Private Graduate Student Loans for the Next Generation of Leaders

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.

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

Ascent considers several factors which may include creditworthiness, school, program, GPA, and cost of attendance.

Ascent Graduate Student Loans are for graduate students that are at least half-time enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution.

Students applying without a cosigner must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents may apply with a credit-worthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Yes. Non-US citizens that meet certain eligibility criteria can apply for an Ascent Graduate Student Loan. 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?”)

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 the school certification or other underwriting factors.

• Minimum:  $2,001*
• Maximum (aggregate): $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.

*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.

With federal graduate student loans, you borrow money directly from the Department of Education. To apply for a federal graduate 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 graduate student loans help fill the gap between your 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.

Yes. It’s possible to get a grad school loan without a cosigner if you meet the requirements – you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have DACA status, have an income of at least $24,000 annually, and have at least 2 years of credit history, as well as meet a minimum credit score. The credit score required for a student loan varies, but you can easily check your rates and whether you need a cosigner or not.

When we send your loan disbursement, it’ll go directly to your school first. Your grad school will apply the loan to your tuition, then send any leftover funds to you. 

You can use these other funds for your books, study supplies, or even rent and groceries. 

Yes. Ascent awards over $80,000 in scholarships every year. Enter for your chance to win our monthly scholarships in 3 easy steps – no essay required. To learn more about scholarships, visit here.