Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t worry – our pre-qualification process uses a soft-inquiry tool that won’t affect your credit. If you pre-qualify for an Ascent loan, you’ll see your exact rates and repayment options with no impact on your credit. We’ll only continue to a hard credit check once you accept and agree to move forward with a loan option.

Your pre-qualified rate and final rate after hard credit check may differ depending on changes to your credit score in the interim. Please note that a hard credit check may impact your credit score, and typically will stay on your credit report for about 2 years.

Interest rates are based on different criteria depending on the type of loan you’re applying for:

• Cosigned Credit-Based Loans: When applying with a cosigner, we consider both the student’s credit score and the credit score of your cosigner. Both credit scores, as well as your chosen repayment plan and loan term, are used to determine your interest rate, and your cosigner must meet minimum income requirements to be eligible.
• Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loans: For this loan option, only the student’s credit score is considered, along with their chosen repayment plan and loan term. The student must have a two-year credit history and a minimum credit score as well as meet minimum income and debt-to-income requirements to be eligible.
• Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan (eligible undergraduate juniors and seniors only): If a student has no credit score, their rates are created based on their chosen repayment plan. If a student meets the minimum credit score, with or without two years of credit history, their score may be used to calculate your interest rate.

For more information, please visit our Repayment Examples.

The quicker you move through your tasks, the quicker the process will be. As soon as you’re finished with your tasks, we can send your loan application to your school for certification. Then, your school will review your application and set your disbursement dates.

Your school may certify your college loan for a lower amount and/or change your graduation dates or disbursement dates, which will require you to accept the new terms. If your school fails to certify your loan, it will be denied.

You have several monthly payment options, including automated payments! After you are approved for a loan, we’ll help you set up your repayment account with our loan servicer. Launch Servicing and Aspire are the loan servicers for Ascent’s bootcamp loans. Our servicers send your statements, process payments, and help you with any payment questions.

To make payments and manage your account from anywhere, visit and download the AscentConnect mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and login using the same credentials as your Ascent account.

You are also able to make payments on or ask questions about an existing loan, visiting AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com or by calling 877-209-5297.

Ascent offers private student loans to help undergraduate and graduate students pay for college.

• 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.)

Ascent’s college loans provide more opportunities to qualify for a loan with a cosigner or without a cosigner. Ascent’s award-winning Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan (for undergraduate juniors and seniors only) considers more than just a credit score; to give students the opportunity to qualify for a loan without a cosigner. Ascent also offers credit-based loans for graduate students. Ascent’s college 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 with our college loans 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. (See Automatic Payment Discount Terms & Conditions.)

Ascent offers a Student Success program, which is a two-tier program for students applying for Ascent undergraduate loans and for Ascent undergraduate borrowers. To learn more about the program, visit AscentFunding.com/Student-Success

Yes, borrowers are eligible to receive the following incentives with Ascent’s college loans:

• Automatic Payment Discount: Borrowers can get either a 0.25% (for Credit-Based Loans) or 1.00% (for Undergraduate Outcomes-Based Loans) interest rate reduction if payments are made by automatic payment. 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. (See Automatic Payment Discount Terms & Conditions.)
• 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward: Borrowers are eligible to receive a 1% Cash Back Reward after graduation and upon meeting certain qualifying criteria. Learn More »
• Refer A Friend in College: Earn up to $525 for each friend in college you refer – There’s no limit to what you can earn! See below for additional details or Learn More »
• Student Success Program: All Ascent undergraduate loan applicants gain Tier 1 access to the digital success program. Tier 2 access to one-on-one coaching is granted for one year to students whose Ascent undergraduate loans are funded. Please see our Terms of Use for more details on eligibility. Learn More »

For full details about Ascent’s Refer A Friend Program for college students, visit AscentFunding.com/Refer.

Here is how you can start referring your friends in college:

• Sign in or create an Ascent account
• In your Ascent Refer A Friend account, Referral Page, find your unique referral code
• Share your unique referral code with friends who need a private student loan via social media, text or email

Here’s the breakdown:

• You can earn $25 if someone you refer to Ascent submits an application using your referral code and is conditionally approved for a college loan. This requires that the applicant be new to Ascent and that the applicant completes and submits the application as required.
• You can earn an additional $500 if your friend’s college loan application is approved and is funded.
• Your referred friend can earn $100 if the loan application is approved and the loan is funded.
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Open only to individuals who have created an account with the Ascent college loan program at AscentFunding.com, are legal residents of the U.S. or District of Columbia (excluding Vermont and Michigan) and are at least 18 years of age.

