How much can I take out in loans?

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.

Are loans for dental school worth it?

When you take an Ascent loan, you’ll also have a wealth of financial resources available to you to help you succeed and develop a plan to tackle your debt after dental school. We also award more than $80,000 in scholarships each year to students. Only you can decide if dental school loans are worth it for you. If you decide to go to dental school, Ascent is here to support you.

What are the credit requirements for a dental school loan?

The credit requirements for an Ascent loan is subject to change and your credit requirements may depend on whether you’re applying with a cosigner or not. You can check what rates you qualify for without impacting your credit score.

How do dental school loans work?

Dental school loans with Ascent work in 4 easy steps. After you’ve been accepted to your dental school, you can begin the application for your loan. Once you’ve pre-qualified for your loan, you can accept the loan and customize your repayment options. We’ll keep you updated on additional tasks and documents that need to be uploaded. Finally, your dental school will certify your approved loan amount and your funds will be sent directly to your school – any money that doesn’t go toward your school’s necessary funds will be sent to you to cover additional expenses.

Can international students get loans for dental school?

Yes. Ascent’s graduate loans are available for international students attending U.S.-based institutions. To apply for a dental school student loan as an international student, you’ll need to apply with a creditworthy cosigner. Your cosigner must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. DACA students may apply on their own with the proper documentation or with a qualified cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Do you offer scholarships for medical school?

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.

Dental School Loans | Ascent Graduate Student Loans

When federal loans fall short, Ascent has your back

Get the funding you need with no fees, transparent terms, and flexible repayment built for your dental career. We’ve helped over 220,000 people fund their education^* – we’re ready to help you too.

No fees

Save more with zero fees on dental school loans

Easy repayment

Postpone payments for up to 5 years post-graduation so you can focus on your training¹

Quick process

Pay your tuition, fees, and expenses so you can keep moving forward

More access

Options for cosigned and non-cosigned, DACA, and international students

Not sure how much to borrow? See how changes to federal Grad PLUS program could affect your financing options. Calculate Your Funding Gap

Get pre-qualified in minutes, choose your repayment plan, and stay focused on your future.

You’ve worked hard enough to get into dental school, so we’ve made it easy to fund it. Applying for an Ascent private student loan is fast and simple.

Submit an application to see if you pre-qualify without impacting your credit score
Preview your repayment options and choose the plan that works best for you
Ascent confirms your eligibility with a hard credit check, and your school confirms your enrollment
Ascent sends your tuition to your school so you can focus on your training

Repay on your schedule

Make repayment work for you. Ascent’s options allow you to ease the transition into residency, with the flexibility to pay more later as your income grows. Postpone full principal & interest payments for up to 5 years post-graduation¹, or make early payments without fees or penalties.

Plus, get a 0.5% discount on your interest rate by using Autopay².

Choose how you want to pay

Deferred Repayment

Defer payments in school & 12-month grace period after graduation.
$25 Minimum Repayment

Make small payments in school & 12-month grace period after graduation.
Interest-Only Repayment

Make larger payments in school & 12-month grace period after graduation.
Immediate Repayment

Start making full payments right away.

Once your grace period ends, you can use up to 48 months of additional deferment for any specialized residency program¹. View repayment examples or apply now to see your customized rate & repayment options.

A smarter way to finance dental school

We don't just fund your loan, we care about helping you achieve a stable financial future.Ascent provides financial literacy support, flexible repayment options, no fees, and a quick, straightforward processwith financing you can count on.

Possibly the easiest process I have ever gone through in order to secure a loan.

Vincent B.

Everyone was so helpful and nice to work with! Being a first generational College student picking a loan was scary and nerve wracking! but they made it so easy!

Natalie G.

I've had such a struggle finding a loan and Ascent made it so simple. Not only was the process a weight lifted off my shoulders, but also ensured that I understood more about loans in general.

Emily S.

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Frequently asked questions about dental school student loans

From your first application to your final payment, we're committed to helping you every step of the way. Our 100% U.S.-based customer service team is here for you.

How long will the application process take?

Have the following information at the ready to complete your application in just a few minutes:

Social Security Number (SSN)
Employment Information: rent/mortgage, estimated annual income
Amount of financial aid received: i.e. scholarships and grants
Requested loan amount

Submit an application today with no impact to your credit score. View your rates and repayment options once you pre qualify.

What repayment plans are available?

Choose from several repayment plans, including the option to defer payments until after graduation. Or, get started on repayment early. Preview your rate and payments by submitting an application without any impact to your credit.

Repayment plans:

Deferred repayment allows you to wait to start loan payments until after graduation.
$25 Minimum Repayment allows you to get started by making small payments while you're still in school.
Interest-Only Repayment is for students who want to make larger interest-only payments while in school.
Immediate Repayment is for students who want to make full payments (principal + interest) on their loan right away.

No matter your choice of repayment plan, you can reduce your interest rate by opting in to Autopay², and you can choose to make early payments or fully pay off your loan without any prepayment fees.

For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions.

When will I begin repayment?

Depending on your repayment plan, Ascent's dental loans include a standard 12-month grace period for graduates after graduation, allowing you to postpone payments during a standard residency period. After the 12-month grace period, you can use up to 48 months of additional In School/Residency/Clerkship/Internship/Fellowship Deferment for any specialized residency program.

This means you could graduate from your program, defer payments for up to 60 months (5 years) while you complete your residency, and then begin repayment.

If you don't complete your program or drop to less-than-half-time status, the grace period is 9 months.

For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions.

What borrower protections are available?

We know unexpected events can happen. Ascent offers flexible repayment plans designed for the dental school timeline, deferment and forbearance options, ease of discharge in bankruptcy, no late fees, and more. If you borrow with a cosigner, we also offer a 12-month cosigner release. For more information, including eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, please visit here.

Can I reduce my interest rate with Autopay?

Yes, get a 0.5% discount on your rate when you sign up for automatic payments². Plus, when you enroll, you never have to worry about missing a payment. This option is available even if you choose a Deferred Repayment plan – just make an automatic payment of at least $1/month and qualify for the interest rate discount.

Do you offer scholarships for dental school?

Yes. To learn more about scholarships, visit here.

Can I take out federal loans for dental school?

Yes. Many dental school students apply for federal loans first through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), then cover additional expenses with private student loans. If your federal loans don't cover all of your expenses, a private student loan and/or scholarships may give you the relief you need.