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Best international student loans in July 2025

Updated Jun. 30, 2025

What to know first: International student loans cater to the borrowing needs of students who aren’t U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students aren’t eligible for federal aid and these loans are only offered at select banks, credit unions and online lenders. The best international student loan rates go to those who cosign with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

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Ascent: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Bootcamps And Vocational Programs

4.7
Fixed APR from
3.09- 14.93%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
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Check rate with Ascent

Sallie Mae: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Graduate Students

4.6
Fixed APR from
3.19- 16.99%
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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College Ave: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Multiyear Approval

4.5
Fixed APR from
3.43- 17.99%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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Citizens Bank: Best for multiple refinance options

4.6
Fixed APR from
3.49- 14.99%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
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STUDENT LOAN

MPower Financing: Best for loans with no cosigner

3.4
Fixed APR from
11.16%
Loan term
10-10 yrs
Loan amount
10 years

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A closer look at our top international school loan lenders

Here's a detailed overview of the top student loans for international students. Each lender's superlative is based on the loan details and any extra perks offered by the company.

Ascent: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best for bootcamps and vocational programs

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Ascent offers loans to international students pursuing degrees ranging from undergraduate, MBA and law to medical and healthcare residencies. APRs and repayment terms vary based on education type and credit. However, what really sets Ascent apart is how many repayment terms it offers — each loan comes with at least four repayment options.

Fixed APR
3.09%–14.93%
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

College Ave: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best for multiyear approval

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5

Overview: College Ave is an online lender that offers private loans to international students pursuing a variety of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as community college and career programs.

Fixed APR
3.43%–17.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Sallie Mae: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best for graduate students

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: Sallie Mae is one of the most recognized lenders on our list and serves borrowers at all stages of their academic experience. Most notably, borrowers who are only enrolled in part-time programs can secure funding — including international students.

Fixed APR
3.19%–16.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
10-15 yrs

Citizens Bank: Best for multiple refinance options

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: Citizens Bank's loans come with large maximum borrowing amounts, low fees and availability across the nation. Plus, its rich banking history gives the bank a trusted and credible reputation.

Fixed APR
3.49%–14.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

MPower Financing: Best for loans with no cosigner

Rating: 3.4 stars out of 5
3.4

Overview: Founded by two international students in 2014, MPower is one of the few student loan servicers that has flexible citizenship and residency requirements. Though all services are provided completely online, MPower does have two offices — one in the U.S. and the other in India.

Fixed APR
11.16%
Loan amount
10 years
Loan term
10-10 yrs

Calculate your international student loan payment

How to compare international student loans

When it comes to international student loans, you have some options. Follow these steps to compare lenders and find the best fit for your situation.

International student loan interest rates

Interest rates for cosigned international student loans currently range from just below four percent to slightly above 15 percent. The actual rate you receive depends on multiple factors such as the type of APR (fixed versus variable) and your cosigner's credit profile, annual income and debt-to-income ratio

Most international student loan lenders require a cosigner, though no-cosigner loans do exist, but interest rates are typically much higher for non-cosigned international student loans. For example, the APR for MPower's non-cosigner loan starts just above 11 percent.

What are international student loans?

International student loans are loans for non-U.S. citizens attending accredited American universities to pay for standard education expenses, including tuition and fees, books, school supplies, transportation, insurance and living costs. 

When you apply for an international student loan, you'll need to provide your current visa status and usually a valid Social Security number. If a cosigner is required, they must provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency status and meet the lender's qualification requirements.

Non-citizens aren’t eligible for federal aid, so these loans are offered by private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and online lenders. 

Pros and cons of international student loans

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Provide access to international study
  • Provide funding for students who don't qualify for federal loans and aid
  • Can help build credit history
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Most lenders require a co-signer
  • May have higher interest rates
  • Require you to take on debt

How to get an international student loan

The process for getting an international student loan is similar to getting a student loan for non-international students. You'll likely need to provide more documentation, including your student visa. If you have a cosigner, you'll need to provide their information as well. 

  1. Compare lenders and choose a loan

    Get prequalified with a few lenders to compare offers and find the best loan for your education.

  2. Complete the application

    Provide your personal information, including proof of your student visa, income and asset information (if applicable) and choose your repayment terms. Make sure that you understand the APR, repayment terms, monthly payment and hardship options.

  3. Wait for verification

    The lender will coordinate with your school to confirm your enrollment and education costs. Depending on your school and the time of year you apply, the process can take a few days or even a few weeks.

  4. The lender disburses the funds

    Once your school certifies the loan, the lender will notify you and will typically disburse the funds directly to your school by the time your classes start.  

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BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

Ask the experts: Can international students get a loan without a cosigner?


Senior writer, Loans

It may be difficult to find an international student loan lender that doesn't require a cosigner, but they do exist. However, without a cosigner, you'll likely face higher rates and may be asked to provide additional documentation that shows you can uphold the financial obligations of the loan.

Bankrate Expert Contributor, Student Loans

Most private student loans for international students require a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a cosigner. However, MPOWER and Prodigy Finance are available without a cosigner or collateral, although the interest rates and fees may be higher than similar loans from other lenders for U.S. students.

Getting a student loan without a Social Security number

If you do not have a Social Security number (SSN), you may still qualify for a student loan. Depending on the lender, you can either use a cosigner who has a valid SSN or use your individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) as an alternative. Some lenders, like MPower do not require an SSN to apply and will create an account number for you instead.

Aside from an SSN, you'll likely need:

  • A valid visa
  • I-20 documentation
  • Unexpired passport
  • A satisfactory GPA and amount of credit hours
  • Enrollment in an eligible school or program

International student loan FAQs

How we chose the best international student loan providers  

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

48

years in business

25

lenders reviewed

16

loan features weighed

400

data points collected

The Bankrate team evaluated over two dozen lenders to select our top picks for the best international student loans. To do this, Bankrate uses a 16-point system to evaluate student loan lenders. This scoring criteria measures how lenders perform across three main categories.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.