Don’t worry – our pre-qualification process uses a soft-inquiry tool that won’t affect your credit. If you pre-qualify for an Ascent loan, you’ll see your exact rates and repayment options with no impact on your credit. We’ll only continue to a hard credit check once you accept and agree to move forward with a loan option.

Your pre-qualified rate and final rate after hard credit check may differ depending on changes to your credit score in the interim. Please note that a hard credit check may impact your credit score, and typically will stay on your credit report for about 2 years.

Interest rates are based on different criteria depending on the type of loan you’re applying for:

• Cosigned Credit-Based Loans: When applying with a cosigner, we consider both the student’s credit score and the credit score of your cosigner. Both credit scores, as well as your chosen repayment plan and loan term, are used to determine your interest rate, and your cosigner must meet minimum income requirements to be eligible.
• Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loans: For this loan option, only the student’s credit score is considered, along with their chosen repayment plan and loan term. The student must have a two-year credit history and a minimum credit score as well as meet minimum income and debt-to-income requirements to be eligible.
• Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan (eligible undergraduate juniors and seniors only): If a student has no credit score, their rates are created based on their chosen repayment plan. If a student meets the minimum credit score, with or without two years of credit history, their score may be used to calculate your interest rate.

For more information, please visit our Repayment Examples.

Yes. Non-U.S. citizens who meet certain eligibility criteria can apply for an Ascent college or bootcamp loan. Please see the required documentation and cosigner requirements below.

Permanent Resident

Required Documents:

• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (If expired, provide extension letter)
• Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply as a solo applicant, or with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner

Temporary Resident:

Required Documents:

• Unexpired VISA with an acceptable category as follows:F-1, F-3, G-1, H-1B, H-1C, H-2B, H-3, J-1, L-1, M-1, M-3, T-1, TN
• Social Security Card

The following documents may also be submitted in lieu of a VISA and Social Security Card

• I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 signed) (if applicable)
• Unexpired Passport from country of origin


• *Temporary Protected Status:
• See here for eligible countries: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
• Required Documents:
• Form I-797, Notice of Action
• Unexpired Passport from country of origin
• Social Security Card (if applicable

Cosigner requirements: You can apply with a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident cosigner.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

Required Documents:

• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card with your name and a C33 category code
• If expired or in process we need a Form I-797, Notice of Action or written notice of DACA and employment authorization
• Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply as a solo applicant, or with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner

NOTE: The option to apply to release the cosigner after making twelve (12) consecutive full principal and interest payments on-time or an equivalent prepayment amount while also meeting the other eligibility criteria to qualify is only available to student borrowers that are U.S. citizens or have U.S. permanent resident status or DACA status. (See FAQ, “Can I eventually remove the cosigner from my loan?”)

Students enrolled full-time or at least half-time at an eligible institution may qualify. Certain limitations may apply for such applicants that apply without a cosigner.

For applicants approved for our Cosigned Credit-Based Loan or Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loan, you may qualify when enrolled in a degree program at least half-time at an eligible institution. For applicants approved by for our Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan, you must be enrolled full-time*.

*Applicants graduating within 9-months may be enrolled half-time under Ascent's Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan

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.

• Cosigned Credit-Based Loan for undergraduate and graduate students
  • Student borrowers must have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner.
  • Cosigners must have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your borrower.
• Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loan for undergraduate and graduate students
  • Student borrowers must have more than two (2) years of credit history with a minimum credit score.
• Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan for undergraduate (juniors and seniors ONLY)

• If you are an undergraduate student borrower with or without a cosigner AND have less than two (2) years of credit history, OR a graduate student borrower with a cosigner:
  • There is no minimum income requirement. See NOTE below.
• If you are a student borrower without a cosigner and have at least two (2) years of credit history.
  • You will be tested against the following criteria to determine your eligibility for the most favorable rates and terms available:
    • Minimum gross annual income of $24,000
    • Must meet a monthly debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
• If you are a cosigner:
  • Must meet a minimum gross annual income of $24,000

• Minimum: $2,001*
• Maximum (aggregate): $200,000 for Undergraduate Loans; $400,000 for Graduate Loans
• Maximum for academic year:
• 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 a 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 are a U.S. citizen or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status may apply without a cosigner. Students who are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. (See FAQ, “Can students that are Non-U.S. citizens apply for an Ascent college loan?”)

• Variable Rate: A variable rate means your actual interest rate could be lower or higher during your loan term than the rate you are given while completing the loan application.
• Fixed Rate: A fixed rate means your interest rate will not increase or decrease while you are making monthly payments until your loan is paid in full. It will stay the same for the life of the loan.

Choosing a fixed rate versus a variable rate is entirely up to you but be sure to do your research beforehand on what will be the best fit for your journey to financial wellness.

