School loans for your bright future.

Ascent is the leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success.

Students attending an eligible institution and enrolled at least half-time in a degree program may apply for an Ascent loan.

Ascent’s credit decisioning criteria is proprietary and subject to change, but you can check your rates without impacting your credit score. We consider credit history and several other factors including, but not limited to, credit score.

Cosigned Credit-Based Loan for undergraduate and graduate students:

• Student borrowers must have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner.
• Cosigners must have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your borrower.

Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loan for undergraduate and graduate students:

• Student borrowers must have more than two (2) years of credit history with a minimum credit score.

Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan for undergraduate students (juniors and seniors ONLY):

• Student borrowers with no credit score, or students who meet a minimum credit score with or without two (2) years of credit history. (See Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan eligibility requirements.)

Yes. Non-U.S. citizens that meet certain eligibility criteria can apply for an Ascent undergraduate or graduate student loan, or an Ascent consumer loan for bootcamps.

Please see the required documentation and cosigner requirements below.

Permanent Resident

Required Documents:

• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (If expired, provide extension letter)
• Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply as a solo applicant, or with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident
Cosigner

Temporary Resident:

Required Documents:

• Unexpired VISA with an acceptable category as follows:F-1, F-3, G-1, H-1B, H-1C, H-2B, H-3, J-1, L-1, M-1, M-3,
  T-1, TN
• Social Security Card

The following documents may also be submitted in lieu of a VISA and Social Security Card

• I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 signed) (if applicable)
• Unexpired Passport from country of origin
• *Temporary Protected Status:
  • See here for eligible countries: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
  • Required Documents:
    • Form I-797, Notice of Action
    • Unexpired Passport from country of origin
    • Social Security Card (if applicable

Cosigner requirements: A U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner will be required with your application.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

Required Documents:

• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card with your name and a C33 category code
  • If expired or in process we need a Form I-797, Notice of Action or written notice of DACA and employment
    authorization
• Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply as a solo applicant, or with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident
Cosigner

NOTE: The option to apply to release the cosigner after making twelve (12) consecutive full principal and interest payments on-time or an equivalent prepayment amount while also meeting the other eligibility criteria to qualify is only available to student borrowers that are U.S. citizens or have U.S. permanent resident status or DACA status. (See FAQ, “Can I eventually remove the cosigner from my loan?”)

Yes. Students who are enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution may qualify for Ascent’s Cosigned Credit-Based Loan option. Students who are enrolled half-time within 9-months of graduation in a degree-seeking program at an eligible institution may qualify for Ascent’s Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan option. Certain limitations may apply for applicants who apply without a cosigner.

The maximum loan amount for an Ascent loan is limited to the total cost of attendance for a period not to exceed one full academic year, including any financial aid you receive, as certified by your school. Note: Your maximum loan amount may be less than the amount requested on your application due to school certification or other underwriting factors.

• Minimum: $2,001*
• Maximum (aggregate): $200,000 for Undergraduate Loans; $400,000 for Graduate Loans
• Student borrowers may borrow up to their institution’s cost of attendance as certified by the school and may not exceed the aggregate loan limits as stated above except for Ascent’s Undergraduate Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan, which has a maximum of $20,000 for the academic year.

*The loan minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

Your interest rate on the loan is the cost you pay to borrow the money. Your monthly payment is based on the interest rate for your total loan balance. You can choose between a fixed rate or a variable rate.

A fixed rate means your interest rate will not increase or decrease while you are making monthly payments until your loan is paid in full. It will stay the same for the life of the loan.

A variable rate means your actual interest rate could be lower or higher during your loan term than the rate you are given while completing the loan application.

Choosing a fixed rate versus a variable rate is entirely up to you but be sure to do your research beforehand on what will best fit your journey to financial wellness.

Ascent’s loan process is broken out into 4 easy steps:

Step 1: Submit your pre-qualification

Step 2: Select your repayment plan

Step 3: Complete your Ascent Portal tasks

Step 4: We pay your school

With federal student loans, you borrow money directly from the Department of Education. To apply for a federal student loan, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) application by visiting: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out.

Private student loans help fill the gap between your college expenses, including books, school supplies, rent, groceries, parking, gas, and anything else not covered by FAFSA or scholarships. Ascent offers flexible options to help you manage your monthly payments as you enter repayment.