Ascent’s Parent Student Loans help parents, guardians, and sponsors pay for their students' education and invest in their financial future. Check your rate in minutes with no application or origination fees.
Check your rate without impacting your credit score.
Apply 100% online and check your parent loan status 24/7 using our AscentConnect mobile app.
There are no application, origination, or disbursement fees AND there’s no penalty if you pay off your loan early.
Choose between 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15-year loan terms. Plus, receive a 0.5% discount when you enroll in automatic payments.*
*Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 08/06/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 06/01/2025, a 0.5% discount on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 06/01/2025, and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based college student loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans 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 (Immediate) 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 examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
Preparing for college is hard work, but applying for a Parent Student Loan is fast and easy.
We ask you to provide important information such as your name, address, date of birth, and employment information, as well as some information about your student.
Once your completed loan application is approved, you'll review your loan details and select the loan terms that work best for you.
After you choose your loan terms, complete any loan application tasks in your Ascent portal.
When your tasks are complete, we’ll send your loan for school certification. Once certified, we’ll disburse the funds directly to the school.
Check your rate today without impacting your credit score.
Apply NowAscent offers even more ways for you and your student to earn money throughout the year.
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You can refer other parents, students, and friends - all you need to do is share your custom referral link.
The best thing about Ascent is the fact that they make the process easy. I was able to do everything online and the money was sent directly to my school.
They talked to me and helped me out in the most possible way. They made sure I got the most that I possibly could.
Ascent was great because they were able to answer all of my questions. They made getting to college a lot easier for me.
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.
You can apply for Ascent’s parent student loan by submitting your application and providing information such as your name, address, date of birth, and employment information. You’ll also need to provide basic information about your student, such as the school they’re attending.
Once your completed loan application is approved, you'll review your loan details and select the loan terms that work best for you. After choosing your loan terms, you must complete any loan application tasks in your Ascent portal.
When your tasks are complete, we’ll send your loan for school certification. Once certified, we’ll disburse the funds directly to the school. If you’re ready to get started, click here.
When you apply for an Ascent parent student loan, you’ll need to provide information such as your name, address, date of birth, and employment information. You’ll also need to provide basic information about your student such as the school they’re attending.
After applying, be sure to check your Ascent portal for any application tasks you must complete to keep your loan application moving along.
Parents, grandparents, guardians, or sponsors of an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an eligible school can apply for Ascent’s parent student loan. Eligible borrowers must:
The difference between private student loans with a cosigner and taking out a Parent Loan revolves around the party financially responsible for paying back the loan.
When you cosign a student loan, the cosigner agrees to take equal responsibility for repaying the loan, along with the student borrower. When you take out a parent student loan, (you) the parent, grandparent, guardian or sponsor, are solely responsible for repaying the loan.
No. Not all schools are eligible to certify a Parent Loan. Parents, guardians, grandparents, or sponsors should confirm with their student's school if their school is able to certify a Parent Loan.
Yes, parents can take out a student loan for their child by using federal Parent PLUS Loans or private Parent Loans from lenders like Ascent. These loan options are for parents, guardians, grandparents, or sponsors to borrow on behalf of their student without having their student as a co-borrower.
A Parent PLUS Loan is a federal loan offered by the U.S. Department of Education to parents of dependent undergraduate students. It requires a credit check but has no strict income requirements. Interest rates are fixed, and repayment starts immediately unless deferred. However, it comes with origination fees and fewer repayment options.
A private Parent Loan is issued by Ascent or other private lenders. These loans often have competitive fixed or variable interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and no origination fees. Approval is based on creditworthiness, and parents may qualify for lower rates compared to federal loans.
Learn more about a Parent PLUS Loan option by visiting the FAFSA website.
Yes, a parent’s credit score plays a major role in qualifying for a private Parent Loan. Ascent evaluates your credit history, income, and debt-to-income ratio to determine approval and interest rates.
A higher credit score typically leads to lower interest rates, reducing the overall cost of borrowing. Parents with lower scores may still qualify but could be offered higher rates.
It depends on the loan. Federal Parent PLUS Loans require immediate repayment, but parents can request deferment while their student is enrolled at least half-time.
Private Parent Loans can offer more flexibility. Some lenders allow parents to defer payments until after their student graduates, while others offer interest-only payments or full repayment options right away. Choosing the right plan depends on your budget and long-term financial goals.
The primary advantages of private Parent Loans vs. federal Parent PLUS Loans are:
However, federal loans can qualify for loan forgiveness under certain circumstances and income-driven repayment options, so it’s important to consider your financial situation and compare both options before deciding.
If you’re struggling to make payments on your Parent Loan, reach out to your loan servicer right away. Ascent offers temporary relief options such as forbearance or modified payment plans.
Missing payments can increase what you owe and lead to default, which negatively affects your credit, so communication with your loan servicer is the best first step.
With a Parent Loan, you can typically borrow up to the full cost of attendance for your student’s school minus any other financial aid they receive. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other education-related expenses. Loan amounts must be certified by your school prior to disbursal.
Ascent does not offer refinancing at this time.
Checking your rate will not impact your credit score.
For students seeking their undergraduate or graduate degree from a university or college.
For students attending a coding career training school pursuing a degree in technology, professional training, or licensure training.
We can help — big or small. Whether it's unexpected surprises like supplies, books, laptops, tuition or more — Ascent loans can help cover up to 100% of school costs.