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educational loans for international students

Educational Loans for International Students

International students attending U.S. colleges and universities may be eligible for award-winning private student loans with Ascent. We’re here to help support your journey, no matter how far you’re coming from.

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115,000+ people have used Ascent to pay for school**

4.8 out of 5
9,359 NPS reviews

Cover up to 100% of school costs in under 3 minutes - with a qualified co-signer

  • Flexible Repayment Terms

    Flexible 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-year repayment terms for non-cosigned credit-based loan option and 10 or 15-year repayment terms for non-cosigned outcomes-based loan option.

    There’s no penalty for early repayment. Ascent repayment examples.

    NOTE: For certain loans with low balances, the minimum monthly payment amount may cause the loan amortization schedule to be less than the selected term.

flexible repayment termsmultiple repayment optionsdiscountsloan amounts

Requirements for Ascent's private loans for international students

  • Loan requirements for international students attending U.S. universities

    You’re eligible for an international student loan with Ascent if:

    • You are not a U.S. citizen
    • You are not a U.S. permanent resident
    • You’re not Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)
    • You have an eligible resident status
    • You have a creditworthy cosigner who lives in the U.S. and meets additional requirements (see below)

  • Cosigner requirements for international student loans

    In addition to the above requirements, international students attending U.S. universities are also required to have a creditworthy cosigner for Ascent student loans.

    Your cosigner must:

    • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
    • Have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on your credit score.
    • Meet a minimum gross annual income of $30,000 for the current and previous year.
    • Be able to submit satisfactory proof-of-income.

  • Parent student loan requirements for parents, grandparents, guardians, or sponsors

    • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
    • Have a minimum credit score. The minimum score required is subject to change.
    • Meet a minimum gross annual income of $40,000 with credit and income-based debt-to-income requirements.
    • The student is enrolled less than half-time, half-time, or full-time status.

  • Obtaining an I-20 to study?

    An I-20 is one of the documents we will require to fund your education. If you do not have an I-20 yet or are planning on using Ascent as your proof of funding, we can help!

    • Apply for an Ascent loan with a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident cosigner
    • If conditionally approved, we'll issue you a conditional approval letter in your Ascent portal
    • Take that letter to your visa appointment
    • Once you're approved for the I-20 documentation, upload the documentation in your Ascent portal
    • Proceed with your Ascent loan application
    • If approved and the loan is certified, we'll disburse the funds to your school

International student loan options

Ascent offers private student loans to international students in the U.S. for a variety of career paths. Explore your options below.
Astronauts

Undergraduate Cosigned

Credit-Based Loan

For international undergraduate students with a creditworthy cosigner

Variable APR* 4.31% - 14.72%
Fixed APR* 3.09% - 14.41%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
  • Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment
  • Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status
MBA

MBA School Cosigned

Student Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their MBA with a cosigner.

Variable APR* 5.01% - 14.72%
Fixed APR* 3.89% - 14.41%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
  • Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Medical

Medical School Cosigned

Student Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their MD, DO, DVM, VMD, or DPM with a cosigner.

Variable APR* 5.01% - 14.97%
Fixed APR* 3.89% - 14.41%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
  • Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 36 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 36-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months
Dental

Dental School Cosigned

Student Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their DMD or DDS with a cosigner.

Variable APR* 5.01% - 14.97%
Fixed APR* 3.89% - 14.41%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
  • Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 12 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 12-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 48 months
Law

Law School Cosigned

Student Loans

For international graduate students pursuing their law degree with a cosigner.

Variable APR* 5.01% - 14.72%
Fixed APR* 3.89% - 14.41%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
  • Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Graduate student

General Graduate School Cosigned

Student Loans

For international students seeking graduate loans for degree programs in allied health, nursing, pharmacy, PhD programs, and other advanced graduate degrees (MA, MS) with a cosigner.

Variable APR* 5.01% - 14.72%
Fixed APR* 3.89% - 14.41%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school
  • Must be an international student who is a U.S. temporary resident or has a Temporary Protected status
  • Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident

REWARDS:

REPAYMENT OPTIONS (available while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school and during Grace Period)*:

  • Deferred Repayment: Start payments up to 9 months after leaving school
  • In School Interest-Only Repayment
  • $25 Minimum Payment
  • Immediate Repayment*
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

GRACE PERIOD:

  • Postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9-months after graduation or leaving the program, or otherwise dropping to less than half-time enrollment status

EXTENDED IN-SCHOOL PERIOD:

  • Maximum in-school period is 36 months
Astronaut with flag

Parent

Credit-Based Loan

For parents, grandparents, guardians, and sponsors with an international student attending an eligible school.

Variable APR* 5.51% - 15.22%
Fixed APR* 5.10% - 15.61%

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Must be a parent, grandparent, guardian, or sponsor with an eligible student who is enrolled less than half-time, half-time or full-time at a degree-granting, Title IV, Ascent eligible school
  • Meet the minimum credit score and income requirements

REPAYMENT OPTIONS

  • Interest-Only Repayment
  • Immediate Repayment
See repayment examples

TERMS*:

  • 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15-Years

(No penalty for early repayment)

Check your rate without impacting your credit score.

