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"Ascent makes it so easy from year to year. I can't say enough about using them, they have been so AWESOME!" – TaraLynne W.

Cover up to 100% of your student’s college expenses

Apply for a private student loan with absolutely no fees4 in under 3 minutes.

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Check your rates 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

A loan that fits your needs

Improve your student's chances of approval by applying for a cosigned private student loan.

  • No fees4
  • Competitive rates
  • 0.5% Autopay discount3
  • Access to coaching & internship support1
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Cover up to 100% of costs in under 3 minutes

  1. 1

    Apply

    You and your student provide details like name, birthdate, and school to see if you prequalify without impacting credit scores.

  2. 2

    Preview your options

    View your rate and monthly payment options, then choose the repayment plan that works best for you.

  3. 3

    Confirm your eligibility

    Ascent confirms your eligibility with a hard credit check, and the school confirms your student's enrollment.

  4. 4

    We send your tuition

    Ascent sends your student’s tuition to their school. When it's time to repay, we'll help your student stay on track.

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Ascent cares about your student’s long-term success

Our priority is the success of our borrowers. That’s why Ascent offers innovative support like access to financial wellness training, college and career coaching, and internship opportunities.

In addition to providing financial access to education, we are dedicated to giving learners the real-world resources and confidence they need to excel in college and beyond.

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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 0.5% - 1% 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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168,000+ people have trusted Ascent to provide more than just a loan

  • 82%

    of credit-based college loan borrowers increased their credit score5

  • 1.2 million+

    minutes of financial wellness education accessed

  • $355,000+

    scholarships awarded by Ascent since 2020

Hear from real borrowers

It was a simple and expeditous process to get the remaining balance of my Daughters fall tuition paid. I plan on utilizing Ascent again when needed.

Lisa G.

Before we sat down to start filling out the application for my son's college financial loan we were dreading the hassle of phone calls and the run around of filling. To our surprise it really was not painful at all, it didn't take long and was a pleasant experience! Thank you Ascent.

James D.

It was easy to apply for the loan and the process of receiving the loan and it being sent to my daughter’s school, happened sooner than I thought. I am thankful for Ascent!

Lolita Y.
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Resources for college students and families

Have questions about loans?

We have answers.

A cosigner agrees to become legally responsible to make student loan payments if, for whatever reason, the student is unable to in the future.

Here are a few common types of cosigners:

  • A parent or legal guardian
  • Aunt, uncle, or other relatives
  • Friend
  • Spouse
  • Mentor

Yes. A student can apply to release their cosigner after making the first twelve (12) consecutive, regularly scheduled full principal and interest payments on-time and meeting the other eligibility criteria to qualify for the loan without a cosigner, including meeting the program requirements for a solo student borrower.

Note: The option to apply to release the cosigner is only available to student borrowers who are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident and is not available to students who are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent citizen.

  • Ascent considers several factors which may include: creditworthiness, school, program, cost of attendance, GPA, and other factors.
  • Ascent loans are for college students (both undergraduate and graduate) who are at least half-time enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution.
  • Cosigner must be a U.S. citizen or have a U.S. permanent resident status.
  • Students may apply without a cosigner if they are a U.S. citizen or have U.S. permanent resident or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status.

Ascent’s credit decisioning criteria is proprietary and subject to change, but you can check what rates you pre-qualify for in just four (4) steps without impacting your credit score. We consider credit history and several other factors including, but not limited to, credit score:
Cosigned Credit-Based Loan

  • 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.
Check out more FAQs

Preview your options now

Check your rates without impacting your credit score.

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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 04/01/2026 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 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.

3For full eligibility requirements, visit our Borrower Benefits page.

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.

What type of loan are you looking for?

Checking your rate will not impact your credit score.

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College Loan

For students seeking their undergraduate or graduate degree from a university or college.

Apply for College Loan
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Career Training Loan

For students attending a coding career training school pursuing a degree in technology, professional training, or licensure training.

Apply for Career Training Loan