If you’re an international student looking for a loan, there are some lenders that offer loans without cosigners. These lenders will instead focus on your academic performance and future earnings potential.
Getting a private student loan without a cosigner can be difficult. Most private lenders require a credit score and a stable income to qualify for a loan.
Federal Student Loans
When financial aid and savings aren’t enough to cover the cost of education, students turn to federal student loans. These loans don’t require a credit check, proof of income or a cosigner and come with lower interest rates than most private student loans.
However, some federal student loan programs, such as Direct PLUS Loans, require a cosigner for those with adverse credit history. If you’re considering this option, make sure to do your research and compare your options carefully.
There are also several lenders who offer loans specifically for students without a cosigner. Funding U is one such lender.
Private Party Loans
If you don’t qualify for federal student loans, or if you are an international student studying in the US, private party loans may be your only option. They can help cover the gap that federal loans do not fill and can be a great alternative to other types of financial aid, such as scholarships and grants.
But before you jump into private party loans, it’s important to understand what you need to do to get them. First, you need to establish a good credit score.
Second, lenders want to see that you can pay back your loans on time and in full. Many lenders will also ask you to prove your income.
This can be a challenge for young students who have yet to build a credit history or earn a high income. But it can be done, and even if you do need to borrow without a cosigner, there are ways to increase your chances of qualifying.
Tuition Payment Plans
Tuition Payment Plans without cosigner allow you to borrow money for your tuition and fees and pay it back later with interest-only or fixed payments. These types of loans are ideal for students who can’t afford the full amount they need to cover their education.
There are several private lenders who offer student loans without cosigners. However, you need to compare your options and make sure that each lender you consider has the terms and repayment plan that will work best for you.
If you don’t have a credit score, you should start with federal loans that have lower interest rates and come with income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness programs. Plus, there are a variety of grants and scholarships that can help you reduce your total debt.
Earnest offers private student loans with no cosigner to undergraduates and graduate students who meet the minimum credit requirements. However, you’ll need to have a minimum credit score of at least 600 before you can be approved for a loan.
Credit Cards
Credit cards without cosigner can be a great way to build your credit and get rewarded for using them responsibly. However, they can also have higher interest rates than student loans, so it’s important to shop around before opening one.
Most major credit card issuers allow applicants to check for pre-approval before submitting an official application. This allows you to assess your odds of approval without affecting your credit score, which can be helpful for people with little or no credit history.
The best credit cards for students with no credit are those that offer good approval odds and good rewards. For example, the Discover it(r) Secured Credit Card has $0 annual fees and offers 1 – 2% cash back on purchases. Additionally, Discover matches all the rewards you earn in the first year of account opening.