Ascent’s credit decisioning criteria is proprietary, but you can check what rates you pre-qualify for in just four (4) steps without impacting your credit score.

• The interest rate is based on a number of factors and may be lower for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan compared to a Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan.
• You will know your exact interest rate percentage (for a fixed rate loan) after applying and selecting a repayment option.
• Applicants must select an interest rate option prior to accepting the loan offer.

Ascent’s college loans use a variable interest rate that is adjusted using the 30-day SOFR average.

(See FAQ, “What is SOFR?” for more info.)

Note: For all applications submitted for variable rate loans from Ascent on or after January 1, 2022, the benchmark or index used to determine the interest rates for those loans will be based on SOFR. Learn more.

“LIBOR” stands for London Interbank Offered Rate. LIBOR is a benchmark rate that some of the world’s leading banks charge each other for short-term loans and is among the most common interest rate indices used to make adjustments to variable rate consumer loans.

LIBOR is being phased out and will eventually be unavailable for use with any consumer loan products. As a result, we’re working diligently to implement a replacement index.

New variable rate Ascent loans applied for on or after January 1, 2022, will use the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) as the benchmark index, which will be reflected in your loan documents.

Existing variable rate Ascent loans that use LIBOR as the benchmark index will continue to use LIBOR until we convert these loans to a replacement index, likely SOFR, at some point in 2022.  We will keep you updated with important information about this conversion.

“SOFR” stands for the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. SOFR is a benchmark rate that is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY), which is based on the overnight borrowing costs of banks. The rate is determined based on the previous night’s activity on the U.S. Treasury repurchase (repo) market.

New variable rate Ascent loans applied for on or after January 1, 2022, will use the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) as the benchmark index, which will be reflected in your loan documents.

Due to changes in global markets as well as concerns about the accuracy and reliability of LIBOR in today’s global economy, regulators are retiring LIBOR and requiring that financial institutions transition to a different index.

For more about SOFR and LIBOR, click here.

If you are looking for information regarding your Ascent college loan application in process or pending disbursement(s):

• Download the AscentConnect mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and login using the same credentials as your Ascent account.
• Visit College.AscentFunding.com to log into your Ascent portal
• Call Ascent Customer Service directly at 877-216-0876

If you have questions about an existing loan, such as payment, deferment or forbearance information, please contact our loan servicer, Launch Servicing, at 877-209-5297 toll-free or log into the repayment portal at AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com.

Yes. You can apply to release your cosigner after making the first twelve (12) consecutive, regularly scheduled full principal and interest payments 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 Launch Servicing or the loan holder. For full eligibility requirements, visit our Borrower Benefits page.

Note: The option to apply to release the cosigner is only available to student borrowers who are a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and is not available to students who are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent citizen.

1. Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
2. Must have at least 2-years of credit history with non-student loan trades and meet minimum credit score requirements. The minimum score is subject to change and may depend on the score of the student borrower.
3. Must meet a minimum gross annual income requirement of $24,000 for at least the 12-months prior to the loan application
4. Be able to submit proof of income satisfactory under applicable program guidelines and procedures

The quicker you move through your tasks, the quicker the process will be. As soon as you’re finished with your tasks, we can send your loan application to your school for certification. Then, your school will review your application and set your disbursement dates.

Your school may certify your college loan for a lower amount and/or change your graduation dates or disbursement dates, which will require you to accept the new terms. If your school fails to certify your loan, it will be denied.

The timeline for certification is dependent on your college. For now, all you need to do is sit back and relax while your college reviews the certification request. You can contact your school to ask about the status of your certification if you need more information.

Once the certification is returned, you’ll need to accept your final loan terms. Be sure to keep an eye on your dashboard and email for any notifications.

• You may be eligible for the following repayment options if you:
  • Apply with a cosigner; (or)
  • Apply without a cosigner and have more than two (2) years credit history, meet the minimum credit score, are prequalified, and have a minimum gross annual income of $24,000

• Interest-Only Repayment: The Interest-Only Repayment option requires that while the student is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution, and during the Grace Period, the borrower will pay at least the interest that accrues on the loan each month. Upon graduation or if no longer enrolled at least half-time, the borrower will make full principal and interest payments for the remaining term of the loan.
• $25 Minimum Repayment: The $25 Minimum Repayment option requires that while the student is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution, and during the Grace Period, the borrower will pay a monthly payment of at least $25. Upon graduation or if no longer enrolled at least half-time, the borrower will make full principal and interest payments for the remaining term of the loan. Any unpaid interest will accrue and capitalize upon entering full principal and interest repayment.
• Deferred Repayment: The Deferred Repayment option allows for the borrower to postpone principal and interest payments on the loan while the student is at least half-time enrolled at an eligible institution. Interest accrues during this in-school period and is capitalized upon entering repayment. Repayment begins once the grace period ends, after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution (either by graduation or otherwise). The in-school and grace period varies depending on the Ascent loan type as indicated below:

