascent compares 1 2 3 4 Ascent Funding blue logo Industry
standard
Grace Period 9 months 6 months
Automatic Payment Discounts 0.50% – 1.00% 0.25%
No Fees!
College & Career Coaching
Access to Paid Internship Opportunities
40 Repayment Options
Cash Back at Graduation
DACA & International Eligibility
Student & Parent Scholarship Giveaways
12-Month Cosigner Release
Path to Discharge in Bankruptcy

Comparison based on information obtained on lender's websites as of October 2025

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College costs add up. We’re ready to help.

Stay focused on your goals – we’ll cover the expenses. From books to bills, Ascent student loans can pay for exactly what you need. Borrow as little as $2,001 up to your full cost of attendance so you can keep moving forward.

Start an ApplicationThe minimum loan amount is $2,001, except for the state of Massachusetts. The minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001. Your maximum loan amount will be determined according to Ascent's Ts&Cs and your school's certification of the loan amount.

We go beyond just providing loans

  • 168,000+

    people have used an Ascent loan to pay for school**

  • 82%

    of credit-based college loan borrowers increased their credit score5

  • 1.2 million+

    minutes of financial wellness education accessed

  • $355,000+

    in scholarships awarded by Ascent since 2020

Hear from real borrowers

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Resources for college students and families

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Stay up to date with upcoming scholarships

Achieve more with Ascent's no-essay scholarships - over $355,000 in scholarships awarded to date! Stay in the loop with scholarship resources, finance tips, product updates, and more.

Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. See Terms and Conditions at AscentFunding.com/Rates and AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Loan features and information advertised are subject to change at any time.

*Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 02/05/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 06/01/2025, a 0.5% discount on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 06/01/2025, and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based college student loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower's credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.

**Over 168,000 borrowers took out an Ascent loan for college or career training tuition or expenses between January 2018 and November 2025.

1Comparison chart is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information obtained from competitor websites as of October 2025. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness, timeliness, or reliability of the data presented. Competitor terms, rates, and features may change without notice. This chart is intended to help users understand general differences among products and services and does not constitute financial advice, an endorsement, or a loan offer. Users should verify all information directly with the respective providers before making any financial decisions. Ascent loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. See Terms and Conditions at AscentFunding.com/Rates and AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time.

2Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.

3Ascent college loans originated June 5, 2023 onward are eligible for discharge without a showing of “undue hardship.” Restrictions apply, visit AscentFunding.com/faq/312285.

4Only Ascent college loans are eligible for no fees. Ascent career training loans are subject to a one-time origination fee of 5.0% of the loan amount. All Ascent loans are eligible for no application, disbursement, late, NSF or early payment fees.

5Impact to score may vary. For some, scores may not improve. Results will depend on many factors, including on-time payment history, the status of non-Ascent accounts, and other financial history.