We’re honored to be recognized as the best international student loan for 2021.

Best international student loan award for Ascent

Undergraduate Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For students with a creditworthy cosigner
(For U.S. citizens & International students)


5.98% – 15.63%


4.48% – 15.27%

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

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

MBA Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their MBA with a cosigner.


6.99% – 15.88%


5.48% – 15.52%

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 9 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months

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

Med School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their MD, DO, DVM, VMD, or DPM with a cosigner.


6.53% – 15.88%


5.33% – 15.52%

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 36 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months

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

Dental School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their DMD or DDS with a cosigner.


6.85% – 15.88%


5.48% – 15.52%

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 12 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months

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

Law School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their law degree with a cosigner.


6.99% – 15.88%


5.48% – 15.52%

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 9 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months

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

General Graduate School Cosigned

Credit-Based Loans

For international students seeking graduate loans for degree programs in allied health, nursing, pharmacy, PhD programs, and other advanced graduate degrees (MA, MS) with a cosigner.


6.99% – 15.88%


5.48% – 15.52%

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • International students and students with a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

  • Postpone payments up to 9 months after graduation

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months

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

*Rates displayed above are effective as of 06/01/2023 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% for credit-based loans and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions.

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.

Am I eligible with a cosigner?

Yes. Individuals may apply as a borrower or cosigner based on their citizenship status as follows:

  • U.S. Permanent Residents – as a solo borrower, as a cosigner or as a borrower with a qualified cosigner.
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status – as a solo borrower or as a borrower with a qualified cosigner.
  • U.S. Temporary Residents – as a borrower with a qualified cosigner only.

 

Documentation requirements: The following are documentation will be required to verify your individual resident status:

  • For U.S. Permanent Residents: Provide a Permanent Resident Card.
  • For DACA status: Provide documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that indicates DACA status that does not expire within 6-months of the end of the enrollment period for which the loan is being requested.
  • For U.S. Temporary Residents:
    A VISA that does not expire within 6-months of the end of the enrollment period for which the loan is being requested. with an acceptable category as follows:  F-1, F-3, G Series, H-1B, H-1C, H-3, J-1, L-1, M-1, M-3, T-1, TN
    OR
    An I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 and signed by the school) and an unexpired passport from country of origin.

How it works
4 simple steps –
NO application fees.

Check your pre-qualified rates without impacting your credit score.

Have questions about private student loans for international students?
We’ve got answers.

From your first application to your final payment, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way. Our 100% U.S.-based Ascent Customer Service team is here for you. Call us toll-free at 877-216-0876,email us at [email protected], or check out our top FAQs below:



Who is Ascent?
Ascent Funding is an award-winning lender, committed to revolutionizing how you pay for higher education at colleges and coding bootcamps. Ascent empowers students from all economic backgrounds and disciplines (including DACA students) to maximize the return on their education with resources such as our  Bright Futures EngineBootcamp Selector, and financial wellness tips. To set students up for success, we offer scholarships (over $80,000 this year) and exclusive benefits for students.
What loans can Ascent offer to international students?
Ascent offers loan products to help international undergraduate and graduate students pay for college.

  • International undergraduate students have the option to apply for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan
  • International graduate students have the option to apply for a 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.)

Do I need a cosigner if I am an international student?
Yes. 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.

Ascent’s credit decisioning criteria is proprietary and subject to change, but you can check what rates you pre-qualify for in just four (4) steps without impacting your credit score.  We consider credit history and several other factors including, but not limited to, credit score.

  • Your cosigner must:
    • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
    • Have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your borrower.
    • Minimum gross annual income of $24,000 for the current and previous year; and
    • Must submit satisfactory proof-of-income.

Tips & tools for financial success

Don’t lose your financial freedom before you have the chance to earn it! To help you borrow responsibly, we incorporate financial wellness into our application process and give you exclusive access to tools and content to help you get set for greater financial success. Financial Wellness Tips »