• Terms: Flexible 5-year, 7-year, 10-year, 12-year, 15-year or 20-year repayment terms may be available depending on the loan options you select. There’s no penalty for early repayment. Ascent borrowers who choose a loan term of 20 years WILL ONLY receive a variable interest rate. For certain loans with low balances, the minimum monthly payment amount may cause the loan amortization schedule to be less than the selected term.
• You may be eligible for the following repayment options if you:
  • Apply without a cosigner and DO NOT meet the current income or credit requirements

• Deferred Repayment: The Deferred Repayment option allows for the borrower to postpone principal and interest payments on the loan while the student is at least half-time enrolled at an eligible institution. Interest accrues during this in-school period and is capitalized upon entering repayment. Repayment begins once the grace period ends, after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution (either by graduation or otherwise). The in-school and grace period varies depending on the Ascent college loan type as indicated below:  

• Upon graduation or if you're no longer enrolled at least half-time in school, you may be eligible to customize your repayment plan with the Progressive Repayment option. Ascent’s Progressive Repayment option helps make payments more affordable for students who are making payments on their Ascent loan upon graduation or are no longer enrolled at least half-time. If you submitted an Ascent college loan on or after 05/17/2019, you may be eligible for Ascent’s Progressive Repayment option allowing you to reduce your current monthly payment that would gradually increase over time so that the loan would be fully paid off within the original loan term.

• If you choose the Deferred Repayment plan, you will not be required to make payments until your grace period ends. The first payment due is typically thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days thereafter. Repayment begins once the grace period ends, after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution (either by graduation or otherwise). The grace period varies depending on the Ascent college loan product:
  • 9-month grace period for Ascent Undergraduate, MBA, Law, and Graduate and Health Professionals Loans.
  • 12-month grace period for Ascent Dental Loans.
  • Up to 36-month grace period for Ascent Medical Loans.
• If you choose the “Interest-Only” or “$25 Minimum” repayment plans, the first payment due is typically thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days after the first disbursement on the loan. (See FAQ, “What are my Repayment Options and Terms?”)

Monthly payments are based on the loan amount, repayment term, interest rate and the selected repayment plan. Please see Ascent’s college loans’ repayment examples.

You can get either a 0.25% (for Credit-Based Loans) or 1.00% (for Undergraduate Outcomes-Based Loans) interest rate reduction (depending on loan terms) if payments on your Ascent loan are made by automatic payment. The Automatic Payment Discount is available if you are enrolled in automatic payments from your personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. (See Automatic Payment Discount Terms & Conditions.)

Ascent’s Progressive Repayment option helps make payments more affordable for students who are making payments on an Ascent college loan upon graduation or are no longer enrolled at least half-time. If you submitted an Ascent college loan on or after 05/17/2019, you may be eligible for Ascent’s Progressive Repayment option allowing you to reduce your current monthly payment that would gradually increase over time so that the loan would be fully paid off within the original loan term. To calculate your adjusted monthly payment amounts under the Progressive Repayment Option, please contact Ascent's loan servicer, Launch Servicing, directly after your loan has been disbursed:

Ascent Funding, LLC

c/o Launch Servicing, LLC

P.O. Box 91910 | Sioux Falls, SD 57109

Phone: 877-209-5297

Email: [email protected]

Website: AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com

• Active Duty Military Deferment
• In-School Deferment
• Residency / Internship Deferment
• Temporary Hardship Forbearance
• Administrative Forbearance
• Natural Disaster / Declared Emergency Forbearance

• Active Duty Military Deferment is available up to a cumulative limit of 36-months.
• This deferment DOES extend the repayment term.

• This deferment DOES extend the repayment term.

• Has been accepted into a Residency / Clerkship / Internship / Fellowship program which must
  • Require that the student hold at least a bachelor’s degree before acceptance into the program; or
  • Must be a supervised training program that either:
    • Leads to a degree or certificate from an institution of higher education, a hospital, or a health facility that offers postgraduate training, or
    • Is required before the student may be certified for professional practice or service, which must be verified by the relevant state licensing agency.
• This deferment DOES extend the repayment term.

• This forbearance DOES extend the repayment term.

• This forbearance DOES extend the repayment term.

• This forbearance DOES extend the repayment term.

