Student loan borrowers face critical deadlines this September for autopay discounts, plan changes and FAFSA updates.
College borrowers must choose between variable and fixed rates when selecting a private student loan. We asked the top lenders how many actually select variable rates.
Roadblocks for today’s young adults include fewer entry-level jobs, rising debt and increasing reliance on debit cards or “buy now, pay later” loans.
Forgiveness for some but maybe not for others is what President Donald Trump’s student loan forgiveness plan is amounting to, which is sowing uncertainty...
With Republicans ending the Grad Plus program, private lenders are eyeing billions in new business, while some students could be left in the cold.
Private lenders advertise rates below 3%, but only a small group of borrowers qualifies.
Student loan borrowers are bracing for potential shifts in repayment plans, forgiveness programs and interest rates during President Donald Trump’s second term
Andrea Murzello has a doctorate in pharmacy and a stable job at a nonprofit. But she says she can’t afford to grow her family — not under the Trump administration’s.
A measure in President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” that caps federal student loans could make it harder for medical students...
Student loan borrowers should start preparing for July 1, 2026, when specific provisions of President Donald Trump’s ...
IDR applications are frozen and the Department of Education may be abolished. But there are still things you can still prepare for repayment.
Students are taking a more careful approach to their higher education amid the ...
President Donald Trump’s second term has reignited uncertainty around federal student loan policies.
Graduate and professional school students are about to experience an unprecedented ...
If you get any payment from a student per month, as low as a dollar, they will be aware of their obligation, and they will default less," says Ken Ruggiero, CEO of Ascent Funding...
One GOP senator said anyone paying more than $100K to go to med school is "making a huge mistake." But the median cost of ...
The U.S. Department of Education announced on April 21 that the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will restart its student debt ...
Student loan experts are still fully assessing the One Big Beautiful Bill’s fallouts. One is ...
As of July 2026, Americans with federal student loan debt will only have two options to pay it off: A standard repayment plan or the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
Parents often don’t realize how dramatically their role changes when their child legally becomes an adult.
A new survey looks at parents who overspend due to guilt as they balance short- and long-term financial goals.
A 15% enrollment decline is forcing students, parents, and policymakers to confront an...
The healthcare sector faces steeper labor expenses and possibly higher borrowing costs because of measures in President ...
Graduate and professional school students are about to experience an unprecedented funding gap.
Many graduate students will have to turn to private loans in the wake of federal changes, and lenders are getting creative with ...
Graduate schools are striking deals with private lenders, racing to cover a funding gap that could push some students out before ...
Industry recognition highlights Ascent’s flexible repayment options, no-fee student loans, borrower benefits, and commitment to helping students successfully finance their […]
A federal court ruling on June 25, 2026 blocked part of a new Department of Education rule just days before it was set […]
Higher education is amid a major transformation, as well as how students pay for that education. Drawing on proprietary data from Ascent Funding, a student‑loan […]
Resources to ensure students are making smart decisions about their education and financing, including future employment and long-term financial success.
Learn more about our Student ResourcesCollege and career loans with low rates, clear terms, bigger discounts¹, and flexible repayment options.
Learn more about our Student BenefitsWrap around success services to give students the skills, confidence and experience in budgeting, success habits and career readiness2.
Learn more about AscentUPIncreased income for Ascent learners by $1 billion in the last year since 2022*
Disbursed in education loans this year, including $94 million to borrowers without cosigners and more than $8 million for DACA-eligible students
Disbursed in Zero Percent Loans in 2025
*Over 220,000 borrowers took out an Ascent loan for college or career training tuition or expenses between January 2018 and March 2026.
1The final ACH discount approved depends on the borrower's credit history, verifiable cost of attendance, and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Automatic Payment Discount consists of 0.25% for credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 06/01/2025, 0.5% for credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 06/01/2025, and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based college student loans when you enroll in automatic payments. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions.
2Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.
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.
