International students attending U.S. colleges and universities may be eligible for award-winning private student loans with Ascent. We’re here to help support your journey, no matter how far you’re coming from.
Check your rate without impacting your credit score.
We’re proud to provide award-winning loans for lifelong learners.
Loan requirements for international students attending U.S. universities
You’re eligible for an international student loan with Ascent if:
You are not a U.S. citizen
You are not a U.S. permanent resident
You’re not Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)
You have an eligible resident status
You have a creditworthy cosigner who lives in the U.S. and meets additional requirements (see below)
If you meet these requirements, a private international student loan with Ascent may be an option for you.
Cosigner requirements for international student loans
In addition to the above requirements, international students attending U.S. universities are also required to have a creditworthy cosigner for Ascent student loans.
Your cosigner must:
Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
Have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on your credit score.
Meet a minimum gross annual income of $30,000 for the current and previous year.
Be able to submit satisfactory proof-of-income.
Parent student loan requirements for parents, grandparents, guardians, or sponsors
Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
Have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change.
Meet a minimum gross annual income of $40,000 with credit and income-based debt-to-income requirements.
The student is enrolled less than half-time, half-time, or full-time status.
Obtaining an I-20 to study?
An I-20 is one of the documents we will require to fund your education. If you do not have an I-20 yet or are planning on using Ascent as your proof of funding, we can help!
*Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 07/01/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.5%. Automatic Payment Discounts offered include a 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025, and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based 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.
International student loan options
Ascent offers private student loans to international students in the U.S. for a variety of career paths. Explore your options below.
Undergraduate Cosigned
Credit-Based Loan
For international undergraduate students with a creditworthy cosigner
Variable* APR4.31% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR3.09% - 14.41%
ELIGIBILITY:
Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:
Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
MBA School Cosigned
Student Loans
For international graduate students pursuing their MBA with a cosigner.
Variable* APR5.01% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR3.89% - 14.41%
ELIGIBILITY:
Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:
Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Medical School Cosigned
Student Loans
For international graduate students pursuing their MD, DO, DVM, VMD, or DPM with a cosigner.
Variable* APR5.01% - 14.97%
Fixed* APR3.89% - 14.41%
ELIGIBILITY:
Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 36-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:
Maximum in-school period is 48 months
Dental School Cosigned
Student Loans
For international graduate students pursuing their DMD or DDS with a cosigner.
Variable* APR5.01% - 14.97%
Fixed* APR3.89% - 14.41%
ELIGIBILITY:
Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 12-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:
Maximum in-school period is 48 months
Law School Cosigned
Student Loans
For international graduate students pursuing their law degree with a cosigner.
Variable* APR5.01% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR3.89% - 14.41%
ELIGIBILITY:
Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:
Maximum in-school period is 36 months
General Graduate School Cosigned
Student Loans
For international students seeking graduate loans for degree programs in allied health, nursing, pharmacy, PhD programs, and other advanced graduate degrees (MA, MS) with a cosigner.
Variable* APR5.01% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR3.89% - 14.41%
ELIGIBILITY:
Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:
Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Parent
Credit-Based Loan
For parents, grandparents, guardians, and sponsors with an international student attending an eligible school.
Variable* APR5.51% - 15.22%
Fixed* APR5.10% - 15.61%
ELIGIBILITY:
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Must be a parent, grandparent, guardian, or sponsor with an eligible student who is enrolled less than half-time, half-time or full-time at a degree-granting, Title IV, Ascent eligible school
Meet the minimum credit score and income requirements
Additional requirements for international student loans
In addition to a creditworthy cosigner, international students attending a university in the U.S. must be able to verify your individual resident status and provide proof of identification:
Temporary Resident Status
OPTION 1:
Valid Visa
A valid visa** must not expire within 6-months of the end of the enrollment period for which the loan is being requested. Acceptable forms are as follows:
G-1
H-1B
L-1
M-3
M-1
F-1
H-1C
H-3
T-1
F-3
H-2B
J-1
TN
AND
Social Security Card
OPTION 2:
(In lieu of unexpired VISA and Social Security Card):
I-20 Form
(pages 1 & 2 signed – if applicable)
AND
Unexpired Passport
from country of origin
Temporary Protected status students must upload the following documentation verifying your resident status:
**Note: We do not accept all visa types. Please see above for eligible visa types.
Credit Score
Eligible international students with no credit score or eligible students that meet a minimum credit score must apply with a cosigner. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner.
How to get your private student loan for international students
You’ve already put a lot of work into preparing for college.
Step 1
Submit your pre-qualification
We ask you to provide important information such as your name, address, date of birth, the school you’re applying to, and employment information. If you’re applying with a cosigner, they’ll also enter their information.
Step 2
Customize your loan details
Once your completed loan application is approved, you’ll be able to view your loan details and select the loan terms that work best for you.
Step 3
Complete any open loan tasks in your Ascent portal
After you choose your loan terms, complete any loan application tasks in your Ascent portal.
Step 4
We pay the school
When your portal tasks are complete, we send your loan for school certification. Once certified, we’ll disburse your loan directly to the school.
More ways to pay for graduate school with Ascent
Ascent offers additional ways for you to earn money throughout the year, even if you don’t have a loan with us. Expand your possibilities with our benefits.
Financial wellness tips for international students
To help you borrow responsibly, we incorporate financial wellness into our private student loan application process. This includes exclusive access to tips and resources to help prepare you for financial success while studying in the U.S. and after graduation.
Being young I don’t have a strong credit history. Ascent made it possible for me to have my own loan without the help of others - I’m thankful I found them.
Nikara M.Western Washington University
It was the only decent loan provider that would except a non-cosigned loan. My loan manager helped a lot.
Robert C.Texas A&M University
Ascent gave me the option to take on a loan by myself and at a decent interest rate for what my circumstances were.
Tyler P.Keiser University
Frequently asked questions about private student loans for international students
We have answers.
From your first application to your final payment, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way. Our 100% U.S.-based Customer Service Team is here for you.
Ascent is an innovative private student loan program that provides access to higher education funding for an expanded population of undergraduate and graduate students, while encouraging the financial wellness of students and their families.
We advocate awareness of the potential financial outcomes of your higher education choices (school, major, years in school, financing your education), helping you visualize where your career could go and what it could be – encouraging better decisions today to open up greater future opportunities.
Ascent offers loan products to help international undergraduate and graduate students pay for college.
International undergraduate and graduate students have the option to apply for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan. Ascent created customized grad school loans for:
Business School (MBA)
Dental School (DMD, DDS)
Law School (JD, LLM)
Medical School (MD, DO, DVM, VMD, DPM)
General Graduate School (Health Professionals, Nursing, Pharmacy, MA, MS, PhD, etc.)
College loans for international students studying in the U.S. can cover costs associated with undergraduate or graduate programs. Like all Ascent loans, your international student loan will be paid directly to your school to cover any tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other college costs.
No, international students in the USA must have a cosigner for student loans. Your cosigner has to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, among other requirements.
Yes, Ascent provides private student loans for international students attending U.S. universities. You’ll need a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, has a credit score that meets our requirements, and can provide proof of an income of at least $30,000 a year.
We know applying for student loans can be overwhelming, but the Ascent team is here to answer your questions. Explore our FAQ page for more commonly asked questions and answers. If you have a more personalized question you need to ask or don’t find your answer on our site, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Contact us for help with international student loans
If you have questions or concerns about your international student loan application, don’t hesitate to contact Ascent. We’re available to assist you and provide clarification on the loan application process, as well as any additional information you need to help make your decision.
Fill out our contact form to reach the Ascent team.