Ascent college loans are private education loans and, therefore, generally cannot be discharged like other forms of unsecured consumer debt in a bankruptcy petition without proving “undue hardship” and an extra step in the process called an “adversary proceeding.”

For new Ascent college loans originated beginning June 5, 2023 (“Eligible Ascent Loans”), we have created a process for discharge that does not require a showing of an “undue hardship.” For Eligible Ascent Loans, a borrower or cosigner may obtain a discharge after either (a) making sixty (60) regularly scheduled full principal and interest payments or (b) being in default for five (5) years, if the following conditions (outlined in the terms of your promissory note) are met:

• List Eligible Ascent Loans in bankruptcy petition and schedules;
• File an adversary proceeding complaint seeking to declare the Eligible Ascent Loans dischargeable pursuant to Section 523(a)(8) of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Complaint”);
• Serve the Complaint and an accompanying summons in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;
• Include in the Complaint a sworn statement signed by borrower/cosigner that all statements in the Complaint are true and accurate and that the proceeds of the Eligible Ascent loan were used solely to pay for qualified higher education expenses (as defined by IRS code); and
• The court must grant an order for discharge.

You have several monthly payment options, including automated payments! After you are approved for a loan, we’ll help you set up your repayment account with our loan servicer. Launch Servicing and Aspire are the loan servicers for Ascent’s bootcamp loans. Our servicers send your statements, process payments, and help you with any payment questions.

To make payments and manage your account from anywhere, visit and download the AscentConnect mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and login using the same credentials as your Ascent account.

You are also able to make payments on or ask questions about an existing loan, visiting AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com or by calling 877-209-5297.

• Save on interest: If you’re using autopay, you receive a 0.25% or 1.00% reduction in the interest rate on your loan (depending on loan type)!
• Avoid stress and late fees. With autopay, your monthly loan payments are automatic, so you’ll never have to worry about missing a loan payment or paying late fees.
• Protect your credit: Making monthly, on-time payments on a loan is one of the best ways to help maintain your credit health. Autopay protects your credit by making sure you pay your loan on time every month.

• Visit and download the AscentConnect mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and login using the same credentials as your Ascent account.
• Visit AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com or by calling 877-209-5297. If you applied for your loan on or before June 9, 2019, visit Aspire online or call 1-800-243-7552.

• Ascent’s bootcamp loans are consumer loans tailored for those seeking to transform their career at a bootcamp or an accelerated learning program. Private student loans are typically only available for qualified education expenses as defined by the IRS.
• Private student loan interest payments may be tax deductible, but bootcamp interest payments are not. You may want to consult your tax advisor to determine how this will affect you.
• Bootcamp loans may be treated differently in the event of a borrower's or cosigner’s bankruptcy.
• Ascent’s private college loans may be eligible for cosigner release, while the bootcamp loans are not.

The quicker you move through your tasks, the quicker the process will be. As soon as you’re finished with your tasks, we can send your loan application to your school for certification. Then, your school will review your application and set your disbursement dates.

Your school may certify your college loan for a lower amount and/or change your graduation dates or disbursement dates, which will require you to accept the new terms. If your school fails to certify your loan, it will be denied.

The timeline for certification is dependent on your college. For now, all you need to do is sit back and relax while your college reviews the certification request. You can contact your school to ask about the status of your certification if you need more information.

Once the certification is returned, you’ll need to accept your final loan terms. Be sure to keep an eye on your dashboard and email for any notifications.

• Ascent’s bootcamp loans are consumer loans tailored for those seeking to transform their career at a bootcamp or an accelerated learning program. Private student loans are typically only available for qualified education expenses as defined by the IRS.
• Private student loan interest payments may be tax deductible, but bootcamp interest payments are not. You may want to consult your tax advisor to determine how this will affect you.
• Bootcamp loans may be treated differently in the event of a borrower's or cosigner’s bankruptcy.
• Ascent’s private college loans may be eligible for cosigner release, while the bootcamp loans are not.

At Ascent, we partner with schools we believe in and help students pay their tuition and living expenses. We’ve now helped thousands of bootcamp students afford career training programs and raised the bar for quality and outcomes in education!

In partnership with leading schools, we’ve created a financing platform that is both transparent and student-first. We’re proud of the work we do!

• For private student loans, interest paid may be tax deductible. For consumer loans for bootcamps, interest is not tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor to determine if this applies to you.
• Consumer loans for bootcamps may be treated differently in the event of a borrower bankruptcy.
• Private student loans may typically only be used for qualified education expenses as defined by the IRS.

