Quick Summary: Federal student loans don’t require a cosigner, making them the easiest path for graduate students borrowing independently. If you need private loans to fill gaps, some lenders, including Sallie Mae, SoFi, and Earnest, may approve qualified graduate students without a cosigner, though approval typically requires strong credit and income.
Paying for graduate school is never an easy decision. But it can be even more complicated if you don’t have a cosigner.
Fortunately, there are several lenders that service graduate school loans, even if you don’t apply with a cosigner. Keep reading to see what your choices are and how this decision will affect your approval chances.
Do federal loans require a cosigner?
No. If you need student loans and don’t have a cosigner, you should start with federal student loans. Federal student loans never require a cosigner, even if you have poor or no credit.
However, federal student loans may not cover the full cost of your program. There are two main options for federal graduate student loans: Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans.
The maximum annual amount for Direct Unsubsidized Loans is $20,500 per year, up to $138,500 total including any loans taken out as an undergraduate student.
Grad PLUS Loans cover up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid, but they do require a credit check for adverse credit history. Borrowers with adverse credit can still qualify by using an endorser (similar to a cosigner) or documenting extenuating circumstances.
⚠️ 2026 Update: Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Grad PLUS Loans will be eliminated for new borrowers starting July 1, 2026. Students already enrolled in a graduate program before that date may still be eligible. New federal borrowing caps will be $20,500 per year for most graduate students and $50,000 per year for professional programs (medical, dental, law, and similar fields). These caps make private loans a more important funding source for many graduate students going forward.
Which private lenders offer no-cosigner options?
To qualify for a private loan without a cosigner, you generally need a strong credit history and a reliable source of income. Most lenders also require at least half-time enrollment.
In general, interest rates will likely be higher than if you had a cosigner. Having a cosigner almost always makes you a stronger applicant, and lenders often reward that with a lower interest rate.
However, not everyone can qualify for a no-cosigner student loan. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, for example, you may find it very difficult to get approved without a cosigner.
Here are some private lenders that work with graduate students who don’t have a cosigner:
Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae reports that graduate students are more likely to be approved without a cosigner compared to undergraduate students, in part because grad students tend to have more established credit histories.
That said, Sallie Mae notes that students with cosigners were four times more likely to be approved last year, so applying independently is still the harder path. Sallie Mae does not publish a specific minimum credit score or income requirement, though you must be the age of majority in your state. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will need a cosigner to be eligible.
SoFi
SoFi does not list a specific minimum credit score, but applicants must have valid legal status, a Social Security Number or ITIN, at least half-time enrollment, and be the age of majority in their state.
SoFi notes that borrowers can add a cosigner to increase their likelihood of approval. SoFi also offers cosigner release after 12 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments on in-school student loans, so even if you start with a cosigner, you can work toward borrowing independently.
Earnest
Earnest has some of the clearest eligibility requirements for students who don’t have a cosigner. You must have at least a 650 FICO credit score, a minimum annual income of $35,000, and be enrolled at least half-time.
Keep in mind that Earnest reports that students are five times more likely to be approved with a cosigner, and rates for independent borrowers start higher. Cosigned loans also unlock shorter repayment terms and additional in-school repayment options that aren’t available to independent borrowers.
For a broader comparison of lenders, see our guide to the best private student loans for graduate school.
Which programs have better no-cosigner options?
It’s often easier to qualify for a private student loan without a cosigner if you are attending medical, dental, or law school. The same can be true for MBA programs. Lenders view these programs as lower risk because graduates typically earn higher starting salaries, which makes repayment more likely.
For example, a lender evaluating a student in a high-earning professional program may be more willing to extend credit without a cosigner than they would for a graduate student in a field with lower average earnings. Some lenders even offer specialized loan products for medical, dental, and law students with more competitive rates and higher borrowing limits.
If you’re enrolled in one of these programs, check whether your school partners with specific lenders or has institutional loan options that may not require a cosigner.
How can you improve your chances of approval without a cosigner?
Your credit score is arguably the biggest factor that influences your chances of approval. You can check your credit score for free through many banks and credit card companies, including Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. Sometimes you don’t even have to be a customer to check your score.
The minimum credit score needed to qualify depends on the lender. For example, Earnest requires a 650 score and a minimum annual income of $35,000 if you don’t have a cosigner. Other lenders, like Sallie Mae, don’t publicly disclose their minimums.
If you have existing debt, especially credit card debt, try to pay it down before applying. Lenders look at your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your available credit you’re using) and keeping it below 30% can help improve both your credit score and your approval odds.
Also, focus on lenders that specifically market to graduate students borrowing independently, and apply to multiple lenders to compare offers. Many lenders let you check your rate with a soft credit pull, which won’t affect your credit score.
What are the trade-offs of borrowing without a cosigner?
If you don’t have a cosigner, you may find it harder to qualify for the lowest interest rates. Lenders generally reserve their best rates for applicants who apply with a creditworthy cosigner.
At Earnest, for example, the lowest fixed rate for graduate students is lower with a cosigner than without, with the rates posted for each. You may also have access to fewer repayment term options and in-school payment plans as an independent borrower.
Approval in general becomes more difficult without a cosigner, and you may receive lower borrowing limits. If your program costs significantly more than what federal loans cover, this could leave a funding gap.
If you do decide to add a cosigner, look for a lender that offers a cosigner release program. These let you remove the cosigner from the loan after meeting certain requirements, typically a set number of consecutive on-time payments and proof that you can qualify on your own.
For example, both Sallie Mae and SoFi allow cosigner release after 12 on-time principal and interest payments. If your lender doesn’t offer cosigner release (Earnest, for instance, does not), you can still remove the cosigner later by refinancing the loan in your name only.
Bottom line
Before you apply for a private student loan without a cosigner, try to max out your federal student loans first. Federal loans have much lower borrowing requirements and don’t require a cosigner, making them the best starting point.
Once you’ve tapped those, explore private student loans to cover any remaining gap. Compare offers from multiple lenders, and if you still have time before you need to borrow, work on improving your credit score and paying down existing debt.
Both will help your chances of qualifying on your own. For a side-by-side look at your options, check out our best private student loans for graduate school guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate students can borrow federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans without a cosigner (Grad PLUS requires a credit check but not a cosigner). Some private lenders, including Sallie Mae, SoFi, and Earnest, may also approve graduate students without a cosigner if they have strong credit and income.
Yes, getting private student loans without a cosigner is possible if you have a good credit score, sufficient income, and meet the lender’s other eligibility requirements. Each lender sets its own criteria, so it’s worth comparing multiple options.
There is no universal minimum credit score, as each lender sets its own requirements. Earnest, for example, requires a minimum 650 FICO score and a minimum annual income of $35,000 for applicants without a cosigner. Other lenders don’t publicly disclose their minimums, so applying to multiple lenders is a good way to find out where you stand.
No. Federal student loans, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans, do not require a cosigner. Grad PLUS Loans do require a credit check for adverse credit history, but borrowers who don’t pass can use an endorser or document extenuating circumstances to still qualify.
Some lenders accept DACA students without a cosigner. Both SoFi and Earnest, for example, accept DACA applicants. However, you must still meet all other eligibility criteria, including credit score, income, and enrollment requirements.
