Best student loans without a cosigner in March 2026

Overview: Sallie Mae is one of the most well-known student loan lenders in the U.S market due to its size, flexible repayment terms and free online tools. Plus, the lender supports a variety of career programs and students, including those attending half-time or less, students enrolled in online or summer classes, students studying abroad and those pursuing a professional certification course.

Overview: College Ave was founded in 2014 and offers undergraduate and graduate private student loans. College Ave also offers career loans, making its products available to a wide range of students in every phase of their educational journey.

Overview: Earnest is a fintech company headquartered in California that offers undergraduate, graduate and refinance student loans. It also provides a rate match guarantee, matching any competitor rate and giving you an Amazon gift card bonus.

Overview: Education Loan Finance's student loans come with low interest rates and a wide range of loan amounts. ELFI has stricter eligibility requirements than other lenders, with a minimum credit score of 680 and a minimum income of $35,000. However, it doesn't require undergraduates to add a cosigner if they meet these requirements on their own.

Overview: Citizens Bank is the oldest lender on this list and has been serving student loan borrowers for about 40 years. Although its loans are available to borrowers across the nation, those who live in one of the 14 states with a physical branch can receive in-person assistance.

Overview: Custom Choice offers unique benefits that make it stand out. For one, the lender doesn't require that you meet your school's Satisfactory Academic Progress to get approved. And its graduation reward — a 2% principal discount — is twice the size of what other lenders offer.

Overview: Created by the Massachusetts state legislature in 1982, MEFA is an online lender with a mission to make college more affordable and accessible. Its low APR range and student success resources set this lender apart from the rest. The lender also offers saving plans to Massachusetts residents.

Overview: SoFi offers private student loans to creditworthy undergraduate and graduate students in satisfactory academic and financial standing. Among its perks is access to professional financial planning.

Overview: Indiana-based lender INvestED exclusively serves students who have a permanent address in or attend school in Indiana. The lender takes an active role in increasing state residents’ literacy around student loans by providing financial aid resources to high schools and hosting FAFSA filing events.

Overview: Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Direct Subsidized Loans are offered to all students attending qualifying institutions. Unlike private loans, they don't require a credit check to apply and carry the same fixed rate for all borrowers. Plus, when you apply for federal loans through the FAFSA, you're also applying for need-based financial aid and grants.

Overview: Funding U exclusively serves undergraduate borrowers without cosigners. Its loan amounts are relatively low, and its starting APR is relatively high. But for borrowers who wouldn’t qualify with most lenders based on credit score and income, it could be one of the cheapest loan options. Note that Funding U does check for past credit issues, like missed payments.

Overview: Ascent offers student loans for undergraduate, graduate, international and DACA students, but it stands out for its non-cosigned options for undergraduates. There are two options: credit-based and outcomes-based loans. Both come with multiple repayment options and large loan amounts.