The quicker you move through your tasks, the quicker the process will be. As soon as you’re finished with your tasks, we can send your loan application to your school for certification. Then, your school will review your application and set your disbursement dates.

Your school may certify your college loan for a lower amount and/or change your graduation dates or disbursement dates, which will require you to accept the new terms. If your school fails to certify your loan, it will be denied.

The timeline for certification is dependent on your college. For now, all you need to do is sit back and relax while your college reviews the certification request. You can contact your school to ask about the status of your certification if you need more information.

Once the certification is returned, you’ll need to accept your final loan terms. Be sure to keep an eye on your dashboard and email for any notifications.

To start the online loan application, click “Apply Now” in the top right corner of this website. Or visit your school’s Ascent partnership page to see more details about the loan options for your program before applying.

You can apply for an Ascent bootcamp loan to see if you pre-qualify without any impact to your credit score. After you pre-qualify, you’ll preview your monthly payments and repayment plan options. Once you choose a plan, we’ll run a hard credit check to confirm your eligibility so you can finalize your loan.

Our goal at Ascent is to help students from all walks of life and with a broad range of backgrounds get access to the programs that interest them. We offer two possible ways to qualify for an Ascent loan: on your own or with a cosigner.

To see if you pre-qualify for an Ascent bootcamp loan, submit an application. In the pre-qualification process, we’ll conduct a soft credit check with no impact to your credit score. In addition to learning more about your eligibility, you can also see the rates and terms you pre-qualify for.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status with established credit history and no outstanding education loan defaults. U.S. temporary residents may apply with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Adding a cosigner can help strengthen your application’s overall credit health, and even help lower your loan’s interest rate, APR, or monthly payments.

Yes. Non-US Citizens who meet certain eligibility criteria can apply for an Ascent College or Bootcamp Loan. Please see the required documentation and cosigner requirements below.

Permanent Resident

Required Documents:

• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (If expired, provide extension letter)
• Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply as a solo applicant, or with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner

Temporary Resident:

Required Documents:

• Unexpired VISA with an acceptable category as follows:F-1, F-3, G-1, H-1B, H-1C, H-2B, H-3, J-1, L-1, M-1, M-3, T-1, TN
• Social Security Card

The following documents may also be submitted in lieu of a VISA and Social Security Card

• I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 signed) (if applicable)
• Unexpired Passport from country of origin


• *Temporary Protected Status:
• See here for eligible countries: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
• Required Documents:
• Form I-797, Notice of Action
• Unexpired Passport from country of origin
• Social Security Card (if applicable

Cosigner requirements: A U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner will be required with your application.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

Required Documents:

• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card with your name and a C33 category code
• If expired or in process we need a Form I-797, Notice of Action or written notice of DACA and employment authorization
• Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner

Yes. You can add a cosigner to your loan. There are two ways to qualify for an Ascent bootcamp loan: on your own, or with a cosigner. Depending upon your credit health, a cosigner might be required. Cosigners may strengthen your application’s overall credit health. In some scenarios, adding a cosigner may reduce your interest rate and lower your payments. If you’re concerned about your eligibility for an Ascent loan, consider adding a cosigner with strong credit health.

You can choose to add a cosigner before you submit your loan application or may be given the option to add a cosigner after you apply.

If you’d like to add a cosigner when you apply, you can select this option in the application. If your cosigner is with you, they can start their portion of the application right away. If not, we’ll send them an email asking them to complete their part. Your cosigner’s portion of the application will look very similar to yours.

We’ll keep you and your cosigner updated on the status of your application throughout the process. You’ll receive an email or a notification in the application if you or your cosigner have any required steps to take.

For bootcamp tuition, you can apply for as little as $2,000* up to the maximum tuition for your school, program, and location, but not to exceed $40,000 in total borrowing with Ascent bootcamp loans. Depending on your program, you might have the option to borrow living expense funds, which you can use to help cover your living costs. You need to apply for at least $2,000* in tuition to add living expenses.

To see the options for your program before you apply, visit your school’s Ascent partnership page. If you need to lower your loan amount or cancel after you apply, we can help!

*For Ascent's Short-Term Loan borrowers, the minimum loan amount is $1,000 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

You can apply for an Ascent bootcamp loan at the same time as applying for scholarships – in fact, we recommend it! Scholarships are a great way to supplement your funding. You can also apply for a loan if you already have a scholarship, or even if you plan to apply for scholarships in the future.

If you receive a scholarship after you apply for a loan, we can easily lower your loan amount before we send your tuition funds to your school. To request a loan decrease, log in to your Ascent portal or email [email protected] with the amount of your scholarship. If you need to lower your loan amount after your funds have been sent, you can simply apply your funds to your loan balance at any time without prepayment penalty.

