Student loans are valuable resources that can assist students in covering the costs of furthering their education. Tuition, class materials, and room and board may all be covered by student loans. Student loan eligibility conditions, interest rates, prices, and features can vary greatly and are determined at the discretion of the lender. The finest student loans include affordable interest rates, flexible payback terms, and savings for features such as autopay.
Contents
- Best Student Loans
- Credible
- Ascent
- Citizens Bank
- SoFi
- Sallie Mae
- College Ave
- Final Verdict
- Compare Lenders
- Shopping Tips
- Federal Vs. Private
- Private Loan Pros & Cons
- What Is A Student Loan?
- How Do Student Loans Work?
- Is Interest Tax Deductible?
- Methodology
Best Student Loans
- Best Site for Comparing Student Loan Offers: Credible
- Best Overall Lender: Ascent
- Runner Up for Best Lender: Citizens Bank
- Best for Graduate Students: SoFi
- Best for Co-Signers: Sallie Mae
- Best for Flexible Repayment Options: College Ave
BEST SITE FOR COMPARING STUDENT LOAN OFFERS - Credible
STARTING INTEREST RATE: 1.19%1 MIN CREDIT SCORE: Not disclosed TERMS: 5-20 yearsWhy We Chose It
You’ll save time by comparing numerous student loan rates and terms in one location with Credible.Pros & Cons
Pros
- In one spot, you may compare numerous student loan options.
- See rates and pre-qualified offers without affecting credit
- Request loan offers with or without a cosigner
- Research lenders further through Credible’s reviews
Cons
- Some borrowers might not receive pre-qualified student loan rates
- Some lenders don’t provide pre-qualified rates
Overview
Credible is our pick since it provides you with a personalized table with up to eight lender offers to evaluate, and you’ll be directed to a lender’s website to submit a student loan application. This is how it works: You’ll make a legitimate account and fill out a little form with your details. Credible will match you with student loan offers based on this information. This simply requires a mild draw on your credit record, implying that it will not harm your credit. Credible lending partners provide student loan variable APRs ranging from 1.19 percent to 11.98 percent and fixed APRs ranging from 3.20 percent to 14.52 percent. They also do not charge origination or processing fees for student loans. Loan periods range from five to twenty years, with loans available for undergraduate and graduate students with or without a cosigner.BEST OVERALL LENDER - Ascent
STARTING INTEREST RATE: 1.64%2 MIN CREDIT SCORE: Not disclosed TERMS: 5-20 yearsWhy We Chose It
Ascent provides affordable interest rates and undergraduate student loans that do not require a co-signer.Pros & Cons
Pros
- Graduated repayment
- 1% cash-back graduation reward
- Non-co-signer student loan option
Cons
- No loan options specific to oldsters
- No student loan refinancing options
- Lower loan limits
Overview
Ascent offers affordable interest rates and is the only lender on our list that offers student loans, particularly for undergraduate applicants without a cosigner. Ascent provides undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students with non-cosigned student loans. For undergraduates, this includes a “future income-based student loan.” Rate offers, however, may be higher than those on co-signed loans. Both sorts of loans come with a 0.25% rate of interest discount when enrolled in autopay. If you have a cosigner, you will release them from the loan after 24 months of on-time payments. For undergraduate and graduate loans, the payback lengths are 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years. The lender offers some repayment options, including full in-school deferment until six months after graduation and low-cost, in-school repayment. When a borrower graduates and passes certain qualifications, Ascent will give them a tenth cash-back incentive on their initial loan sum. In addition to credit, income, and other financial information lenders utilize to evaluate candidates; Ascent also considers your school and program, GPA (you’ll need a minimum of a 2.9), graduation date, major, and similar factors. Deferment or forbearance petitions are also possible for active-duty military, school enrollment, internships, or financial difficulty.RUNNER UP FOR BEST LENDER - Citizens Bank
STARTING INTEREST RATE: 1.99%3 MIN CREDIT SCORE: Not disclosed TERMS: 5-15 yearsWhy We Chose It
Citizens Bank offers cheap interest rates and multi-year loan terms on their student loans. It also provides several repayment choices.Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rate reductions of up to 0.50 percent for autopay and Citizen account holders.
- Borrowing becomes easier over time with multi-year permission.
