Ascent Named Best Student Loan Lender for no-cosigner loans from Buy Side from The Wall Street Journal
SAN DIEGO, CA – March 13, 2025 – Ascent, a leading provider of student loans and financial wellness resources, is proud to announce recognition as the “Best Student Loan Lender for no-cosigner loans” from Buy Side of The Wall Street Journal. This prestigious acknowledgment highlights Ascent’s commitment to empowering students with affordable financing options and robust tools to support educational and financial success.
The Journal’s evaluation highlighted Ascent’s innovative approach to student lending, which prioritizes accessibility, flexibility, and borrower support. Ascent was recognized for its ability to cater to a broader range of students, including those with limited or no credit history, by considering forward-looking factors like future earning potential rather than solely relying on credit scores. This forward-thinking approach, coupled with competitive rates, customizable loan terms, and progressive repayment options that adjust to borrowers’ incomes, sets Ascent apart. Ascent offers a uniquely personalized and student-centric borrowing experience, making it the clear leader in no-cosigner loans.
Ascent is committed to empowering students and families with transparent lending processes designed to simplify financing a college education. Ascent offers a variety of loans, enabling support for a diverse range of students with varying financial needs and circumstances. With over 40 flexible repayment options, Ascent allows students to tailor their loan experience to fit their unique financial situations, ensuring manageable repayment plans. Ascent does not charge application or disbursement fees, demonstrating its commitment to affordability and transparency. Additional standout features of Ascent’s approach to supporting student outcomes includes cash-back rewards upon graduation and the distinction of having awarded more than $332,000 in scholarships. By focusing on accessibility and student-centered solutions, Ascent empowers students to pursue their educational dreams with confidence. Ascent goes beyond just financing but provides borrowers’ long-term financial success through AscentUP, an asynchronous training platform and wrap around support services with resources for budgeting, school success, and career readiness.
“We’re proud to be recognized by The Wall Street Journal as a top student loan lender,” said Kim McNealy, SVP & General Manager of Education Financing at Ascent Funding. “This recognition underscores our commitment to providing students with the financial tools and resources they need to succeed both academically and financially. Through flexible loan options, financial literacy resources, and innovative support services, we strive to break down barriers to education and help students navigate their academic and financial futures with confidence.”
The Journal’s evaluation process involved a comprehensive analysis of 19 companies across key categories such as repayment options, eligibility requirements, interest rates, loan terms, and customer support. Each lender received a weighted score, with repayment options accounting for 30%, eligibility for 25%, interest rates for 20%, loan terms for 15%, and customer support for 10%. Ascent’s innovative lending practices and borrower-focused features excelled across these categories, solidifying its position as the top choice for no-cosigner loans.
ABOUT ASCENT
Ascent is a leading provider of innovative financial products and wrap-around student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success. Everything Ascent offers is designed by leading industry professionals and with advanced technology and innovation to increase every student’s ability to plan, pay, and succeed. Ascent’s rare Outcomes-Based Loan provides funding to credit-invisible borrowers who generally do not benefit from traditional credit. Ascent products also include: Cosigned Loans, Solo Loans, Career Loans, Parent Loans, Graduate Loans, Access Loans, Enterprise Loans and Impact Loans. For more information, visit www.ascentfunding.com.
ABOUT WALLSTREET JOURNAL
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is a leading global news organization, renowned for its in-depth coverage of business, finance, and world news, providing readers with trusted analysis and commentary across print, digital, and mobile platforms; recognized as a premier source for business information, the WSJ is published by Dow Jones and boasts a distinguished reputation for high-quality journalism, including multiple Pulitzer Prizes.
