We’re honored to be recognized as the best international student loan for 2021.

Best international student loan award for Ascent

Why would I need an international student loan?

International student loans allow students who are non-U.S. citizens, non-U.S. permanent residents, non-Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and are legally allowed to reside in the U.S. on a temporary basis for work or study to help pay for college.

Whether you’ve considered federal student loans or not, private loans for international students with Ascent may be an option for you.

two astronauts

Undergraduate Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For students with a creditworthy cosigner (For U.S. citizens & International students)


1.64% – 9.23%


4.78% – 12.76%

View Details

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
graph and charts

MBA Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their MBA with a cosigner.


1.66% – 10.98%


4.90% – 14.52%

View Details

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 9 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
medical

Med School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their MD, DO, DVM, VMD, or DPM with a cosigner.


1.62% – 10.98%


4.63% – 14.52%

View Details

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 36 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
dental

Dental School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their DMD or DDS with a cosigner.


1.64% – 10.98%


4.79% – 14.52%

View Details

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 12 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
law

Law School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their law degree with a cosigner.


1.66% – 10.98%


4.90% – 14.52%

View Details

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 9 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
graduate

General Graduate School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international students seeking graduate loans for degree programs in allied health, nursing, pharmacy, PhD programs, and other advanced graduate degrees (MA, MS) with a cosigner.


1.66% – 10.98%


4.90% – 14.52%

View Details

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students and students with a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 9 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment

*Rates displayed above are effective as of 05/01/2022 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% on credit-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions.
**1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions, click here for details.

Do I need a cosigner for my international student loan?

Yes, students who are non-U.S. citizens, non-U.S. permanent residents and non-Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status must apply for a cosigned loan with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. If you’re a DACA (student), you may apply for an Ascent loan with or without a cosigner.

What makes a cosigner creditworthy? Ascent’s credit decisioning criteria is proprietary and subject to change, but we consider your cosigner’s credit history along with several other factors. These include, but are not limited to, credit score.

  • Your cosigner must:
    • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
    • Have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your borrower.
    • Meet a minimum gross annual income of $24,000 for the current and previous year.
    • Be able to submit satisfactory proof-of-income.
Haley with clipboard and planet

What else do I need from a citizenship standpoint to qualify for an international student loan?

In addition to a cosigner, students who are non-U.S. citizens, non-U.S. permanent residents and non-Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status must meet certain credit criteria, verify your individual resident status, and provide proof of identification:

Justice scale

Credit Score

Students must have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner.

clipboard

Resident Status

Students must upload one of the two following types of documentation verifying your resident status.

OPTION 1: Valid visa. A valid visa must not expire within 6-months of the end of the enrollment period for which the loan is being requested. Acceptable forms are as follows:

  • F-1, F-3, G Series, H-1B, H-1C, H-3, J-1, L-1, M-1, M-3, T-1, TN

OPTION 2: I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 signed) AND Unexpired Passport from country of origin

identification card

Identification

In addition to 1 and 2 above, applicants must upload both of the following:

  • A copy of an unexpired foreign passport
  • 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, you only need to upload the passport

Students must have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner.

Students must upload one of the two following types of documentation verifying your resident status.

OPTION 1:

Valid visa. A valid visa must not expire within 6-months of the end of the enrollment period for which the loan is being requested. Acceptable forms are as follows:

  • F-1, F-3, G Series, H-1B, H-1C, H-3, J-1, L-1, M-1, M-3, T-1, TN

OPTION 2: I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 signed) AND Unexpired Passport from country of origin

In addition to 1 and 2 above, applicants must upload both of the following:

  • A copy of an unexpired foreign passport
  • 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, you only need to upload the passport

Here's how it works

4 simple steps -
NO application fees.

Check your pre-qualified rates without impacting your credit score.

  1. See your pre-qualified rates
  2. Customize your loan on your terms
  3. Upload your documents
  4. We fund the loan to your school
College loan rates College repayment terms College application upload College loan disbursement letter

Have questions about private student loans for international students?
We’ve got answers.

From your cosigned loan 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.

What is Ascent?
Ascent is an innovative private student loan program that provides access to higher education funding for an expanded population of undergraduate and graduate students, while encouraging the financial wellness of students and their families. We advocate awareness of the potential financial outcomes of your higher education choices (school, major, years in school, financing your education), helping you visualize where your career could go and what it could be – encouraging better decisions today to open up greater future opportunities.
What loans can Ascent offer to international students?
Ascent offers loan products to help international undergraduate and graduate students pay for college.

  • International undergraduate students have the option to apply for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan
  • International graduate students have the option to apply for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan. Ascent created customized repayment terms for:
    • Business School (MBA)
    • Dental School (DMD, DDS)
    • Law School (JD, LLM)
    • Medical School (MD, DO, DVM, VMD, DPM)
    • General Graduate School (Health Professionals, Nursing, Pharmacy, MA, MS, PhD, etc.)

What can my international student loan be used for?
College loans for international students can cover costs associated with undergraduate or graduate programs. Like all Ascent loans, your international student loan will be paid directly to your school to cover any tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other college costs.

Check out more FAQs

Tips & tools for financial success

Don’t lose your financial freedom before you have the chance to earn it! To help you borrow responsibly, we incorporate financial wellness into our application process and give you exclusive access to tools and content to help you get set for greater financial success. Financial Wellness Tips

Helpful tips

Read more

 

Being young I don’t have a strong credit history. Ascent made it possible for me to have my own loan without the help of others - I’m thankful I found them.

Nikara M.
Western Washington University

 

It was the only decent loan provider that would except a non-cosigned loan. My loan manager helped a lot.


Robert C.
Texas A&M University

 

Ascent gave me the option to take on a loan by myself and at a decent interest rate for what my circumstances were.

Tyler P.
Keiser University

What type of loan are you looking for?

College Loan

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

Apply for College Loan

Bootcamp Loan

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

Apply for Bootcamp Loan