Private Student Loans

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 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.

² Repayment terms and repayment options available vary based on loan type.

³ Available interest rates are subject to change. Interest rates as of 9/4/2026. Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples:

Principal and Interest Payments: These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable annual percentage rate ("APR"): A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $154.61) and a 17.10% interest rate without Auto Pay (17.10% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,829.80. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.07) and a 16.74% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.74% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,372.60.

Interest-Only Payments: These examples provide estimates based on interest-only payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $154.61) and a 17.10% interest rate without Auto Pay (17.10% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,952.30. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $142.50 for 57 months. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.07) and a 16.74% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.74% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $34,324.10. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $139.50 for 57 months.

Fixed $25 Payments: These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $258.16) and a 17.10% interest rate without Auto Pay (15.11% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,893.80. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $251.31) and a 16.74% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.84% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $46,660.80. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $25.00.

Deferred Payments: These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $280.20) and a 17.10% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $50,436.00. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $272.98) and a 16.74% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.58% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,136.40. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when the deferred repayment option has been selected and the loan is in the interim period. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $0.

⁴ Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.

⁵ To qualify for this Earnest Rate Match and Bonus offer: 1) you must submit a completed student loan application; 2) you must provide documentation of an eligible competitive rate offer exclusive of all discounts by calling Client Happiness at (888) 601-2801 or chat on Earnest.com and follow the instructions to send in your proof of lower rate; and 3) you must provide a valid email address during the application process. This offer cannot be combined with Earnest’s Loyalty Discount. The bonus will be paid out in the form of a gift card to the primary borrower only (regardless of who submits the rate match). You will receive instructions on how to redeem the gift card via the email address you have provided. Limit one rate match bonus per application. A bonus cannot be issued to residents in KY, MA, MI, or to applicants eligible for awards under other qualified programs. Bonuses that are not redeemed within 180 calendar days of the date they were made available to the recipient may be subject to forfeit. Bonus amounts of $600 or greater in a single calendar year may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as miscellaneous income to the recipient on Form 1099-MISC in the year received as required by applicable law. Recipient is responsible for any applicable federal, state or local taxes associated with receiving the bonus offer; consult your tax advisor to determine applicable tax consequences. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Earnest may discontinue this program at any time.

⁶ Only applicants who have previously obtained a disbursed Earnest Private Student Loan are eligible for the Loyalty Discount. To obtain the discount you must also apply using the same email address associated with that loan. Only one Loyalty Discount may be applied per eligible Earnest Private Student Loan, and applicants eligible for separate discounts or awards under other qualified programs may not qualify. This offer cannot be combined with Earnest’s Rate Match program. Earnest may modify or discontinue this offer at any time and without notice; however, once a Loyalty Discount is earned, it will not be taken away.

⁷ Earnest clients may skip a single payment during a 12 month period. Your first request to skip a pay can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time full principal and interest payments, and your loan is in good standing. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term.