Although we can decrease your loan amount, we can’t increase your loan amount. If you apply for less than the maximum tuition and then realize you do need more funds, please log in to your Ascent portal and submit a new application.

We work with our bootcamp partner schools to ensure students have access to competitive financing. To see the fixed interest rates and APRs currently available for your school and program, visit your school’s Ascent partnership page.

To see if you pre-qualify for an Ascent loan, submit an application. In the pre-qualification process, we’ll conduct a soft credit check with no impact to your credit score. In addition to learning more about your eligibility, you can also see the rates and terms you pre-qualify for.

• You will be charged a one-time origination fee of 5.0% of your loan amount for an Ascent bootcamp loan. This will be added to the amount you borrow and is included in the total loan principal amount you finance. It helps cover the administrative fees associated with originating the loan. It is the only fee charged for taking out this loan, and it is factored into your loan’s Annual Percentage Rate (APR).
• For Ascent’s Zero Percent Loan, you will not be charged an origination fee.

Depending on your program, you might have the option to borrow funds for living expenses, which you can use to help cover your living costs while attending your program.

In most cases, you’ll apply for your tuition and living expenses at the same time with just one application. When you apply, you’ll find two fields for loan amounts in the application: one for tuition and one for living expenses. Enter the amount you would like to borrow for each. You need to apply for at least $2,000* in tuition financing to add living expenses financing.

Some eligible programs offer a separate Living Expense Loan, which allows you to borrow $1,500/month during your program. To apply for a Living Expense Loan for an eligible program, you must have a Deferred Tuition Loan application in progress or have been approved for a Deferred Tuition Loan, and you must submit your application before your cohort begins. Simply submit your Deferred Tuition Loan application to gain access to the Living Expense Loan application.

To see if funds for living expenses are available for your school and program, visit your school’s Ascent partnership page.

*For Ascent's Short-Term Loan borrowers, the minimum loan amount is $1,000 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

No. You need to apply for at least $2,000* in tuition financing to add living expenses financing.*

*For Ascent's Short-Term Loan borrowers, the minimum loan amount is $1,000 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

Depending on your school and program, you’ll have the choice between several repayment plans. Your repayment plan will determine how and when you’ll repay your loan.

• Deferred Repayment: You’ll make no payments while you’re in school and for three months after. Then you’ll start making full payments (interest + principal).
• Interest-only Repayment: you’ll start making smaller interest-only payments roughly one month after your program begins. Three months after your program ends, you’ll start making full payments (interest + principal).
• Immediate Repayment: You’ll start making full payments (interest + principal) roughly one month after your program starts.
• Outcomes Loans or Deferred Tuition Loans: If you meet certain eligibility requirements, you can make no payments for up to a year after you complete your program, or when you receive a qualifying job offer as determined by the Thinkful Tuition Refund Guarantee, Springboard Job Guarantee, or Bloomtech Tuition Refund Guarantee. Afterwards, you’ll start making full payments (interest + principal). This option is only available for programs at Thinkful, Springboard, and Bloomtech (additional terms apply).
• Zero Percent Loan: You’ll make no payments for at least three months after you exit your program. Then you’ll start making full monthly payments. If you do not find a qualifying job as determined by your school, you can request to defer repayment. Only available for programs at certain schools (additional terms apply).

Before you apply, you can preview the loan options available for your school and program.

Yes! Ascent offers two deferred options for bootcamp loans to help you focus on your education and job search. To see if these options are available for your school and program, visit your school’s Ascent partnership page.

• Deferred Repayment: You’ll make no payments while you’re in school and for three months after. Then you’ll start making full payments (interest + principal). This option is available at most of our bootcamp partner schools.
• Outcomes Loans or Deferred Tuition Loans (only available at Thinkful, Springboard, and Bloomtech): If you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll make no payments for up to a year after you complete your program, or when you receive a qualifying job offer as determined by the Thinkful Tuition Refund Guarantee, Springboard Job Guarantee, or Bloomtech Tuition Refund Guarantee. Then you’ll start making full payments (interest + principal). This option is only available for programs at Thinkful, Springboard, and Bloomtech (additional terms apply).
• Zero Percent Loan: You’ll make no payments for at least three months after you exit your program. Then you’ll start making full monthly payments. If you do not find a qualifying job as determined by your school, you can request to defer repayment. This is only available for programs at certain schools (additional terms apply).