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How to get your private student loan for international students

You’ve already put a lot of work into preparing for college.

  1. 1.

    Submit your pre-qualification

    We ask you to provide important information such as your name, address, date of birth, the school you’re applying to, and employment information. If you’re applying with a cosigner, they’ll also enter their information.

  2. 2.

    Customize your loan details

    Once your completed loan application is approved, you’ll be able to view your loan details and select the loan terms that work best for you.

  3. 3.

    Complete any open loan tasks in your Ascent portal

    After you choose your loan terms, complete any loan application tasks in your Ascent portal.

  4. 4.

    We pay the school

    When your portal tasks are complete, we send your loan for school certification. Once certified, we’ll disburse your loan directly to the school.

Additional requirements for international student loans

In addition to a creditworthy cosigner, international students attending a university in the U.S. must be able to verify your individual resident status and provide proof of identification:

  • Temporary Resident Status

    Option 1

    Valid Visa

    A valid visa** must not expire within 6-months of the end of the enrollment period for which the loan is being requested. Acceptable forms are as follows:

    G-1
    H-1B
    L-1
    M-3
    M-1
    F-1
    H-1C
    H-3
    T-1
    F-3
    H-2B
    J-1
    TN
    T-2
    T-3
    T-4
    T-5
    T-6
    U
    U-1

    AND Social security card

    Option 2

    (in lieu of unexpired VISA and Social Security Card):

    I-20 Form

    (pages 1 & 2 signed - if applicable)

    AND

    Unexpired Passport

    from country of origin

  • Temporary Protected status students must upload the following documentation verifying your resident status

    • Form I-797, Notice of Action
    • Unexpired Passport from country of origin
    • Social Security Card (if applicable)

    See here for eligible Temporary Protected Status countries

  • Obtaining an I-20 to study?

    An I-20 is one of the documents we will require to fund your education.* If you do not have an I-20 yet or are planning on using Ascent as your proof of funding, we can help!

    If you have a U.S citizen or U.S permanent resident cosigner and are conditionally approved, we will issue you a conditional approval letter, which you can take to your visa appointment. Once you’re approved for the I-20 documentation, you can upload your documentation in your Ascent portal and proceed with your loan application.

    *Note: We do not accept all visa types. Please see above for eligible visa types.

  • Credit Score

    Eligible international students with no credit score or eligible students that meet a minimum credit score must apply with a cosigner. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner.

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115,000+ people have trusted Ascent to provide more than just a loan**

  • 82%

    of credit-based college loan borrowers increased their credit score1

  • 1.2 million+

    minutes of financial wellness education accessed

  • $355,000+

    scholarships awarded by Ascent since 2020

Hear from real borrowers

Ascent funding has the strategy that makes loan applications accessible to international students. This is the best of all. So optimal and appreciated.

Kehinde E.

Easy to navigate, easy for you to understand, easy to fill up the forms and very organized, also super happy that they include international students

Mariana V.

I've had such a struggle finding a loan and Ascent made it so simple. Not only was the process a weight lifted off my shoulders, but also ensured that I understood more about loans in general.

Emily S.
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Resources for college students and families

Have questions about Ascent's private student loans for international students?

We have answers.

From your first application to your final payment, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way. Our 100% U.S.-based Customer Service Team is here for you.

Ascent is an innovative private student loan program that provides access to higher education funding for an expanded population of undergraduate and graduate students, while encouraging the financial wellness of students and their families.

We advocate awareness of the potential financial outcomes of your higher education choices (school, major, years in school, financing your education), helping you visualize where your career could go and what it could be – encouraging better decisions today to open up greater future opportunities.

Ascent offers loan products to help international undergraduate and graduate students pay for college.

International undergraduate and graduate students have the option to apply for a Cosigned Credit-Based Loan. Ascent created customized grad school loans for:

  • Business School (MBA)
  • Dental School (DMD, DDS)
  • Law School (JD, LLM)
  • Medical School (MD, DO, DVM, VMD, DPM)
  • General Graduate School (Health Professionals, Nursing, Pharmacy, MA, MS, PhD, etc.)
College loans for international students studying in the U.S. can cover costs associated with undergraduate or graduate programs. Like all Ascent loans, your international student loan will be paid directly to your school to cover any tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other college costs.
No, international students in the USA must have a cosigner for student loans. Your cosigner has to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, among other requirements.
Yes, Ascent provides private student loans for international students attending U.S. universities. You’ll need a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, has a credit score that meets our requirements, and can provide proof of an income of at least $30,000 a year.

*Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 07/01/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 06/01/2025, a 0.5% discount on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 06/01/2025, and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based college student loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.

**Over 115,000 borrowers took out an Ascent loan for college or career training tuition or expenses between January 2018 and November 2024.

1Impact to score may vary. For some, scores may not improve. Results will depend on many factors, including on-time payment history, the status of non-Ascent accounts, and other financial history.

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