Private Student Loans

Achieve your dreams of higher education with a low rate student loan!
Easily apply with a cosigner to improve your chances of loan approval and a lower interest rate.
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Returning borrowers sign in here.

No Application Fees

Rates as low as (with AutoPay) 4

2.99%

Fixed APR

OR

4.31%

Variable APR

4.5 out of 5 star review

No Application Fees

Rates as low as (with AutoPay) 4

2.99%

Fixed APR

OR

4.31%

Variable APR

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Reviews

Trustpilot

Get Better Rates with a Cosigner

A creditworthy cosigner can make all the difference when it comes to a private student loan application's chances for approval. Cosigners play a critical role in helping borrowers to secure the best private student loans and qualify for a lower loan rate. If you’re a creditworthy cosigner, you can help a student responsibly borrow funds for their education. And often for a rate well below one they could get on their own.

Being a cosigner helps make a college education possible for the borrower, but the responsibility does come with financial risks. If the student defaults on the student loan, the cosigner will be held liable for the remaining loan payments, and his or her credit history may be affected (in addition to the borrower’s). There are also certain requirements the cosigner must meet. The cosigner must have a good credit history and demonstrate certain income requirements.

Student Loan Eligibility

Eligibility for federal, state and university funded financial aid is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students are strongly encouraged to apply for federal aid by completing the FAFSA, which can be obtained online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Students can check their eligibility for a private student loan with LendKey and our network of private student loan lenders by starting a student loan application.

The Benefits of Making Student Loan Payments While in School

Going into debt for college is often necessary for many families to achieve the goal of a higher education. If not done responsibly, managing debt after graduation can become an overwhelming task. Certain loans, such as the subsidized Stafford loan and the Perkins Loan have interest paid for by the government while the student is enrolled in school. However unsubsidized Stafford loans and private student loans do accrue interest while the student is in school.

In-school payments allow the student to make a standard minimum monthly payment towards the loan. This develops healthy financial habits and can help reduce the amount of total interest expense. More importantly, it helps the student develop a credit history for future loans after graduation.

The ability to make a payment towards loans while in school has been available for both federal and private student loans, but generally not promoted by private student loan lenders, with most student borrowers electing to defer loan payments until after graduation. In-school student loan payments provide the ability to reduce the debt load students face after graduation.

Private Student Loan FAQs

See all FAQs

Private Student Loans

Dream big, borrow smart

We offer private student loans from trusted community lenders, covering higher education costs without stress. Borrow up to 100% of your school-certified expenses with competitive rates, no application fees, and in-school payment flexibility.
Apply Now
Returning borrowers sign in here
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Cover Full Cost of College

Borrow up to 100% of your school-certified tuition, books, housing, and more—so nothing stands between you and your degree.
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No Fees, No Surprises

Enjoy zero application, origination, or prepayment fees with every LendKey loan, so more of your money goes toward your education, instead of hidden charges.
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Flexible Options

Choose either a low fixed monthly payment or pay only interest while in school, then easily transition to full payments after graduation to fit your budget and limit debt growth.

Private Student Loans

Dream big, borrow smart

We offer private student loans from trusted community lenders, covering higher education costs without stress. Borrow up to 100% of your school-certified expenses with competitive rates, no application fees, and in-school payment flexibility.
Apply Now
Returning borrowers sign in here
Image

Cover Full Cost of College

Borrow up to 100% of your school-certified tuition, books, housing, and more—so nothing stands between you and your degree.
Image

No Fees, No Surprises

Enjoy zero application, origination, or prepayment fees with every LendKey loan, so more of your money goes toward your education, instead of hidden charges.
Image

Flexible Options

Choose either a low fixed monthly payment or pay only interest while in school, then easily transition to full payments after graduation to fit your budget and limit debt growth.

Key Features of a Private Student Loan

Amounts
Borrow up to 100% of school-certified costs
Terms
10-year terms
In-school Payments
$25 fixed or interest-only options, up to 60 months
Cosigner Release
Apply for release after making required payments on time
Forbearance
Up to 18 months for qualifying hardship

Rates as low as1

2.99%
Fixed APR*
4.31%
Variable APR*
*Rates shown include 0.25% autopay discount.
Apply Now

How Private Student Loans Work

Complete Your Application

Apply online and upload the required documents. Your cosigner (if any) can join at this step.

Review and Accept Your Offer

Compare loan options and choose the terms that fit your budget.

Funds Sent to Your School

School certifies loan amount, and funds are sent directly to your college or university.
Apply Now

Why Choose LendKey for Your Private Loan?

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Trusted Network

We work with trusted, community lenders who prioritize people over profits, offering a more personal touch.
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Dedicated Support

Our support team is here to help you and your cosigner at every step.
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Financial Wellness

We provide benefits such as career help and credit health reviews.

Get Better Rates with a Cosigner

A cosigner may improve your chances of approval and help you qualify for better private student loan rates. Borrowers with a cosigner are more likely to be approved and may receive interest rates several percentage points lower than those applying on their own.

Being a cosigner could help make a college education possible for the student, but the responsibility does come with financial risks. If the student defaults on the student loan, the cosigner will be held liable for the remaining loan payments, and his or her credit history may be affected (in addition to the borrower’s). There are also certain requirements the cosigner must meet. The cosigner must have a good credit history and demonstrate certain income requirements. Some private student loan lenders also offer cosigner release after a set number of on-time payments.

Are you looking to help a student by cosigning for their school loan? Complete your portion of the application here. If the student has not yet applied, they will need to do so first.

Student Loan Cosigner Login

Frequently Asked Questions

See all FAQs

Ready to Get Started?

Check your eligibility for a private student loan by starting your application today.
Apply Now

Always use grants, scholarships, and federal student loans first. Private loans should only fill the gap after you’ve exhausted all your federal aid options—federal loans offer more protections and better terms for most students.

1Full loan approval is subject to creditworthiness and other criteria. Interest rates and monthly payments will vary based on the loan amount, term length, and borrower qualifications.

The lowest rates are for the most creditworthy consumers. The initial rate is determined after a full review of the application and credit profile. To proceed with any conditional offers after pre-qualification, a full application is required, which includes another credit inquiry that may affect the credit score. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents in eligible states and meet credit and income requirements. Membership requirements, such as opening a share account and paying fees, may apply if accepting a loan from a credit union lender. Non-members can apply and become members during the loan process.