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Published: Jul 2, 2026 14 min read
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#1 on Forbes, CNBC, Money, CNN & Fund.com

  • Lowest rate - starting at 2.09% APR 1
  • Cover up to 100% of your school costs 2
  • Flexible options for repayment
  • No application, origination, or prepayment fees
  • Checking rates won't affect your credit score
    *Rates as of August 3, 2026

College Ave's student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.

¹ All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.

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APRs Starting at 2.09% (Fixed) With Auto Debit Discount

  • Lowest rates shown include 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount with auto debit payments.¹
  • Multiple repayment options from in-school payments to deferred.¹ No origination fee or prepayment penalty.²
  • Borrow up to 100% of school-certified expenses, whether you're online or on campus.3
  • Last year, students were 4x more likely to be approved with a cosigner.⁴

1Undergraduate Loan - Fixed rates 2.09% - 17.49% APR* with auto debit discount. 

Borrow responsibly 

Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., and apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident). Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.


1. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan with a 4-year in-school period, a 6-month grace, and the longest loan term offered. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

2. Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 4-year in-school period, and a 6-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 12.77% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $225.10 and one payment of $111.22, for a total loan cost of $28,173.12. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 12.93% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 178 payments of $193.07 and one payment of $158.46, for a total loan cost of $35,799.92. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

3. Although we do not charge you a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as provided in your promissory note — first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
Information advertised valid as of 08/04/2026.

SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.  

The Sallie Mae partner referenced is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Sallie Mae loan customers.

©2026 Sallie Mae Bank. All rights reserved.  SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America
 

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No fees required

  • Covers full attendance cost
  • Fixed rates from 2.45%-15.99% APR (with autopay)
  • Variable rates from 4.39% - 15.99% APR (with autopay)
  • Save on interest with rate discounts for autopay (0.25%), continuing scholar borrowers (0.125%), and cosigners taking a second student loan (0.25%).
  • US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands residents are eligible for student loans*
  • Flexible repayment options to fit your financial situation

*Borrowers must attend an approved school within these areas to qualify.

Interest Rates: Eligibility and Important Details. Fixed rates range from 2.45% APR to 15.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 4.39% APR to 15.99% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 7/6/2026 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Check out our eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases.

 

Autopay Discount: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly payments as outlined in your loan agreement by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. When the autopay interest rate deduction is added or removed, the next time the loan is re-amortized (quarterly for fixed rate loans; monthly for variable rate loans),the principal balance of your loan will be spread over the remaining loan term, and your monthly payment amount will change. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment, grace period, or forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.

 

Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.


Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Not all repayment options may be available for all loans. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. View payment examples. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is current as of 3/4/2026 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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Fast application and decision-making process

  • Fixed APR starting at 2.29%6 7 with Auto Pay8 and Loyalty9 discount
  • Provides customized private loan options for students
  • Enjoy no early prepayment penalties
  • Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)2

Repayment terms and repayment options available vary based on loan type. 
 

Earnest clients may skip a payment through a single, one-month forbearance during a 12 month period. Your first request to skip a pay can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time full principal and interest payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Any unpaid accrued interest may capitalize (added to the principal balance) at the end of the forbearance period by adding unpaid accrued interest to the outstanding principal as permitted by law and the terms of the loan agreement. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term. 
 

Terms and conditions apply. To qualify for  this Earnest Rate Match and Bonus offer: 1) you must submit a completed student loan application; 2) you must provide documentation of an eligible competitive rate offer exclusive of all discounts by calling Client Happiness at (888) 601-2801 or chat on Earnest.com and follow the instructions to send in your proof of lower rate; and 3) you must provide a valid email address during the application process.  The bonus will be paid out in the form of a gift card. You will receive instructions on how to redeem the gift card via the email address you have provided. Limit one rate match bonus per application. A bonus cannot be issued to residents in MA. Bonuses that are not redeemed within 180 calendar days of the date they were made available to the recipient may be subject to forfeit. Bonus amounts of $600 or greater in a single calendar year may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as miscellaneous income to the recipient on Form 1099-MISC in the year received as required by applicable law. Recipient is responsible for any applicable federal, state or local taxes associated with receiving the bonus offer; consult your tax advisor to determine applicable tax consequences. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Earnest may discontinue this program at any time. 
 

