Graduate Student Loans for the Next Generation of Leaders

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 U.S. citizens, have U.S. permanent resident status, or have DACA status. Students that are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents may apply with a credit-worthy cosigner that is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Yes. A student who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident or has Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Non-U.S. citizens are required to upload the following documentation to verify identity as applicable to their individual resident status:

1. U.S. Permanent Resident Aliens: Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I‐551); or
2. Non-Permanent Resident Aliens (temporary residents): Valid visa – acceptable forms: F-1; J-1, M-1; E-1; H-1; L-1; G series; TN-1; TN-2; OR I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 signed) AND Unexpired Passport from the country of origin; and,

In addition to 1. or 2. above, applicants must upload the following:

1. Unexpired foreign passport; and
2. A copy of a government-issued document or identification that includes your national identification number. NOTE – For countries that include the national identification number on the passport, confirmation therein is sufficient.
3. DACA status: Documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that indicates DACA status that does not expire before the end of the enrollment period for which the loan is being requested.
4. Form I-797, Notice of Action and unexpired passport from country of origin from an eligible Temporary Protected Status country from this list: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status.

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 and meeting other eligibility criteria. 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?”)

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 be best fit for 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 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.

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.