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Best international student loans in July 2024

Updated Jul 25, 2024

What to know first: An international student loan is what it sounds like: a private student loan offered to international students by a bank, credit union or online lender. Although it may be harder to get approved as an international student, some lenders extend eligibility to those who apply with a qualifying co-signer. That said, it's crucial that you choose the right loan for your budget so you don't negatively affect your and your co-signer's credit.

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Fixed APR from

3.74- 15.00%

Loan amount

$1k- $100K

Fixed APR from

3.79- 15.41%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Fixed APR from

3.99- 17.99%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.15- 15.49%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.24- 15.61%

Loan amount

$1k- $350K

Fixed APR from

4.24- 14.01%

Loan amount

$1k- $100K

Fixed APR from

4.24- 15.47%

Loan amount

$1k- $500K

Fixed APR from

4.50- 14.22%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.80- 8.54%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

5.75- 8.95%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Lender conversion and compensation impacts how, where and in what order products appear in the above table

Compare the best international student loan rates of July 2024

Use the table below to easily compare our top picks for the best international student loans. Compare the loan amounts and APR ranges to make sure the balance fits your monthly budget and your borrowing needs. 

LENDER BEST FOR CURRENT APR RANGE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS* LOAN TERM LOAN AMOUNT RANGE
College Ave Quick application process 5.59%-17.99 variable; 4.22%-17.99% fixed with autopay 5-15 years $1,000-100% total cost of attendance
Sallie Mae Part-time enrollment 5.37%-15.70% variable; 4.25%-15.49% fixed with autopay 10-15 years $1,000-100% total cost of attendance
Ascent Flexible payment options 5.99%-15.85% variable; 3.79%-15.41% fixed with autopay 5-20 years $2,001 - $400,000
Citizens Bank Loyalty discounts 5.99%-16.61% variable; 4.24%-15.61% fixed with autopay 5-15 years $1,000 - $150,000

*The rates in this table are for international student loans. The information on lenders below reflect the overall student loan rate range offered by each lender.

A closer look at our top options for international school loans

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.

Best for flexible payment options

Min. credit score:
Not disclosed
Fixed APR From:
3.79% –15.41%
Loan amount:
$2,001– $400,000
Term lengths:
5 to 20 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed
Overview: Ascent is an online lender that offers student loans to international students who have a qualified co-signer. Ascent's flexible hardship options and rewards program set it apart from other lenders.
Why Ascent is best for flexible payment options: Ascent allows you to customize your repayment with a long grace period, three options for in-school payments and a choice between four-plus repayment terms.

Best for low APR

Min. credit score:
720
Fixed APR From:
4.24% –15.61%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $225,000
Term lengths:
5 to 15 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed
Overview: Citizens Bank is a traditional bank that has branches in 15 states. If you live elsewhere, you may be directed to its national lending division, Citizens One. The bank offers student loans to international students for both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Of all the lenders on this list, Citizens Bank advertises some of the lowest APRs.
Why Citizens Bank is best for low APR: Citizens Bank's minimum and maximum APRs are relatively low. Borrowers can lower their APR even further by combining autopay and loyalty discounts.

Best for a quick application process

Min. credit score:
Not disclosed
Fixed APR From:
4.22% –17.99%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $500,000
Term lengths:
5 to 15 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed
Overview: College Ave is an online lender that offers private student loans to international students with an eligible co-signer. The lender specializes in a quick application process.
Why College Ave is best for a quick application process: College Ave claims that its initial application takes only three minutes. The prequalification form is easy to navigate, requiring just basic personal information and your requested loan amount. The tool automatically pulls your estimated cost of attendance based on the school and loan period you input.

What is an international student loan?

International student loans are loans designed for non-U.S. citizens and are offered by private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and online lenders. You can typically use the funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, school supplies, transportation, insurance and living costs at a school in the U.S.

The easiest way to shop for student loans is online. Most lenders offer online prequalification in a matter of minutes. However, if you prefer to discuss your options in person, you can also go to a branch of a bank offering student loan products.

How do student loans work? 

When you apply for a student loan, you'll request the loan amount you need for the upcoming academic year. In many cases, you can apply for your full cost of attendance, minus any financial aid you've already received. 

If you're approved for the loan, the lender will verify your cost of attendance with your school and then send the school the funds to cover tuition and fees. Any amount remaining will be sent to you.

In general, you do not have to start making payments until six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment, though interest will begin accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed. Once you enter repayment, you'll make payments that consist of the principal and interest. You'll make these payments until you've reached the end of your repayment term and your loan is paid off in full.

What are current international student loan rates? 

Interest rates for international student loans currently range from about 4 percent to 18 percent. The actual rate you receive depends on multiple factors, such as the type of APR (fixed versus variable), your credit profile, annual income and debt-to-income ratio. The amount you can borrow also varies depending on your degree program and cost of attendance.

How to choose the best international student loan lender

  1. Research several lenders: While lender websites can't give you all of the information you need, looking through their basic information can help you determine which lenders accept international students and which offer the most appealing features.
  2. Get prequalified: Submit prequalification forms with at least three lenders. You'll need your information and your co-signer's, but neither of you will go through a hard credit check at this stage.
  3. Compare offers: Your prequalified offers will tell you the interest rates and terms available to you. From there, you can determine which loan will be the cheapest overall or which offers you the best combination of affordability and unique benefits, such as long grace periods.

How to get an international student loan

  1. Compare several loans: Then apply for the student loan that has the best terms and interest rates for your situation.
  2. Check your eligibility: This may depend on the school, cost of attendance and whether you have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer. The lender may check your co-signer's credit history.
  3. 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 (and when it can change), repayment options, monthly payment and available hardship options.
  4. Wait for verification: The lender will communicate with your school to confirm your enrollment and loan amount. This may take a few days or even a few weeks, depending on your school and the time of year.
  5. 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. If there’s any amount left over after covering all of your required fees, the school will give these funds to you.

Eligibility requirements for international student loans

Eligibility requirements for international student loans vary by lender, but there are a few standard necessities:

  • A creditworthy co-signer: Because international students may not have a credit profile, most lenders will require a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer with good credit on international student loans.
  • An eligible school: Lenders may limit which schools or programs the borrower may attend in order to qualify for a loan.
  • A good academic profile: In most cases, lenders will require you to make satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school. This typically means maintaining a minimum GPA and enrolling in sufficient credit hours.

Getting an international student loan without a co-signer

To qualify for a private loan, most international students will need a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and who has a strong credit history. A co-signer accepts equal responsibility for your loan. If you fall behind, it could negatively impact your credit as well as your co-signer's.

It may be hard to find someone willing to cosign a loan with you, especially if you don't have friends and family in the U.S. yet. For this reason, some lenders offer special loans for international students that don't require a co-signer. However, these lenders are few and far between. They often come with much higher interest rates than traditional lenders, as these loans are considered riskier than traditional student loans.

FAQ about loans for international students

How we chose the best international student loan providers  

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

57

years in business

25

lenders reviewed

14

loan features weighed

350

data points collected

To find the best medical school loan lenders, Bankrate's team of experts evaluated over 20 lenders. Each lender was then rated on a 14-point scale. The scale is split into 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.