To qualify for automatic cosigner release, the outstanding principal balance of your loan must be paid down to 50% or less of the original principal balance. The primary borrower must have made 36 months of required payments after the end of the Interim Period. The primary borrower must meet our eligibility and minimum credit requirements. Additional terms and conditions may apply.  To request cosigner release, the primary borrower must have made 12 consecutive, monthly on-time principal and interest payments (or an amount equal thereto) immediately preceding the cosigner release application. The primary borrower must satisfy certain eligibility and credit criteria at the time of application. Additional terms and conditions may apply. 
 

5Residents of Hawaii must request a loan of at least $1,501. 
 

Available interest rates are subject to change. Interest rates as of 03/19/2026. Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples: 
 

1.) These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable annual percentage rate ("APR"): A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,511.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $150.30) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,054.10. 
 

2.) These examples provide estimates based on interest-only payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,515.14. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $140.42 for 57 months. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $150.30) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $34,886.94. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $137.42 for 57 months. 
 

3.) These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $253.39) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.92% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,035.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $246.61) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.65% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $45,814.80. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $25.00. 4.) These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $275.17) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.67% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,530.60. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $268.03) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.39% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $48,245.40. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when the deferred repayment option has been selected and the loan is in the interim period. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $0. 
 

Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your financial profile. Fixed annual percentage rates (APR) range from 2.79% to 16.74% (2.29% - 16.24% with Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts). Variable annual percentage rates (APR) range from 5.24% to 17.1% (4.74% - 16.6% with Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts). Earnest variable interest rate student loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent plus a margin and will change on the 1st of each month. The rate will not increase more than once a month, but there is no limit on the amount that the rate could increase at one time. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified existing cosigned loan borrowers who receive the 0.25% Loyalty discount and requires selection of our shortest term offered, full principal and interest payment while in school, and enrollment in our 0.25% Auto Pay discount. Enrolling in Auto Pay is not required as a condition for approval. Interest rates are subject to change.                

You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment from a checking or savings account. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when loan payments are deferred during the interim period as a result of selecting the deferred repayment option. 

 

Only applicants who have previously obtained a disbursed Earnest Private Student Loan are eligible for the Loyalty Discount. To obtain the discount you must also apply using the same email address associated with that loan. Only one Loyalty Discount may be applied per eligible Earnest Private Student Loan. Not all applicants may qualify. This offer cannot be combined with Earnest’s Rate Match program. Earnest Private Student Loans through Juno are excluded from Loyalty Discount eligibility. Earnest may modify or discontinue this offer at any time and without notice, however, once a Loyalty Discount is earned, it will not be taken away.


10 Earnest does not charge fees for  origination, late payments, returned check, or prepayments. Florida Stamp Tax: For Florida residents, Florida documentary stamp tax is required by law, calculated as $0.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of  the principal loan amount, the amount of  which is provided in the Final Disclosure.  Lender will add the stamp tax to the  principal loan amount. The full amount will  be paid directly to the Florida Department  of Revenue. Certificate of Registration No.78-8016373916-1. 

Earnest Private Student Loans are subject to credit approval. 

Earnest Private Student Loans are made by  FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. FinWise Bank,  756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT  84107. 

Earnest student loans are serviced by  Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H.  Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland, CA  94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from  Higher Education Loan Authority of the  State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). 

FinWise Bank and Earnest LLC and its  subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations  LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the  United States of America. 

Surveys consistently show that most parents want to help their children pay for college. But if you haven't been saving for years and don't earn enough to sign over a chunk of your income to tuition bills, that help may have to come in the form of taking on debt.

