The Earnest Blog > For Students, Paying for College
Do you need a cosigner for a student loan?
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Quick Summary
While a cosigner is generally not required for federal student loans, many students may need one to qualify for a lower private student loan rate.
Having a creditworthy cosigner may help you qualify for a student loan and receive a lower interest rate.
The right cosigner is someone you trust, who understands the responsibility, and has strong credit and financial stability.
Before asking someone to cosign, understand the loan terms, have a repayment plan, and be clear about expectations.
Need a little help getting approved for a student loan? You're not alone. Many students haven't had time to build a strong credit history or have little to no income—applying with a cosigner can improve their chances of approval.
What is a cosigner?
A cosigner is someone (often a parent, family member, or trusted friend) who applies for a loan with you and is equally responsible for repayment of the loan. A cosigner can feel like your own financial cheerleader: They boost your confidence and make you feel supported. Plus, applying with a cosigner could help you unlock lower interest rates, which helps you save over the life of the loan. At Earnest, students are 5X more likely to be approved with a cosigner.
Needing a cosigner is extremely common—and sometimes unavoidable. Around 93% of Earnest undergraduate private student loan borrowers had a cosigner in 2025. And almost half of our graduate students, about 45%, also had cosigners.
How do I know if I need a cosigner?
You may want to consider a student loan cosigner if you:
Have limited or no credit history
Have a low credit score
Have little or no income
Are applying for a private student loan
Want to improve your chances of approval
Want to qualify for a lower interest rate
On the other hand, you may not need a cosigner if you're only using federal student loans, have established credit and a steady income, or can meet a private lender's qualification requirements on your own. Keep in mind that every lender has different underwriting criteria, so whether you'll need a cosigner can vary based on your financial profile and the loan you're applying for.
How do I choose a student loan cosigner?
When you're looking for a cosigner, the goal is simple: find someone who meets the requirements, is comfortable helping, and has the financial profile to strengthen your application. Here are a few tips for choosing the right cosigner:
Know the lender's student loan cosigner requirements
Before you ask someone to cosign a student loan, take a look at the eligibility criteria. Many lenders have student loan cosigner requirements, like being a U.S. citizen with a solid credit history and stable income. Understanding these basics upfront can help you narrow your list and avoid awkward conversations.
Choose someone you can trust
A cosigner should be more than just someone who's likely to say yes. Look for someone you trust and expect to have a long, positive relationship with. They should understand the responsibility and feel comfortable helping.
Look for financial stability
Your cosigner should be financially secure enough to take on the responsibility if unexpected circumstances arise. Cosigners with stable income and strong credit can help you get a lower interest rate. But their credit doesn’t have to be perfect. Many lenders look at a combination of factors, including credit history and income, so someone may still qualify to cosign even if their credit isn't flawless.
Do federal student loans require a cosigner?
No, federal student loans don’t require a cosigner, but Direct PLUS loans made to borrowers who continue to be eligible for the program and have adverse credit will need to obtain an endorser. To complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), most students will need financial information from a parent or guardian.
Here are some of the best federal student loans you can get without a cosigner. The costs and benefits vary based on the type of loan, so consider carefully.
Direct Subsidized Loans: Available to undergraduate students who’ve demonstrated financial need, Subsidized Loans can be one of the most affordable ways to borrow for school. The government pays your interest while you’re in school, during a post-graduation grace period, and during any deferments. These loans also offer low, fixed interest rates, loan forgiveness options and income-driven repayment plans.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Unsubsidized Loans are available to most students, regardless of financial need. Like subsidized loans, they offer fixed rates, income-driven repayment plans and loan forgiveness options. The difference is that the student is responsible for the interest and it starts accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed, so it's generally a good idea to use subsidized loans first if you're eligible.
Direct Parent PLUS loans: Parent PLUS loans are federal loans that eligible parents can use to help pay for a dependent undergraduate student's education. These loans require a credit check and generally have higher interest rates and fees than other federal student loans.
Most private student loan lenders don’t require a cosigner either. So, after you’ve applied for federal loans, school-sponsored financial aid, and scholarships, you can look into private loans to help fill in any gaps.
How do I start the conversation?
Asking for a cosigner isn't always easy. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the conversation feel more natural and productive.
