Can I Get Private Student Loans Without a Co-signer?

It is well-known that there are two types of student loans - private and federal. It is lesser known that the requirements for each are vastly different. Federal student loans are primarily need-based while private student loans are predominately based on income. Since private student loans rely on income statistics, an individual's credit score is the main determinant as to whether or not the loan will be issued. If you have bad credit, or little to no credit, it can be quite difficult to receive a loan without a co-signer. Conversely, if you have good credit it much simpler to qualify and get fast approval for a private loan without a co-signer.

Keeping it Real

This is the way the world works: you are only as good as what you can prove on paper. At one time, students could receive private student loans without the need for a co-signer. However, since the economy has been flirting with a second Great Depression, credit lenders have tightened their purse strings and imposed more stringent qualifications. If an individual doesn't have good credit and applies for private student loans without a co-signer, it is a complete waste of time since lenders heavily rely on credit scores. Co-signers are needed as a type of safety net for the lender; should the borrower renege on his repayment obligations, the co-signer becomes legally responsible for the loan and any remaining balance.

What Can I do to Get Private Student Loans without a Co-signer?

Since the days of "free" credit are over, many borrowers are left wondering just how they are going to pay for their education. If you do not have the benefit of a co-signer and are looking to apply for private loans, there is only one thing you can do to improve your chances of receiving the loans you seek.

Make improvements to your credit score - this refers back to the keeping it real section since paper is proof. Improving your credit profile is the only way to raise your credit score; this is often not the best option for most borrowers since it is an extensive and lengthy process that has limited immediate results. It is best to plan ahead; if an individual is planning on attending college, he should do all that he can in the previous months to glam up his credit report.

So What's Next?

If the above steps fail, the only other available option is to pursue federal loans. The biggest selling point for these types of student loans is that a co-signer is not required. Assuming the financial need can be quantified, just about anyone with a pulse can get a federal student loan. These particular loans tend to have lower interest rates than private loans and have easier approval processes.

All in all, receiving private loans without a co-signer is an arduous task. If you have a negative credit history and a co-signer is unavailable to you, it is best to prepare early. If your credit profile cannot be repaired in sufficient time, consider the advantages of a federal loan in order to maximize the amount of financing you can receive to attend college.

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