To choose which parent loan option is best for your family's situation, you must understand the differences between federal parent PLUS loans and private parent loans, particularly as the federal loan landscape shifts this year. Our guide below, which includes a list of top private lenders, can help.

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Federal loans vs. private loans: How to choose

Students who are borrowing for their undergraduate education should always max out federal student loans before turning to the private market. (The annual federal loan limits vary, but in general, students under 24 can borrow up to $31,000 over the course of their undergraduate education.) For students, private loans are almost always more expensive, and they don't carry the same protections as federal loans.

For parent borrowers, though, the choice is less clear: Federal loans are easier to access, but private loans may be cheaper for borrowers with excellent credit.

Regardless of whether you go the federal or the private route, keep in mind that many financial planners caution parents against borrowing too much to pay for a kid's college degree. If your own finances aren't stable and you don't have much saved for retirement, you may want to consider reevaluating your plans to find a more affordable school that doesn't require taking on parent debt.

Parent PLUS loans vs. private student loans comparison

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the two options. We cover them more in-depth in the sections below.

Parent PLUS

Private loans

Interest rate

Fixed by federal law

Based on credit profile

Rates for the 2026-2027 academic year

9.07%

Varies by lender and borrower's credit history. Could be anywhere from 3% to 18%

Origination fee

Yes

Usually no

Borrowing limit

$20,000 per year, pear student; $65,000 lifetime limit for new borrowers

Typically up to the cost of attendance

Credit check

Reviews only for "adverse" credit history, such as a recent delinquency or bankruptcy

Full credit check

Repayment protections

Stronger than most private lenders, but narrowing under new rules

Varies by lender and typically granted on a case-by-case basis

Best for

Parents who need federal protections or can't get low private rates

Parents with excellent credit who can beat PLUS rates

Federal parent PLUS loans are easy to access

Pros
  • Broadly accessible
  • Longer forbearance options than what most private lenders offer
Cons
  • Rates and fees may be higher than those of some private lenders
  • Can’t access the same repayment plans as students with federal loans
  • Only parents can borrow, not other family members 

Parent PLUS loans are offered by the U.S. Department of Education to the parents, adoptive parents and stepparents of eligible undergraduate students. They can cover education costs not paid for by other financial aid.

These loans require a very basic credit check that shows you don't have an "adverse" credit history — meaning you haven’t had delinquent debt accounts totaling more than $2,085 in the past two years and you haven’t had any bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions or defaults in the past five years. People with lower credit scores still qualify, which opens up borrowing to a wider range of families.

Parent PLUS loans have a fixed interest rate for the length of the loan — for the 2026-2027 school year, this is set at 9.07%. (As with all federal loans, the rates on parent PLUS loans are set once a year. Parent loans always carry a rate that is about two-and-a-half percentage points higher than the rate on undergraduate loans.) Federal parent loans also have a one-time fee that is similar to an origination fee. The fee is currently 4.228%, and it is subtracted from the requested loan amount.

To access parent PLUS loans, your student has to fill out the FAFSA. After getting a financial aid package from your student's college, you can use the online application for a parent PLUS loan or apply through your child's school's application process as specified. Read our full parent PLUS guide for more details.

What’s changing for parent PLUS loans in 2026?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) changes several aspects of federal loans for parents. Parents taking out PLUS loans after July 1, 2026, will see:

  • A $20,000 annual limit per dependent student
  • A $65,000 lifetime limit per student
  • No access to income-driven repayment plans
  • No access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

In the past, parents could borrow up to the full cost of attendance for a child’s education without lifetime borrowing limits. There also wasn’t any measure of a parent’s ability to repay. Those policies made it easy to overborrow. The new limits add guardrails, but they’re still high enough that parents should map out a repayment plan before borrowing.

Paying back parent PLUS loans

Parent PLUS loans may be deferred as long as the student is in school at least half-time or for six months after graduation. Interest accrues during deferment, so making payments early can reduce your total cost.

