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.
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.
Ascent's Undergraduate 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 undergraduate loans for students.
*The minimum loan amount is $2,001, except for the state of Massachusetts. The minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001. The maximum loan amount is $200,000 for credit-based loans and $20,000 for outcomes-based loans ($200,000 aggregate total for all loans). 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.
Cosigned
Credit-Based Loan
For students with a creditworthy cosigner
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
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
Non-Cosigned
Credit-Based Loan
For students without a cosigner who qualify based on credit and minimum income
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
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
Non-Cosigned
Outcomes-Based Loan
For full-time juniors and seniors with a 3.0+ GPA and no cosigner**
**NOTE: To be eligible without a cosigner, you must meet additional eligibility and credit requirements in addition to the eligibility requirements below. A cosigner may be required if you do not meet these requirements.
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
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
*Rates displayed above are effective as of 09/01/2023 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% (for Credit-Based Loans) on the lowest offered rate and a 1.00% (for Undergraduate Outcomes-Based Loans) discount on the highest offered rate. 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 APRs require interest-only payments, the shortest loan term, and a cosigner, and are only available to our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores.
Check your rate without impacting your credit score.
We’ve got your (cash)back – and even more exclusive benefits.
Ascent provides you and your family more opportunities to apply for private undergraduate student loans with or without a cosigner, and offers these exclusive benefits:
Choose between fixed or variable interest rates.
New 7 and 12-year repayment terms in addition to 5, 10, and 15-year terms (depending on the loan you choose). See repayment examples
Start payments up to 9 months after graduation and if you need to make lower payments after graduation, consider our Progressive Repayment option.
Apply for Ascent’s Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan (for eligible juniors and seniors) or apply to release your cosigner after making 12 consecutive, full principal and interest payments on-time or an equivalent prepayment amount and meeting other eligibility criteria.
1.00% automatic debit discount for our Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan option (all credit-based loans are eligible for a 0.25% discount). Discount Terms & Conditions
Stay up to date with your student loan and make payments using our AscentConnect mobile app. Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
No application, origination, or disbursement fees AND there’s no penalty if you pay off your loan early.
1% Cash Back Reward upon graduation.
Ascent offers tips and resources that go beyond student loans to help you thrive in school and after graduation.
Ascent’s undergraduate borrowers get access to expert coaching and easy-to-use resources to help you complete your degree and launch a rewarding career. 
How to get your undergraduate student loan
You’ve already put a lot of work into preparing for college.
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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.
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Select your repayment plan
Once your completed loan application is approved, you’ll be able to view your repayment options and select the loan terms that work best for you.
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Complete your Ascent portal tasks
After you choose your loan terms, your Ascent portal will be populated with tasks to complete. These tasks include a financial wellness quiz and providing us with any additional information we need to prepare your loan.
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We pay your school
When your portal tasks are complete, we send your loan for school certification. Once certified, we’ll disburse your loan directly to your school.
When do I need a cosigner?
If you don't qualify for an undergraduate loan in your own name or for the full amount needed to cover your expenses, please consider applying with a creditworthy cosigner.
Cosigners have an obligation to make payments should you default. You can apply to release your cosigner* after making twelve (12) consecutive, full principal and interest payments on-time or an equivalent prepayment amount on-time and meeting the other eligibility criteria to qualify for the loan without a cosigner, including meeting the program requirements for a solo student borrower, as well as electing to make payments via Automatic Debit. The student borrower must make the request to release a cosigner directly with Ascent's loan servicer, Launch Servicing, or the loan holder.
*Note: The option to apply to release the cosigner is only available to student borrowers that are U.S. citizens or have U.S. permanent resident status and is not available to DACA students
How else does Ascent help students and families?
Private undergraduate student loans should expand your possibilities, not limit them. That’s why Ascent offers even more ways for you to earn money throughout the year, even if you don’t have a loan with us.
Over $60,000 in Shining Stars Scholarships awarded every year.
More than $12,000 in Community Champions Scholarships awarded every year to students making a social impact.
Up to $525 for each friend you refer to Ascent.
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.
Resources
5 Ways to Get a Loan Without a Cosigner What is Financial Wellness? 4 Student Loan Tips for College Grads Read More ›We’re proud to provide award-winning loans for lifelong learners.
Have questions about Ascent’s undergraduate loans?
We have answers.
Ascent is the leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success.
Students attending an eligible institution and enrolled at least half-time in a degree program may apply for an Ascent loan.
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 school certification or other underwriting factors.
- Minimum: $2,001*
- Maximum (aggregate total): $200,000 for Undergraduate Loans; $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 except for Ascent’s Undergraduate Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan, which has a maximum of $20,000 for the academic year.
*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.
Not necessarily. Ascent considers several factors including: creditworthiness, school, program, graduation date, major, GPA, cost of attendance, and other factors that allow for undergraduate students to potentially obtain Ascent’s Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan in their own name without a cosigner. Nevertheless, applying with a cosigner may result in a lower interest rate.
Students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status or who are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident must apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