Instead of starting with “will you cosign for me?”, mention your financial goals. Try something like, “I’ve been doing some research on the best ways to finance my education. Would you be willing to talk about this with me when I see you next week?”
If they agree, come prepared with key talking points—your track record for paying rent or monthly bills, your current income, your savings, or any financial support you may receive. Some borrowers go as far as bringing a copy of their credit report or proof of income (pay stubs, W2).
Throughout the conversation, be open and listen. Answer any questions they may have and let them know you don’t need an answer right away.
How can I reassure my cosigner that I’m not a risk?
Being a cosigner is a big financial responsibility. If, for some reason, you can’t make payments, your cosigner will be on the hook for the loan. So it’s understandable that they may be hesitant to agree before signing a cosigner loan. But there are a few things you can do to put their mind at ease:
What can you do | Why it matters |
Understand your loan | Before asking someone to cosign, learn how the loan works. Look into cosigner release1 requirements, missed payment policies, hardship assistance like deferment or forbearance, and refinancing options. Being able to explain how your cosigner can eventually be removed from the loan may help them feel more comfortable saying yes. |
Have a backup plan | Your goal is to make every payment on time, but it's smart to think through unexpected situations like job loss or financial hardship. Having a plan for how you'll handle challenges shows responsibility and can help answer any concerns your potential cosigner may have. |
Keep your cosigner informed | Make it a habit to keep your cosigner in the loop about upcoming payments and payment activity. Some lenders send bills to cosigners as well as borrowers, so a little communication can go a long way in preventing surprises and maintaining trust. |
Set clear expectations | Talk through each person's responsibilities before signing the loan. Discuss how payments will be made, how you'll communicate if problems arise, and your plan for pursuing cosigner release, if available. Putting expectations in writing can help prevent misunderstandings later. |
At Earnest, you can apply with or without a cosigner
Many students choose to apply with a cosigner because they can help strengthen your application, improve your chances of approval, and potentially help you qualify for a lower interest rate.
At Earnest, 73% of applicants apply with a cosigner—and 93% of our approved undergrad loans have cosigners. We offer low-rate private loans to graduate and undergraduate students (with and without a cosigner). Plus, you can borrow up to 100% of your school-certified costs and choose from a variety of repayment options2—all with no fees3 and support from our award-winning customer service team.
Check your eligibility online in just a few minutes without impacting your credit score. Or use our calculator to estimate your student loan payments and explore your options.
About the Author
Kassondra Cloos
Kassondra Cloos is a writer, editor, and former Earnest client. She refinanced her own student loans with Earnest after graduating and has first-hand experience with the refinancing process. She has been writing about personal finance and student loans since 2017. She also writes about sustainable travel and adventure for The Guardian, Outside, Backpacker, and many other publications. You can find more of her work via her travel newsletter, Out of Office.
Disclaimer
This blog post provides personal finance educational information, and it is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice. It is accurate as of its publishing date.
Earnest Private Student Loans are subject to credit approval
Before applying for private student loans, it’s best to maximize your other sources of financial aid first. It’s recommended to use a 3-step approach to assembling the funds you need: 1) Look for funds you don’t have to pay back, like scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. 2) Next, fill out a FAFSA® form to apply for federal student loans options. 3) Finally, consider a private student loan to cover any difference between your total cost of attendance and the amount not covered in steps 1 and 2. For more information, visit the Department of Education website at studentaid.gov.
1 To request cosigner release, the primary borrower must have made 12 consecutive, monthly on-time principal and interest payments (or an amount equal thereto) immediately preceding the cosigner release application. The primary borrower must satisfy certain eligibility and credit criteria at the time of application. Additional terms and conditions may apply. To qualify for automatic cosigner release, the outstanding principal balance of your loan must be paid down to 50% or less of the original principal balance. The primary borrower must have made 36 months of required payments after the end of the Interim Period. The primary borrower must meet our eligibility and minimum credit requirements. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
2 Repayment terms and repayment options available vary based on loan type.
3 Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, returned check, or prepayments. Florida Stamp Tax: For Florida residents, Florida documentary stamp tax is required by law, calculated as $0.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of the principal loan amount, the amount of which is provided in the Final Disclosure. Lender will add the stamp tax to the principal loan amount. The full amount will be paid directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. Certificate of Registration No. 78-8016373916-1.