Thanks for coming from NerdWallet.

Nerdwallet Best Student Loan for independent students

Ascent’s award-winning, non-cosigned undergraduate loans.

See if you qualify in minutes with 4 easy steps.

See My Rates
(Check your rate without impacting your credit score.)

Non-Cosigned

Credit-Based Loan

For students that qualify based on income & credit
(Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or DACA recipient)


8.21% – 13.57%


8.29% – 13.76%

 

  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • Must be a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status
  • Must have more than two (2) years of credit history with a minimum credit score – 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 for the current and previous year; and
    • Must meet a monthly debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

  • 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

Non-Cosigned

Outcomes-Based Loan

For juniors & seniors with a 2.9+ GPA & no credit score**
(Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or DACA recipient)


12.87% – 14.81%


12.98% – 14.93%

 

**NOTE: No score means insufficient credit history to produce a score. If you have a score it must meet a minimum score required.

  • Enrolled full-time OR graduating within the next 9 months
  • Maintain GPA of 2.9+ AND meet your school’s satisfactory academic performance (SAP)
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status

  • 10 or 15-Years

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school.

*Rates displayed above are effective as of 07/01/2025 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.

A woman wearing wired headphones, smiling and typing on a laptop

Am I eligible for a outcomes-based student loan without a cosigner?

Student borrowers with no credit score, as well as student borrowers that pass the minimum credit requirements but don’t meet the income or repayment capacity requirements may qualify on the basis of several alternative factors which may include: school, program, graduation date, major, GPA, cost of attendance, and other factors that could allow for students to obtain a non-cosigned outcomes-based private student loan in their own name. Such borrowers must:

  • Be a college junior or senior enrolled full-time (or with an expected graduation date within 9-months of the date the loan application is submitted) in a degree program at an eligible institution.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have U.S. permanent resident status or DACA recipient.
  • Have satisfactory academic performance of 2.9 GPA or greater.
  • Be at least 18 years of age or at the age of majority in the respective state of residence.

How it works
4 simple steps –
NO application fees.

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

Ascent puts students first

Non-cosigned loan options

You may pre-qualify for a student loan without a cosigner and build credit in your own name.

Flexible payment options

Choose from affordable fixed or variable rate, customize your repayment terms, and pay off your loan early without any penalty.

Benefits that put you first

Cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance. Plus, you can get 1% cash back and a discount if you set up automatic payments.

Have questions about private student loans without a cosigner?
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:



What are the credit requirements for an Ascent Student Loan without a cosigner?
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:

 

  • Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loan
        • Student borrowers must have more than two (2) years of credit history with a minimum credit score.

     

  • Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan
    • Eligible student borrowers with no credit score, or eligible students that meet a minimum credit score with or without two (2) years of credit history. (See Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan eligibility requirements.)

What are the Ascent income requirements for students without a cosigner?
If you are a student borrower with or without a cosigner AND have less than 2 credit history:

  • THERE IS NO MINIMUM INCOME REQUIREMENT. Instead, they are evaluated based on their school of attendance, program, major, GPA and other criteria that does not consider current annual income.

If you are a student borrower without a cosigner and have at least 2 years credit and make a gross annual income of $24,000:

  • You will be tested against the following criteria to determine your eligibility for the most favorable rates and terms available:
      • Must meet a monthly debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.
      • Must submit satisfactory proof-of-income.

NOTE – Ascent applicants without a cosigner AND less than two (2) years of non-student loan credit history are not tested against any minimum current annual income criteria.  Instead, they are evaluated based on their school of attendance, program, major, GPA and other criteria that does not consider current annual income.   

Can I qualify for an Ascent loan without a cosigner if I’m not full-time?
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.

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 »

We’re proud to provide award-winning loans for lifelong learners.

nerdwallet best of awards 2024
Best of Awards 2025
Editors Choice Award Ascent Badcredit.org
Lendedu

New lower rates on college loans, starting at 3.09% APR*

Apply Now

*See rates and repayment examples