No. You can reduce your total cost by making early payments! This is a benefit we hope our borrowers take advantage of. When you apply for a loan, we show you as many details as we can upfront. One of those details is the total cost of the loan, which is the total amount you’ll pay over the scheduled lifetime of the loan. Our calculation of the total cost assumes that you will pay off your loan by making monthly on-time minimum payments for your entire loan term, which is either 36 or 60 months. The total cost includes (1) the origination fee of 5% of your loan amount, (2) the loan amount, and (3) the interest accrued over the lifetime of the loan. Ascent’s Short Term Loan offers 12-month and 24-month loan terms.

With our loans, you can make early payments or fully pay off your loan at any time with no prepayment fees. Many of our borrowers graduate from their programs, land jobs, and pay off their loans early! This is a financially smart move, because if you make early payments, you’ll accrue less interest over the lifetime of your loan. In summary – we don’t hold you to the total cost you see in your loan offers. If you make early payments, you can reduce the interest you accrue, which reduces your loan’s total cost!

You have several monthly payment options, including automated payments! After you are approved for a loan, we’ll help you set up your repayment account with our loan servicer. Launch and Aspire are the loan servicers for Ascent’s bootcamp loans. Our servicers send your statements, process payments, and help you with any payment questions.

To pay your loan or ask questions about an existing loan visit AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com or call 877-209-5297. If you applied for your loan on or before June 9, 2019, visit Aspire online or call 1-800-243-7552.

For customers financially impacted by COVID-19, our servicers offer forbearance options.

If your job or income has been affected by COVID-19 and you are concerned about your ability to make loan payments, we encourage you to reach out to your loan servicer to learn about your options.

Ascent works with two loan servicers, and both are ready to help those who have been financially impacted.

• Visit AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com or call 877-209-5297 if you applied for your loan on or after June 10, 2019.
• Visit Aspire online or call 1-800-243-7552 if you applied for your loan on or before June 9, 2019.

While it is our hope that every student graduates and finds an awesome job in their chosen field, we understand that other circumstances may intervene.

If you are owed a refund by your school, Ascent will follow your school’s refund policies. Please refer to your school’s policies and agreements.

Regarding your tuition: You are responsible for the full amount you borrow, plus accrued interest and fees. If you are owed a refund by your partner school, the refund transaction will be made to Ascent in the amount of the refund due (but in no event greater than what that we paid to the school on your behalf). If there is a balance on your loan after any applied refund, you will be required to immediately start making monthly payments for the balance.

For Deferred Repayment, Interest-Only Repayment, or Immediate Repayment Loans, you will immediately begin making full (interest + principal) payments when you withdraw from your program. For Outcomes Loans or Deferred Tuition Loans, you will have a 3-month grace period after withdrawing from your program before you begin making payments.

Regarding any borrowed living expense funds: Because you’ve received the funds, you’re responsible for repaying them to Ascent. If there is a balance on your loan after any applied refund, you will be required to immediately start making monthly payments for the balance.

• Save on interest: If you’re using autopay, you receive a 0.25% reduction in the interest rate on your loan!
• Avoid stress and late fees. With autopay, your monthly loan payments are automatic, so you’ll never have to worry about missing a loan payment or paying late fees.
• Protect your credit: Making monthly, on-time payments on a loan is one of the best ways to help maintain your credit health. Autopay protects your credit by making sure you pay your loan on time every month.

• Visit and download the AscentConnect mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and login using the same credentials as your Ascent account.
• Visit AscentFunding.LaunchServicing.com or by calling 877-209-5297. If you applied for your loan on or before June 9, 2019, visit Aspire online or call 1-800-243-7552.

In order to be eligible for coaching through Ascent’s Student Success Program, the student borrower must be an undergraduate who is new to Ascent and has taken out an Ascent student loan since May 1, 2019. Ascent's consumer loans for bootcamps and graduate student loans do not qualify borrowers for this program.

All Ascent undergraduate loan applicants gain Tier 1 access to the digital success program. Tier 2 access to one-on-one coaching is granted for one year to students whose Ascent undergraduate loans are funded. Please see our Terms of Use for more details on eligibility.

Ascent offers this program to applicants for free as an investment in their educational and professional success because when you succeed, we succeed.

The Student Success program is a free benefit of applying for and/or taking out an Ascent undergraduate loan. When your free access period of one year ends, no fees will be charged and your membership will expire unless you take an action to extend your access. Please see our Terms of Use for more details on eligibility.

Success coaching empowers people to grow academically and professionally by building effective habits, guiding them to resources, and developing the skills they need to turn their goals into reality.

Our success coaches can assist you in making a unique plan to do well in college, including choosing a major, teaching time management tips, sharing budgeting strategies, and more. Your success coach can also help you prepare for your career with resume advice, how to choose a career that’s best for you, and additional tips for jump-starting your career after college.