The repayment options for parent PLUS are changing this year. Parents taking out loans after July 1 will have access to only one repayment plan, the so-called tiered standard plan. The plan has fixed monthly payments for between 10 and 25 years, depending on your principal balance. New parent borrowers also won’t qualify for PSLF because they won’t have access to PSLF-eligible repayment plans.

Borrowers who already have parent PLUS loans and do not borrow again will continue to have access to their existing plans (and can continue to pursue PSLF).

Finally, if you need a temporary break from your payments, you can request a forbearance from your loan servicer. Current rules allow for forbearance periods up to 12 months at a time, with a cumulative three-year limit. For loans issued after July 1, 2027, those limits shrink to nine months within a two-year period.

Who should take out a parent PLUS loan?

Federal parent loans are best for those who don’t have a "good" or "excellent" credit score that will allow them to qualify for lower rates in the private market. Be careful, though: Even with the new borrowing limits, it can be easy to take on more than you can realistically afford. Before borrowing, map out your expected four-year total and use a loan calculator to estimate the monthly payment. If that bill would strain your budget, you may need to consider a lower-cost college option.

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Private parent loans may be cheaper for some

Pros
  • Lower APRs for borrowers with excellent credit
  • Fixed- and variable-rate options available
  • May be open to grandparents and other family members/guardians
Cons
  • Expensive for borrowers without strong credit
  • Stricter and more limited access to forbearance

Private student loans are offered by banks, credit unions and online lenders that focus on college financing.

Parents who borrow on the private market have two possible routes: They can look for lenders that have a dedicated parent loan option, where only the parent’s name (and perhaps that of a cosigner) is on the loan, or they can cosign on a student loan and simply make the payments on behalf of their student. In the case of the latter, the loan will be tied to both the student and the parent.

Almost all lenders offer fixed- and variable-rate loans, and they typically offer repayment terms of between five and 15 years.

Private lenders set their own policies for hardship protections, and they'll handle requests for forbearance on a case-by-case basis. Most limit the time spent in forbearance to about three consecutive months, with a cumulative total of 12 months over the life of the loan.

Who should take out a private parent loan?

Parents with decent income and a strong credit score can save a significant amount of money in the private market as compared to PLUS loans. For example, if you can qualify for a 5% fixed rate, and you take out $20,000, you’ll owe about $212 a month on a 10-year term. Run those same numbers with a PLUS loan this year, and you’ll owe nearly $261 per month and end up paying about $5,400 more over the life of the loan in interest and fees.

That said, private lenders also charge much higher interest rates; several lenders are currently advertising max rates between 15% and 18%. If you can’t qualify for a private loan that undercuts the rates on PLUS loans, you should stick with the federal option.

Cosigning vs. borrowing on your own

Whether it would be better to cosign a student loan or take out your own parent loan depends on your priorities. If you’re looking to share responsibility with your student or would like to help them build up their credit history, cosigning may be the better fit. It may also be worth considering cosigning if you have specific needs that aren’t met by lenders that offer a dedicated parent loan. That could be the case if your student is pursuing something other than a four-year degree or if you value repayment flexibility and perks that are often more robust for student borrowers.

Another aspect to consider is when you’ll start making payments. If you cosign on a student loan, you’ll have the option to defer payments entirely while the student is enrolled. However, if you take on a parent loan, many lenders require immediate repayment — although they may offer options such as interest-only or flat monthly payments while your student is in school.

How to qualify for a private parent student loan

Lenders typically look at your credit score, salary and employment information and debt-to-income ratio to determine whether you meet their requirements. Most lenders require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and your student must be enrolled in an eligible school. (Approved schools may vary by lender, but they usually have to be an accredited institution.) Some lenders allow grandparents, guardians or other qualified sponsors to borrow on a student’s behalf.

