Best Student Loans for 2023
(Last Updated: December 2023) Need a Student Loan Fast? We make it easy to review your options, compare lenders
and apply for private student loans to get the money you need for college. Advertiser Disclosure
#1 Recommended
Top-Ranked Choice for Students & Parents
- Rates starting at 4.49% APR1
- Choice of Fixed or Variable Interest Rates
- Multiple repayment options including no payments during school.2
- Borrow 100% of your school-certified expenses.3
- Apply in as little as 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision.
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty.3
- Choice of loan terms (years you take to repay) 5, 8, 10, or 15 years 3
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- Fixed rates from 4.50% to 15.49% APR1 and Variable rates from 6.37% to 16.70% APR1
- Whether you are studying online or on campus, borrow up to 100% of the school-certified expenses for the entire school year.2
- Choose from multiple repayment options to suit your budget1. No origination fee or prepayment penalty.3
- Lowest rates shown include Auto Debit Discount.1
- Consider adding a cosigner: Last year, students were nearly 3X more likely to be approved with a cosigner4 and it may help you get a better rate.
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- Covers up to 100% of the school certified cost of attendance
- 9 month grace period (3 months more than most lenders)2
- Flexible repayment options (5, 7, 10 and 15 year loan terms)
- No fees for origination, disbursement, prepayment, or late payment
- Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)3
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- Actual prequalified rates from multiple lenders in 3 minutes.
- Checking rates on Credible is free and will not impact your credit score.
- Flexible repayment plans: deferred, interest only, and many others for all financial needs.
- Finance almost any degree and cover up to 100% of your school-certified costs after financial aid.
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- Get a 0.25% discount when you set up autopay.* Plus, SoFi members can qualify for exclusive rate discounts.**1
- Apply online within minutes. Very easy to apply and add a cosigner to your application.
- No fees mean no fees. No origination fees, no late fees, and no insufficient fund fees.
- Adding a cosigner with a solid financial history and good credit may help improve your chances of loan approval—and sometimes even a lower interest rate.
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- Cash back. After graduation, you may be eligible to get 1% of your loan back as a cash reward.
- Referral bonus. Tell your friends about Ascent, and you could earn up to $525.
- No fees. You’ll pay no money to open an account, make a payment, or handle other routine tasks.
- Small loans. Some students need to borrow large amounts every year. Ascent offers loans as big as $200,000, but if you need just $1,000, they can help you too.
Great for Parents
Top-Ranked Choice for Students & Parents
- Rates starting at 4.49% APR1
- Choice of Fixed or Variable Interest Rates
- Multiple repayment options including no payments during school.2
- Borrow 100% of your school-certified expenses.3
- Apply in as little as 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision.
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty.3
- Choice of loan terms (years you take to repay) 5, 8, 10, or 15 years 3
Top Choice
Top-Ranked Choice for Students & Parents
- Rates starting at 4.49% APR1
- Choice of Fixed or Variable Interest Rates
- Multiple repayment options including no payments during school.2
- Borrow 100% of your school-certified expenses.3
- Apply in as little as 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision.
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty.3
- Choice of loan terms (years you take to repay) 5, 8, 10, or 15 years 3