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College Loans

MBA Student Loans

You’ve been accepted to your MBA program — now it’s time to get down to business.

Check your rate without impacting your credit score.

Competitive MBA loan interest rates

Fixed APR

4.59% - 14.16%*

fixed rate preview
  • Make the same payment every month
  • Your interest rate is set the day you apply and doesn’t change

Variable APR

7.85% - 15.21%*

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  • Your payment may change each month
  • Your interest rate may vary with the market conditions

*Rates displayed above are effective as of 10/01/2024 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% on credit-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. The Full P&I (Immediate) Repayment option is only available for college loans (except for outcomes-based loans) originated on or after June 3, 2024. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Automatic Payment Discount 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 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 repayment examples below, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.

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Customizable MBA Student Loan Repayment Options

Flexible Repayment Plans (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)

*The Full P&I (Immediate) Repayment option is only available for college loans (except for outcomes-based loans) originated on or after June 3, 2024. (See Terms & Conditions.)

In-School Period

Postpone Payments

Want to see what your repayment plan and monthly payments could look like? Check out our loan repayment examples to help you make your decision.

Every graduate student’s situation is different, and Ascent’s MBA student loans are designed to empower you as you pursue your business education.

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How MBA loans work: four steps to success

You’ve already put a lot of work into preparing for your MBA. Getting the financing you need shouldn’t stop you now. We’ve streamlined our application process so you can get your funds without getting a headache.

  • Satelite
    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.

  • Astronaut
    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.

  • Clipboard
    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.

  • Moneybag
    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.

Apply Now
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Additional ways to pay for MBA school

If you’re wondering how to pay for your MBA, don’t worry — there are many options available.

You can use multiple types of loans to cover your tuition, including federal loans, private loans, and any financial aid your business school can offer. Many students first apply for graduate financial aid through the FAFSA and use private loans to cover additional costs.

Ascent also offers scholarships opportunities that can help ease your MBA finances.

Frequently asked questions about grad school

From your first application to your final payment, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way. Our 100% U.S.-based Ascent Customer Service team is here for you. Call us toll-free at 877-216-0876, email us at [email protected], or check out our top FAQs below:

No. You may not need a cosigner you’re a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status.

Ascent’s Non-Cosigned Credit-Based student loan is available for graduate students enrolled at least half-time who have more than two years of credit history and a minimum income of $24,000 annually.

If you’re having difficulty getting a loan, there may still be ways you can get a student loan without a cosigner.

Yes, international MBA students attending U.S. colleges can apply for an Ascent loan with a creditworthy cosigner. Your cosigner must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to qualify. You’ll also need to provide documentation of status as a temporary 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.

You should apply for your graduate loan after you’ve been accepted to an MBA program. Your loan amount will be calculated based on the program you’ve been accepted to. If approved, your funds will be distributed directly to your school.

It’s best to start the MBA application process at least a month before your tuition deadline to give you time to make sure your funds are in order.

Starting earlier can give you more time to work through any issues that come up and the ability to work through your budget in more detail.

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.

If you’ve gone through your budget, applied for federal aid, and taken private loans to find that you need more than your school’s official cost of attendance (COA), you have a few options. First, you can appeal to your school’s financial aid office and discuss your situation.

Second, there may be some scholarships you can use to help cover the cost — Ascent awards over $80,000 in scholarships for college and bootcamp students every year.

If these options aren’t enough, you can also explore paid internships to help contribute to your tuition or consider working part-time if you’re able to.

Yes. Many MBA school students apply for federal loans first through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), then cover additional expenses with private student loans. The federal loans available to you may consist of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans.

If your federal loans don’t cover all of your living expenses, a private student loan and scholarships may give you the relief you need.

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.

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Contact us for help with MBA student loans

If you have a question or concern about your student loans or the application process, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Our team is here for you to get the help you need for your MBA loan. Ascent also offers a variety of graduate student loans for different courses of study.

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Pursuing a Different Course of Study?

Ascent offers student loans for a myriad of career paths. Check out our other graduate student loan pages to explore your opportunities.

Graduate Loans