Planet with rings and stars

PenFed has partnered with Ascent to give you more opportunities to pay for college with or without a cosigner.

Find your best option in 4 simple steps – NO application fees.

Check your rate without impacting your credit score.

We’re proud to provide award-winning loans for lifelong learners.

nerdwallet best of awards 2024
forbes advisor best private student loans 2024
Best of Awards 2024
Editors Choice Award Ascent Badcredit.org

Ascent's Student Loans

Ascent helps you cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance and other school-related expenses (up to $200,000*) at over 2,200 colleges nationwide by offering loans for students.

*The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance, and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information.
Astronauts

Cosigned

Credit-Based Loan

For students with a creditworthy cosigner (For U.S. citizens, DACA & international students)

Variable* APR 5.66% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR 3.69% - 14.56%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status
  • Must have an eligible cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
  • International students also may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. - See eligibility requirements.

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment
  • Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
Astronaut with flag

Parent

Credit-Based Loan

For parents, grandparents, guardians, and sponsors with a student attending an eligible school

Variable* APR 5.71% - 15.92%
Fixed* APR 4.95% - 15.96%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Must be a parent, grandparent, guardian, or sponsor 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

REPAYMENT OPTIONS

  • Interest-Only Repayment
  • Immediate Repayment
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

Astronaut

Non-Cosigned

Credit-Based Loan

For students that qualify based on income & credit (Must be a U.S. citizen or and DACA student)

Variable* APR 8.70% - 14.07%
Fixed* APR 8.49% - 13.91%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S.permanent resident or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status with a valid social security number
  • Must have at least 2 years of credit history and meet credit and minimum income requirements

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment
  • Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
Astronauts

Non-Cosigned

Outcomes-Based Loan

For juniors & seniors with a 3.0+ GPA & no credit score**

Variable* APR 13.21% - 15.16%
Fixed* APR 13.05% - 15.04%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled as a junior or senior full-time OR half-time within 9-months of graduation at an eligible school
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status with a valid social security number
  • Must maintain GPA of 3.0+ AND meet your school’s Satisfactory Academic Performance (SAP)

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 10 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
MBA

MBA

Student Loans

For graduate students persuing their MBA with or without a cosigner.

Variable* APR 7.51% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR 4.69% - 14.56%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status with or without an eligible cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

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

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Medical

Medical School

Student Loans

For graduate students persuing their MD, DO, DVM, VMD, or DPM with or without a cosigner.

Variable* APR 7.51% - 14.97%
Fixed* APR 4.69% - 14.56%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status with or without an eligible cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 36 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 36-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months
Dental

Dental School

Student Loans

For graduate students persuing their DMD or DDS with or without a cosigner.

Variable* APR 7.51% - 14.97%
Fixed* APR 4.69% - 14.56%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status with or without an eligible cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 12 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 12-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months
Law

Law School

Student Loans

For graduate students persuing their JD or LLM with or without a cosigner.

Variable* APR 7.51% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR 4.69% - 14.56%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status with or without an eligible cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

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

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Graduate student

General Graduate

Student Loans

For graduate students persuing their MA, MS, PhD, or other graduate school programs with or without a cosigner.

Variable* APR 7.51% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR 4.69% - 14.56%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status with or without an eligible cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

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

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Astronauts

Cosigned

Credit-Based Loan

For students with a creditworthy cosigner

Variable* APR 5.66% - 14.72%
Fixed* APR 3.69% - 14.56%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status
  • Must have an eligible cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
  • International students also may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. - See eligibility requirements.

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment
  • Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
Astronaut with flag

Parent

Credit-Based Loan

For parents, grandparents, guardians, and sponsors with a student attending an eligible school

Variable* APR 5.71% - 15.92%
Fixed* APR 4.95% - 15.96%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Must be a parent, grandparent, guardian, or sponsor 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

REPAYMENT OPTIONS

  • Interest-Only Repayment
  • Immediate Repayment
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

college students talking

Tips & tools for financial success

To help you borrow responsibly, we incorporate financial wellness into our student loan application process and give you exclusive access to tips and resources to prepare you for financial success in college and after graduation.

What are others saying about Ascent?

Dive into the experience now!

Discover expert tips and best practices to pay for college, including:

This quick and interactive guide gives parents, guardians, students, and cosigners the confidence to navigate college financing.

Have questions about student loans?

We have answers.

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.

Ascent offers loan products to help undergraduate and graduate students pay for higher education.

 

  • Undergraduate students have the option to apply for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan, Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loan or Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan (for eligible juniors and seniors – see eligibility requirements.)
  • Graduate students have the option to apply for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan or Non-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.)

The Ascent Student Loan program provides more opportunities to qualify for a loan with a cosigner or without a cosigner. . Ascent also offers credit-based loans for graduate students. Ascent loans are competitively priced. You can choose from affordable fixed or variable rates, customize your repayment terms, and pay off your loan early without any penalty. In addition, Ascent offers benefits that can help save money with a 1% Cash Back Reward upon graduation and an Automatic Payment Discount of at least 0.25% for Credit-Based Loans and in some cases up to 1.00% for Undergraduate Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loans. The Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month.

Not necessarily. Ascent considers several factors, including: creditworthiness, school, program, graduation date, major, cost of attendance, and other factors that allow for students to potentially obtain a loan in their own name without a cosigner. Nevertheless, applying with a cosigner may result in a lower interest rate.

Students that are a U.S. citizen or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status may apply without a cosigner.  Students that are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident may apply with a creditworthy cosigner that is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Check out more FAQs