- Options for folks and graduate students
Cons
- No specific options for loans without a cosigner
- Co-signer and discounts are required for the lowest rates
Overview
Citizens Bank provides some of the best student loans with the lowest interest rates. Borrowers can apply for various loans with potentially low-interest rates after registering in autopay and opening a new account with Citizens Bank (such as a checking or savings account). Interest rates differ depending on whether you are a student or a parent, as well as whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. After removing your first Citizens Bank student loan, multi-year approval also makes it easier to access additional student loans. Citizens Bank student loans include terms of five, 10, or 15 years, and you’ll borrow between $1,000 and $350,000 over time, counting on your degree, level of education, and if your parents are borrowing on your behalf. Borrowers can choose one among three repayment options:- Full immediate repayment
- Interest-only payments while in class
- A full in-school deferment
Citizens Bank Student Loan Details
Undergraduate Fixed APR 3.47% - 9.35% with autopay Graduate Fixed APR 4.47% - 9.49% with autopay Refinance Fixed APR 3.75% to 8.64% with autopay Refinance Variable APR 1.99% to 8.39% with autopayBEST FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS - SoFi
STARTING INTEREST RATE: 1.89%4 MIN CREDIT SCORE: Not disclosed TERMS: 5-15 yearsWhy We Chose It
Graduate students can benefit from SoFi membership features such as career counseling. It also includes a couple of various pricing savings.Pros & Cons
Pros
- Access to career guidance and financial planning is provided at no cost.
- Built-in unemployment insurance
Cons
- Not hospitable to international students (except with a US Co-signer)
Overview
SoFi takes the lead here for offering a number of the best graduate student loans, including an MBA loan from a school of law. SoFi’s lowest stated rates include 0.25 percent off for autopay and 0.125 percent off for SoFi membership. With SoFi, you can discover more about the rates that may be available to you, and at Credible, you may compare offers from several lenders. Furthermore, SoFi offers powerful membership advantages that will bring a lot of value to graduate students, such as free career counseling and financial planning. Its Unemployment Protection program can also suspend student loan payments for up to 12 months if you are laid off for no fault of your own. SoFi also provides refinancing for student loans. There are four repayment options available, including full in-school deferral with no costs. And if you’ve got a co-signer, you’ll apply to release them after 24 on-time payments. Borrowing options are also available for undergraduates and fogeys, with autopay and membership discounts.SoFi Student Loan Details
Undergraduate Fixed APR 3.47% to 11.16% with autopay Undergraduate Variable APR 1.89% to 11.92% with autopay Graduate Fixed APR 4.60% to 11.16% with autopay Graduate Variable APR 2.59% to 11.82% with autopay MBA/Law Fixed APR 4.43% to 11.01% with autopay MBA/Law Variable APR 2.64% to 11.77% with autopay Refinance Fixed APR 3.49% to 7.99% with autopay Refinance Variable APR 1.74% to 7.99% with autopayBEST FOR CO-SIGNERS - Sallie Mae
STARTING INTEREST RATE:1.62%5 MIN CREDIT SCORE: Not disclosed TERMS:5-15 yearsWhy We Chose It
To co-sign a loan for a student, Salli Mae provides multiple co-signor alternatives as well as clear, forgiving requirements.Pros & Cons
Pros
- No specified maximum loan amount limit
- Free access to your FICO Score
- Open to international students
Cons
- No student loan refinancing options
Overview
Sallie Mae receives the distinction of the lender with the easiest student loans for co-signers due to its various alternatives and straightforward co-signer rules. It also helps that it provides low-interest rates on loans for students who enroll in autopay and choose in-school repayment. Sallie Mae’s private student loan for students, the Smart Option Student Loan, has the lowest payback period to qualify for the co-signer release. Borrowers can request for co-signer discharge after just 12 months of on-time, full payments. If you co-sign a Sallie Mae student loan, you’ll have your own login to access, manage, and pay the account. Almost any creditworthy individual is frequently used as a co-signer with this lender.; According to Sallie Mae, 26 percent of co-signers are not related to the student borrower. Qualifying US citizens may also co-sign for overseas students Sallie Mae also provides graduate school, MBA, parent-student, residency and relocation, and job training loans.Sallie Mae Student Loan Details
Undergraduate Fixed APR 3.75% to 12.85% with autopay Undergraduate Variable APR 1.62% to 11.73% with autopay Graduate Fixed APR 4.75% to 12.11% with autopay Graduate Variable APR 2.62% to 12.11% with autopay MBA Fixed APR 4.75% to 12.11% with autopay MBA Variable APR 2.37% to 11.87% with autopayBEST FOR FLEXIBLE REPAYMENT OPTIONS - College Ave
STARTING INTEREST RATE: 1.19%6 MIN CREDIT SCORE: Not disclosed TERMS: 5-15 yearsWhy We Chose It
College Ave allows you greater control over your repayment schedules by providing a variety of repayment alternatives, periods, and structures.Pros & Cons
Pros
- Terms from 5-15 years
Cons
- No forbearance policy specified
Overview
College Ave provides a good selection of repayment choices, ranging from payment structure to maturities. Here are the in-school payment alternatives available to students who have a university Ave student loan: Full deferment in class and for a six-month grace period after enrollment ends Fixed in-school payments of $25 per month Interest-only payments while in class Principal payments in full, with interest commencing immediately While you’re in class, you’ll defer payments or opt for fixed or interest-only payments that can limit your monthly payments. On top of those flexible options, College Ave also offers four loan-term options between five and 15 years, which provides you with more control over your repayment. And if you’ve got a co-signer, you’ll release them after 24 payments.College Ave Student Loan Details
