Colleges and universities in the U. S. can be surprisingly pricey, and many students must borrow money from student loans to pay for their tuition, fees, and basic needs. You might be able to find a cosigner, but here are some other options.
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Colleges and universities in the U. S. can be surprisingly pricey, and many students must borrow money from student loans to pay for their tuition, fees, and basic needs. For Americans, the U. S. Federal student loans are readily available, have low interest rates, and a variety of repayment options. You won’t have as many options as an American student to find a loan with a favorable interest rate. But it can be challenging to obtain an international student loan without a cosigner.
You might be able to get a loan from a private lender, like a bank or credit union. But even then, they frequently request a U. S. citizen or permanent resident to cosign the loan. If you’re an international student without a cosigner, you might know someone who can do it for you, but you should also look into your few other options.
What Is a Cosigner?
Even though obtaining a loan with a cosigner may not be an option or a student’s first choice, it is important to understand what cosigning is and how it functions.
A cosigner is a person who consents to legal responsibility for a contract. If someone cosigns your loan, they promise to pay it back if you are unable to or fail to make your loan payments.
The creditor may file a lawsuit against you and your cosigner if the loan is not repaid. It might even be able to withdraw cash directly from your bank accounts or paychecks. Additionally, the lender will probably notify the credit bureaus of your late payments under your name and that of your cosigner, which could damage both of your credit histories in the U S.
When the primary borrower lacks a credit history or isn’t eligible for the loan on their own, creditors frequently request a cosigner. But the cosigner will also have to abide by the conditions set forth by the lender. As a result, you might not be eligible for a loan even if you have a cosigner.
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Getting an International Student Loan Without a Cosigner
You must satisfy the lender’s fundamental requirements in order to apply for a student loan. These can change over time and differ depending on the lender and type of loan.
Basic Qualifications for International Students
International students are automatically excluded from private student loan programs because many of them only provide loans to citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Alternatively, they provide loans to foreign students who have a U.S. citizen as a cosigner. S. citizen or permanent resident.
Lenders that provide no-cosigner loans to international students may have the following fundamental criteria:
In addition to fulfilling the prerequisites, you must also pass the lender’s underwriting examination.
Loan Requirements for International Students Without Cosigners
Applying for a loan doesn’t ensure that you’ll be accepted or that you’ll get a good deal. If you’re looking for an international student loan without a cosigner, the following factors may affect your approval, loan amount, and interest rates:
You might be able to obtain a private student loan and use the money to pay for your education and living costs if you are able to satisfy the minimal eligibility and loan requirements for an international student loan without a cosigner. To determine which loan makes the most sense for you, compare the rates and terms offered.
Lenders That Offer International Student Loans Without a Cosigner
Few businesses in the U.S. provide international student loans without a cosigner. S. The top two are Prodigy Finance and MPOWER Financing, which collaborate with Nova Credit. These two businesses have distinct application, review, and funding procedures, and they concentrate on various types of students.
Student loans are available from MPOWER Financing to both undergraduate and graduate students. It focuses on international students, DACA recipients within the U. S. , and refugee or asylum-seekers. Their loans are also available to U. S. Despite the fact that for those who qualify, federal student loans are frequently the best first option,
For an international student loan without a cosigner, you may be able to qualify for up to $25,000 with each application, and up to $50,000 total for either undergraduate or graduate programs at one of the eligible schools. You’ll need to already be admitted to or enrolled at the school to qualify. However, you can apply for a loan from MPOWER up to 12 months before your program’s start date.
Although there are no specific degree restrictions, only students enrolled in degree-granting programs are eligible for the loans. Additionally, you must be starting a one- or two-year graduate program, or be within two years of finishing your current program.
The loan will have a fixed interest rate, so you will be aware of the precise amount of your monthly payments for the duration of the loan. However, there are three opportunities to receive a . 50% APR discount:
Additionally, you are only required to pay interest during your time in school and for six months after finishing your program. And once you accept a loan offer, the 5% origination fee will be added to your loan amount.
MPOWER notifies TransUnion, one of the U.S.’s top credit reporting agencies, of your loan. S. which can aid in establishing and establishing credit in the U S. system. Additionally, it can send you any necessary support letters for your student visa.
Additionally, you might be able to use your home country’s credit history to apply for an international student loan from MPOWER without a cosigner.
Apply for a loan using your international credit history to pay for your studies in the U S. with MPOWER Financing.
Depending on how long it takes you to upload the necessary documents and for MPOWER and your school to verify the information, the entire application process typically takes two to ten weeks. If you are accepted and accept the loan, your school will receive the full amount.
Unlike MPOWER, Prodigy Finance solely focuses on graduate students who are attending top-ranked schools. To qualify for an international student loan with no cosigner, you’ll need to be from one of the supported countries, attending one of the approved schools (there are over 900 worldwide) and seeking a degree in:
Although you may be eligible for a loan to pay for school in a country where you’ve lived for less than a year, you’ll also need to use the money for a study abroad program.
