Check your rate without impacting your credit score.
What are others saying about Ascent?
The best thing about Ascent is the fact that they make the process easy. I was able to do everything online and the money was sent directly to my school.
Anjellica C.Northern Arizona University
They talked to me and helped me out in the most possible way. They made sure I got the most that I possibly could.
Rnajee M.Mississippi State University
Ascent was great because they were able to answer all of my questions. They made getting to college a lot easier for me.
Grace G.Simmons College
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.University of North Carolina at Charlotte
College loans designed with you in mind.
Ascent helps you cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance and other school-related expenses (up to $200,000 for undergraduate loans and $400,000 for graduate loans*) at over 2,200 colleges nationwide by offering undergraduate and graduate loans for students.
*The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s year in school, credit history, certified cost of attendance, and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information.
For parents, grandparents, guardians, and sponsors with a student attending an eligible school - See eligibility requirements.
Variable* APR5.56% - 15.27%
Fixed* APR5.20% - 15.71%
How to get your college student loan
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.
Ready to start your loan application?
See your rates today without impacting your credit score.
New 7 and 12-year repayment terms in addition to 5, 10, 15 and 20-year terms (depending on the loan you choose). See repayment examples
Start payments up to 9-months after graduation and if you need to make lower payments after graduation, consider our Progressive Repayment option.
Apply for Ascent’s Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan (for eligible juniors and seniors), or apply to release your cosigner after twelve (12) consecutive, full principal and interest payments on-time or an equivalent prepayment amount and meeting other criteria.
1.00% automatic debit discount for Ascent’s Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan (all credit-based loans are eligible for a 0.25% discount). Discount Terms & Conditions
Stay up to date with your student loan and make payments using our AscentConnect mobile app. Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
No application, origination, or disbursement fees AND there’s no penalty if you pay off your loan early.
College student loans should expand your possibilities, not limit them. That’s why Ascent offers even more ways for you to earn money throughout the year.
We’re proud to provide award-winning loans for lifelong learners.
Tips & tools for financial success
To help you borrow responsibly, we incorporate financial wellness into our student loan application process and give you exclusive access to tips and resources to prepare you for financial success in college and after graduation.
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
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.
