School is hard work, but applying for an Ascent loan is fast and easy.
You provide details like your name, school, and date of birth to see if you pre-qualify without impacting your credit score. If you have a cosigner, they’ll also enter their information.
Once you're pre-qualified, you can view your rate and monthly payment options, and choose the repayment plan that works best for you.
Ascent confirms your eligibility with a hard credit check, you provide any additional information needed, and your school confirms your enrollment.
Ascent sends your tuition to your school so you can focus on your education and bright future. When it's time to repay, we help you stay on track.
For students with a creditworthy cosigner
(No penalty for early repayment)
For parents, grandparents, guardians, and sponsors with a student attending an eligible school
(No penalty for early repayment)
For students without a cosigner who qualify based on credit and minimum income
(No penalty for early repayment)
For juniors and seniors who meet our credit criteria
(No penalty for early repayment)
Ascent provides more opportunities for you and your family to apply for private undergraduate student loans with or without a cosigner, and our parent student loans, as well as these exclusive benefits.
Get a discount when you sign up for automatic payments*. Plus, when you enroll, you never have to worry about missing a payment.
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Celebrate your success when you graduate from college by applying for a cash reward from the Ascent team.
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We’re providing access to education to as many people as possible, including DACA and international students.
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You have the flexibility to choose to start making payments before or after leaving school. We also have protections in place to help you if unexpected life events happen.
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No application, origination, disbursement, late, or NSF fees and no penalty if you pay off your loan early1.
Get your questions answered and meet your goals with access to friendly, expert help on academic, career, and finance essentials.
Learn Moreof credit-based college loan borrowers increased their credit score3
minutes of financial wellness education accessed
scholarships awarded by Ascent since 2020
Possibly the easiest process I have ever gone through in order to secure a loan.
Everyone was so helpful and nice to work with! Being a first generational College student picking a loan was scary and nerve wracking! but they made it so easy!
I've had such a struggle finding a loan and Ascent made it so simple. Not only was the process a weight lifted off my shoulders, but also ensured that I understood more about loans in general.
Check your rates without impacting your credit score.
Students from all majors at every grade level attending an eligible institution can apply for an Ascent loan.
Applying for an Ascent loan is quick and easy and usually takes just a few minutes. After you submit your application and pick the loan terms that work best for you, Ascent reviews your information and lets you know within a few business days. Once you're approved and accept your offer, your school certifies the loan before the funds are released. Every school's process is a little different, but moving through your application promptly helps everything happen smoothly so you can focus on your education.
Maximum is limited to total cost of attendance for one full academic year, less any financial aid, as certified by your school.
Minimum: $2,001 (MA: $6,001)
Max aggregate: $200,000 for Undergraduate Loans
Max per academic year: $200,000 (credit-based); $20,000 (Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based)
Not necessarily. Ascent considers creditworthiness, school, program, graduation date, major, GPA, cost of attendance, and other factors allowing eligible undergrads to potentially obtain a Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan without a cosigner. Adding a cosigner may result in a lower interest rate.
Students with DACA status or who are not U.S. citizens/permanent residents must apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner.
If borrowing all at once could perhaps increase the total cost of the loan (e.g., depending on disbursement schedules), full year borrowing may affect the total cost of your loan. Be sure to review your loan documents carefully to understand the terms.
*Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 09/01/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.5% on credit-based college student loans, 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.
**Over 220,000 borrowers took out an Ascent loan for college or career training tuition or expenses between January 2018 and March 2026.
1Only Ascent college loans are eligible for no fees. Ascent bootcamp loans are subject to a one-time origination fee of 5.0% of the loan amount. All Ascent loans are eligible for no application, disbursement, late, NSF or early payment fees.
2Ascent’s 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward is for eligible college students only and subject to terms and conditions. Eligible students must request the graduation reward from Ascent. Learn more at AscentFunding.com/CashBack. 1% Cash Back Reward amount dependent upon total loan amount for Ascent college loan borrowers; approximately $365 average reward amount based upon eligible borrowers who received Cash Back Rewards in 2023. Aggregate cash back limit of $500.
3See Ascent's 2023 Impact Report for details. Impact to score may vary. For some, scores may not improve. Results will depend on many factors, including on-time payment history, the status of non-Ascent accounts, and other financial history.
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.
Don’t miss out on a chance to win $10,000 from Ascent! No essay required.
*Students 14+. See Official Rules.
Ascent's pre-qualification process uses a soft credit check. If you pre-qualify, you’ll see your rates and repayment options with no credit impact. We’ll only continue to a hard credit check once you accept and agree to move forward with a loan option.
Make a plan with Ascent’s Student Loan Calculator