Best parent loans for college: Top private lenders

If you decide private loans are the way to go, you’ll want to shop around to find the best deal. You should get a few offers to compare the rates you’re pre-approved for, but you’ll also want to consider details like repayment terms, forbearance or other hardship protections, and whether the lender has any unique perks that appeal to you. Here are some of the best private student loans for parents:

Pros
  • Five repayment term options
  • Rates on parent loans are more expensive than rates on cosigned student loans
Cons
  • Larger than normal rate discount for setting up autopay

Ascent offers parents five repayment term options, ranging from five to 15 years, plus a 0.50% interest rate discount for setting up automatic payments. (Most lenders offer 0.25%.) Ascent doesn’t allow parent borrowers to fully defer payments while their student is enrolled, but they can choose to make interest-only payments during that time.

Pros
  • Flexible repayment options for parents
  • Competitive APRs for credit-worthy borrowers
  • Fast application and approval process
Cons
  • Cosigner release available only after half the repayment term is completed
  • Late fee of up to $25
  • Limited information about forbearance or hardship protections online
  • The maximum APR is among the highest on the market

College Ave is Money’s pick for the Best Student Loan for Parents in part because of its customizable repayment term. Parents can choose between five and 15 years, which allows them to pick a term that best fits their budget. For borrowers with excellent credit and strong financial histories, College Ave may be a solid choice. The lender regularly offers some of the lowest starting APRs in the industry.

Pros
  • Parent borrowers can defer payments while their student is in school
  • Lower maximum APR than many competitors
  • Great reviews for customer service
Cons
  • No rate discounts or rewards
  • Late fee of up to $50

ELFI parent loans get the same repayment options as student loans, meaning you can elect to defer your payments while your student is in school, or you can choose to make payments that are interest-only, a flat $25 a month or full principal and interest.

ELFI has strong customer reviews, and each applicant is assigned to a student loan advisor who works with them through the application and disbursement process.

Pros
  • Income-based repayment option
  • Up to 24 months of forbearance
  • Competitive interest rates
Cons
  • Lowest rates require starting repayment immediately

RISLA offers a separate parent loan product with very competitive rates. The lowest rates require a five-year term and immediate repayment. But even the longer terms and deferred repayment options offer competitive rates, with APRs maxing out at 8.77% — nearly half that of some other lenders.

RISLA, officially the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority, is unique in that it offers an income-based repayment plan for protection in the event of financial hardship.

Pros
  • Offers a suite of loans for non-degree programs, including certificates and career training
  • Cosigner release available after just 12 monthly payments
Cons
  • Limited repayment terms
  • Late fee of up to $25
  • Rates on parent loans are higher than rates on undergraduate loans

Sallie Mae recently launched a dedicated parent loan that can be used to support a student’s undergraduate or graduate education. Sallie Mae is also a solid choice for parents who want to cosign a loan to help pay for something other than a degree, including loans for career training, medical residency, bar exams and more.

Pros
  • No late or insufficient fund fees
  • Member benefits and perks
  • Reward points system that can be used to pay down debt
Cons
  • Typically need good to excellent credit to get approved

SoFi is regularly recognized for its member perks, which include financial coaching and estate planning. Borrowers can also redeem SoFi rewards points toward their loan. The lender gives a loyalty discount, meaning it could be a great option for parents who already have a SoFi account. SoFi limits payments to only interest-only or full principal and interest while the student is in school, but it does offer parents four repayment term lengths.

Parent PLUS vs. private student loans: FAQs

What is the best parent loan for college?

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The best parent loan is the one with the lowest total cost that still gives you the repayment flexibility and protections you want. Parents with strong credit and good income can likely qualify for lower rates and better terms on the private market. Others will need accessibility and protections offered through federal loans. Compare parent PLUS loans with multiple private loan offers before borrowing.

What are the new parent PLUS loan limits?

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For loans taken out after July 1, 2026, parents can borrow up to $20,000 a year per student, with a $65,000 lifetime maximum per student.

Can parent loans be transferred to the student?

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No. Neither parent PLUS loans nor private parent loans can be transferred to the student without refinancing. If you cosigned on a private student loan, your student may be able to take over sole responsibility if the lender offers cosigner release and your student meets the eligibility requirements.
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