Prodigy offers loans with an origination fee of up to $40,000 and an admin fee of 4%. Your potential future earnings will determine your loan amount and interest rate, not your credit history. Prodigy makes an effort to ascertain this using data from your application, information from the schools it supports, and previous users’ experiences. Additionally, your cosigner-free international student loan will have a variable rate, which means that both the interest rate and your monthly payment amount could change in the future.
It takes about 30 minutes to complete an application, during which you must provide personal, academic, and financial data. Prodigy will send the funds directly to your school in the United States if you are accepted and accept the loan. S. The loan confirmation letter may also be used to support a visa application.
While you are enrolled in school and for up to six months after you graduate, you can decide to put off making any payments. However, interest will still accrue during this period. You are not required to pay any early payment fees or penalties if you choose to make payments early. Getting the loan can assist you in establishing credit in the U S. as Prodigy will submit your account information to Experian, another significant credit reporting agency
Alternative Options for Financing Your Education
Two well-liked options for student loans for non-US citizens pursuing their education in the U.S. are MPOWER and Prodigy. S. and don’t have a readily available cosigner. However, you might not be from a country supported, be enrolled in a supported institution, be eligible for a loan, or choose to look for funding elsewhere.
Even if you are accepted, it is probably wise to weigh all of your available financial aid before applying for a loan. Here are a few suggestions:
Apply for Grants and Scholarships
Grants and scholarships can be one of the best ways to pay for school if you can’t or don’t want to get a student loan without a cosigner because, unlike loans, you don’t have to pay them back. Both options are gift aid, but they typically have different requirements.
Grants are typically given to students who have a financial need and might not be able to pay for school otherwise. There are merit-based scholarships that you may be able to qualify for based on your academic or personal achievements in addition to need-based scholarships. Additionally, some organizations provide scholarships to people who share similar identities, like a common cultural, national, or religious heritage.
Because there are so many students applying and there are so few options available, winning grants and scholarships can be challenging. But it’s worthwhile to take the time to look for opportunities and finish the application process. Online databases and lists of grant and scholarship opportunities are a good place to start:
If you are eligible, your school may also include grants in your financial aid package. You can also inquire with the school’s financial aid office about additional grants and scholarships. Additionally, look into gift aid from your home nation as some have funding programs specifically for citizens who wish to pursue higher education in the U S.
See If You Qualify for Federal Loans
U. S. Citizens and permanent residents are typically the only ones eligible for federal student loans. However, based on their immigration status, some non-citizens might be eligible for federal loans. For example, you may qualify if:
Check the Department of Educations website for more information.
Get a Part-Time Job
Even though part-time work typically won’t be enough to pay for all of your school expenses, it could reduce the amount of money you need to borrow. But even if you want to work, there may be restrictions on the kinds of jobs you can hold if you live in the U S. with a student visa.
For instance, you typically cannot work off-campus with an F-1 visa. However, an optional practical training (OPT) program may be able to help you find employment. Additionally, after your first year of studies, you may work up to 20 hours per week at a permissible on-campus job.
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Look for Other Lenders
There might be less well-known lenders who provide cosigner-free student loans to international students. For instance, despite the fact that the lender only works with students at six universities, international graduate students should take a look at Quorum Federal Credit Union.
You can inquire with the financial aid offices at universities and colleges to see if they have any recommendations for foreign students. It’s possible that small banks or credit unions exist that provide loans to students enrolled at your school or from the same nation or region.
You could also look for a loan in your country of origin and use the money to pay for your studies there. However, you’ll need to figure out a way to send the money to the school and might have to pay more fees.
Although you may have intended to pay for your university education, S. Having a cosigner can give you access to more U.S. student loan options than you would without one. S. banks, credit unions and lenders.
If you have friends or family members who are U. S. Think about contacting citizens or permanent residents and asking if they feel comfortable cosigning. You should be clear about how you intend to repay the loan and what might happen if you are unable to make a payment because they are taking a financial risk. Research what actions a lender might take to get money from a cosigner if you get hurt, become disabled, or pass away before repaying the loan.
While studying in the U. S. can be pricey for international students, but there are other options you can consider. Check to see if you can receive any grants or scholarships first, as those are free funds that you don’t have to pay back. Then, check to see if you belong to one of the non-citizen groups that is eligible for federal loans.
If you find yourself short on funds, you can submit an application for a loan with one of the international student loan providers that doesn’t require a cosigner. Or, look for a cosigner to increase your funding options.
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FAQ
Can international students get loans without cosigner?
International students enrolled in certain colleges and universities in the US and Canada may be able to apply without a cosigner, even though most lenders typically require one. This kind of loan may be a good choice for you if you can’t find a cosigner.
Can a student get a student loan without a cosigner?
Federal student loans come with several advantages not offered by private lenders, including the absence of a cosigner requirement. Low interest rates, availability of income-driven repayment plans, and forgiveness programs are some of these advantages.
Can I get a loan without a cosigner?
If you apply for a personal loan as an individual and have a credit score of at least 585, you can obtain one without a cosigner. You can be approved for a personal loan without providing a cosigner.
Can international student get loan with cosigner?
Nearly all US lenders will demand a cosigner if you are an international student looking to apply for a loan. However, if you are a student who is a citizen of the US, a cosigner can raise the chances of approval and raise the interest rate provided.