With the elimination of Grad PLUS, 1 in 5 master’s students will lose access to their primary source of funding, which currently provides an average of $32,000 per student annually1. Yet fewer than 4 in 10 will qualify for private loans, putting institutions at risk of unfilled seats and financial instability.
To meet your 2026–2027 enrollment goals, a new financing strategy must be in place by March 2026 to launch to students by June 1. Now is the time to evaluate revenue targets, finalize enrollment plans, and build the infrastructure your institution—and your students—will depend on.
graduate students took out Grad PLUS loans last year1.
of college students are considering canceling their plans to further their education2.
of Grad PLUS borrowers' total loans come from the Grad PLUS loan program3.
Ascent offers private graduate student loans that support individual students across a wide range of programs. These existing solutions provide flexible funding with both cosigned and non-cosigned options.
Loan options include:
Ascent is uniquely positioned to help. We’ve developed customized, flexible, school-specific lending solutions for over 100 school partners, designed to:
Our risk share model allows your school to expand access and reduce student borrowing costs. The result is a sustainable and transparent financing solution with clear, capped terms.
With Ascent your school can:
We’ve built this before. We’re ready to do it again. Ascent’s team brings decades of experience helping institutions close funding gaps.
Most other market leaders address narrow segments of demand—but lack the institutionally aligned, comprehensive financing infrastructure essential for enrollment stability.
universities trust our lending solutions
career training schools partner with us
disbursed in education loans
135,000+ people have used Ascent to pay for school*
Unlike other lenders, our priority is the success of our borrowers. That’s why Ascent offers more flexible repayment options, competitive interest rates, and personalized help so you can navigate your education and career path along the way.
Apply Now| See how Ascent compares 1 2 3 |
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Industry standard |
| Grace Period | 9 months | 6 months |
| Automatic Payment Discounts | 0.25% – 0.50% | 0.25% |
| No Fees! |
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| College & Career Coaching |
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| Access to Paid Internship Opportunities |
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| 40 Repayment Options |
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| Cash Back at Graduation |
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| DACA & International Eligibility |
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| Student & Parent Scholarship Giveaways |
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| 12-Month Cosigner Release |
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| Path to Discharge in Bankruptcy |
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Comparison based on information obtained on lender's websites as of October 2025
Apply NowThis innovative program, the most student-friendly financing of this scale, eliminates the financial risks for learners pursuing new career paths. As the manager for the investment program, Social Finance’s role is to ensure that learners build skills to match the needs of today’s economy—and realize life-changing wage gains.
My experience has been absolutely phenomenal. Ascent approved me for a loan when other lenders consistently denied me, even with a great credit score. With the help of Ascent, I am well on my way to achieving my childhood dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. I appreciate you immensely, Ascent. Thank you for making my dream possible!
I have challenged credit, and everybody (I think) in my cohort had some type of issue, whether it be credit or just upfront capital, and none of it would have been possible without your guys’ help... I wanted to give you guys some really positive feedback on how you’re making it possible for people to accomplish their goals.
Contact us today to learn more about how Ascent can support your school in a Post-PLUS world. Let’s build your plan together.
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*Over 135,000 borrowers took out an Ascent loan for college or career training tuition or expenses between January 2018 and August 2025.
1Bloomberg Law. (2025). GOP Tax Bill Would Eliminate Grad School Loans for Half Million. Retrieved from news.bloomberglaw.com/social-justice/grad-students-face-loss-of-major-loanunder-big-beautiful-bill.
2U.S. News. (2025). Survey: College Students Rethink Plans Amid Big, Beautiful Bill. Retrieved from money.usnews.com/loans/student-loans/articles/2025-politics-and-student-loanssurvey.
3Protect Borrowers. (2025). Eliminating Grad Plus Loans Without Making Higher Education More Affordable Would Be a Disaster for Students and Borrowers. Retrieved from protectborrowers.org/eliminating-grad-plus-loans-without-making-higher-education-more-affordable-would-be-a-disaster-for-students-and-borrowers/.
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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.