Do you desire to study in an international school but you don’t know how to actualize that as a result of lack of funds? The good news is that there are opportunities for international student loans, where you can borrow money for your studies.
In this article, we will be looking at the Best international student loans to make your search easier for you. Borrowing money through a private, legal lender is the best way to afford school without involving the mafia.
Numerous companies lend to United States citizens, but those that offer loans for international students are fewer and further between. See Which Banks Give Best Student Loans?
Most lenders require international students to get a loan with a cosigner who is a citizen of the state or permanent resident. This gives the lender security in case the borrower can’t afford to pay back the loan or leaves the state.
Unfortunately, it also limits who is able to get a loan, as some potential borrowers may not have family or friends in the state who are willing or financially able to act as a cosigner.
Best International Student Loans
- Earnest: Best Overall
- Juno: Best for DACA Recipients
- Credible: Student Loan Marketplace
- Ascent: Best Interest Rates
- Citizens Bank: Best for Graduate Students With a Co-Signer
- Discover: Best Big Bank
- PenFed: Best Credit Union:
- MPower: Best for Undergraduate Students Without a Cosigner
- Prodigy: Best for Graduate Students Without a Cosigner
1. Earnest
Earnest offers a wide variety of student loans, including some specialized graduate loans and refinance loans. International students can apply without a cosigner if they meet some specific criteria.
Most international students will need a cosigner to apply who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meets borrower eligibility requirements.
The lender’s interest rates are competitive, and you’ll be able to borrow up to the cost of attendance. When it comes to repayment, there’s a lot of flexibility, as Earnest allows you to adjust your term down to the month.
You’ll also get a nine-month grace period after you graduate rather than the standard six-month period. Check Student Loan Forgiveness | What is Student Loan Forgiveness.
Earnest doesn’t charge any fees, aside from interest, and it offers a 0.25% discount on your interest rate if you set up automatic payments.
2. Juno Student Loan
Juno doesn’t offer student loans on its own. Rather, it gathers large groups of prospective borrowers and gets private student loan companies to compete for their business. This approach can help you secure a lower interest rate than you could get on your own.
As a DACA recipient or an international student, you can sign up for free to get started. There’s no cost or commitment, and you also don’t need to undergo a credit check.
Juno will pool you together with a group of other potential borrowers and ask its partner lenders to submit bids for your business.
Then, it’ll select the best bid and share the deal with you. If you agree, you’ll submit an application directly with the lender and get the features it offers. However, it’s highly likely that DACA and international students will need a cosigner.
3. MPOWER Financing
MPOWER Financing provides loans to international students studying in the USA or Canada based on their future income potential and without requiring a cosigner or collateral.
It offers fixed interest rates to students in any field of study as long as students are accepted or enrolled in one of the schools supported by the company and are in their last two years of study.
There is an interest rate discount for eligible students who enroll in autopay. MPOWER also provides other benefits to students including scholarships and career support services.
4. Ascent Student Loan
Ascent offers several student loan options for international students, particularly for graduate studies. The lender offers a wide range of repayment terms, which can vary based on your loan type, and borrowers can postpone payments after graduation for up to 9, 36, or 48 months, depending on the loan program and situation.
Moreover, with a 0.25% autopay discount on your interest rate, the lender offers a cash-back reward worth 1% of your loan balance when you graduate and meet certain requirements.
Before you apply, you can get pre-qualified to assess your eligibility. Remember, though, that as an international student, you’ll need a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and Ascent does not offer cosigner release for international students.
Conclusion
Even when you do find a lender willing to provide student loans for international students, it is important to consider the loan rates, since they will affect you for the next many years. For more information on this article, you can reach out to us via the comment section.