Undergraduate Fixed APR 3.49% to 12.99% with autopay Undergraduate Variable APR 1.19% to 11.98% with autopay Graduate Fixed APR 3.99% to 11.98% with autopay Graduate Variable APR 1.99% to 10.97% with autopay Refinance Fixed APR 3.49% to 6.74% with autopay Refinance Variable APR 3.44% to 6.64% with autopayFinal Verdict
All of the simplest student loans that made our list have pros and cons to offer. Some provide competitive interest rates, while others provide flexible payback periods and structures. Others, on the other hand, make it simple for a co-signer to use the loan. Overall, we recommend testing Ascent. The corporation offers competitive interest rates and has loan products for undergraduates without needing a co-signer.How to Pick the Best Student Loan Company
If you would like to borrow student loans, spend time going to know how student loans work. This will help you figure out what you need and want in a student loan to make an informed decision. As you compare federal and personal student loan offerings, specialize in the costs of borrowing. The interest rates and fees you will experience will decide how much it will cost you in the future to repay this loan. Selecting a student loan with lower monthly payments can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan. Beyond cost, examine other factors that may affect how affordable or burdensome this debt will be to repay:- In-school deferment that ensures you’ll focus on your studies
- Loan terms have an immediate impact on your monthly payments
- Deferment or forbearance options to guard you against default in cases of financial hardship
- Options to feature or release a co-signer for more access and options
- Features and benefits specific to the sort of loan or degree you’re pursuing, like deferment during residency for medical school loans
- Fees like late fees, origination fees, and more
Federal Student Loans vs. Private Student Loans
The most popular type of student loan is a federal student loan. They are not dependent on credit and are provided and sponsored by the United States Department of Education. On the opposite hand, private student loans are credit-based options offered by banks or other private lenders. Federal student loans often offer students a cheaper and more accessible way to borrow. Still, private student loans remain an important tool for students who have reached their borrowing restrictions on federal student loans. They will also be a less expensive option than the terms available on federal direct PLUS loans.Private Student Loan Pros & Cons
Pros
- Provide financing in excess of the federal student loan restrictions
- Rates may be lower than those on grad PLUS and parent PLUS loans.
- Many private lenders don’t charge an origination fee
- It may be an option for international students
Cons
- Good credit is suggested to qualify, or a creditworthy cosigner is required.
- Deferment and forbearance are a lender’s discretion
- Fewer repayment options than federal student loans
- Can’t access federal student loan forgiveness programs
- No student loan interest subsidy
What Is a Student Loan?
A student loan may be a form of student aid that helps students pay for a college education, from vocational education to a bachelor’s degree up to a doctorate degree. Students then utilize this money to pay for educational expenditures such as tuition, books, school supplies, and even living expenses such as food and transportation. Student loans often have lower interest rates and fees than other types of loans, but they are also more difficult to discharge in bankruptcy. A variety of lenders frequently provide and issue student loans. Federal student loans are available through the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid, and many state governments operate student loan programs. Colleges and other non-profit organizations may have their own student loan programs. Banks and other private lenders frequently provide student loans.How Do Student Loans Work?
You must apply for student loans in order to obtain them. Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal student loans is part of this. For personal student loans, meaning completing an application with the lender of your choice. These lenders will need proof that you are a student and will allow you to borrow up to the entire cost of your educational degree or program. You are responsible for repaying the student loan principal and interest once the repayment term begins. You’ll be required to make monthly payments in order to repay the loan in full within the loan period. As they’re loans, student loans aren’t gifted aid (like scholarships), and they must be paid back. Student loans are normally postponed while the scholar is enrolled in college and for a grace period following graduation. During the deferral time, interest may accumulate. The interest on federal direct subsidized loans, which are paid through a government subsidy, is an exception.Is Student Loan Interest Tax Deductible?
The short answer is yes: You can deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest payments to reduce your taxable income. The scholar loan interest deduction is available for both private and government student loans. If you paid more than $600 in interest on a student loan that qualifies for this deduction, your lender must submit you a Form 1098-E to prove how much you paid. However, you’ll still claim this deduction if you paid less or didn’t receive a 1098-E.How We Chose the simplest Student Loans
We compared quite 20 nationwide private student loan lenders to choose the best student loans. Our ranking was compiled mostly on the basis of student loan rates, discounts, and terms. Other loan products and characteristics that we reviewed were alternatives, loan limitations, repayment, forbearance or postponement procedures, and co-signer release.