Private Educational Loans for Parents

Private parent student loans are made simple and easy.

Fast and easy
online application

Apply 100% online and check your parent loan status 24/7 using our AscentConnect mobile app.

Experience no fees
(and no hidden surprises)

There are no application, origination, or disbursement fees AND there’s no penalty if you pay off your loan early.

More repayment term options
and discounts

Choose between 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15-year loan terms. Plus, receive a 0.5% discount when you enroll in automatic payments.^*

Choose from affordable fixed or variable rates

Fixed APR

5.35% - 15.86%^*

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

Variable APR

5.55% - 15.26%^*

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

^*Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 06/01/2025 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.

How to get your parent student loan

Preparing for college is hard work, but applying for a Parent Student Loan is fast and easy.

Step 1

Submit your pre-qualification

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.

Step 2

Customize your loan details

Once your completed loan application is approved, you'll review your loan details and select the loan terms that work best for you.

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.

Step 4

We pay the school

When your tasks are complete, we’ll send your loan for school certification. Once certified, we’ll disburse the funds directly to the school.

Ready to start your loan application?

Check your rate today without impacting your credit score.

Apply Now

How else does Ascent help you and your student?

Ascent offers even more ways for you and your student to earn money throughout the year.

Ascent has awarded over $355,000 in scholarships.

You and your student can enter for a chance to win one of our monthly scholarship giveaways.

Earn cash back with our Ascent Rewards program.

Earn money for each college student you refer.

You can refer other parents, students, and friends - all you need to do is share your custom referral link.

What are others saying about Ascent?

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.

Anjellica C. Northern Arizona University

They talked to me and helped me out in the most possible way. They made sure I got the most that I possibly could.

Rnajee M. Mississippi State University

Ascent was great because they were able to answer all of my questions. They made getting to college a lot easier for me.

Grace G. Simmons College

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. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

FAQs about Ascent’s Parent Student Loan

We have answers.

What is a parent student loan?

A private parent student loan is designed for parents, grandparents, guardians, and sponsors with a student working towards an undergraduate or a graduate degree or certification education at an eligible school.

How do I apply for a parent student loan?

You (the parent, grandparent, guardian, or sponsor) 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.

What do I need to apply for a parent student loan?

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.

Who is eligible to apply for a parent student loan?

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:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with an eligible student who is enrolled less than half-time, half-time or full-time at a degree-granting, Title IV, Ascent eligible school
Meet the minimum credit score and income requirements

What’s the difference between cosigning a student loan and taking out a parent student loan?

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.

Are all schools eligible to certify Parent Loans?

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.

Private Educational Loansfor Parents

Private parent student loans are made simple and easy.

Fast and easy online application

Experience no fees (and no hidden surprises)

More repayment term options and discounts