Graduate Private Student Loans
A loan that works as hard as you do
Take your education to the next level with a private student loan that offers some of the most flexible repayment options1 and
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Benefits
Everything you need from a private student loan
Focus on your grad degree, not how you’ll afford it. With Earnest, you can quickly apply and get an answer – all on your phone, laptop, or tablet.
Quick, mobile application protected by end-to-end encryption
, no origination fees, no disbursement fees
Skip a payment once per year without penalities
Save 0.25% on interest by enrolling in
and never miss a payment
If you need a cosigner, invite them with a tap or click
Choose from
to get your ideal monthly payment
Get a
vs. the 6-month you get with most competitors
Questions? Talk to a human with the knowledge and power to help at (888) 601-2801, 6:00 am - 5:00 pm PT, Monday - Friday.
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Fixed Rates
Low rates for grad school
Applying with a cosigner could give you a lower rate and increase your odds of approval by 5X. Most cosigners tend to have a longer credit history and get lower rates when compared to most students.
Cosigned
1.99%APR
( including 0.50%* combined
rate discounts )
*Our lowest rates are only available for the most credit qualified existing cosigned loan borrowers who receive the 0.25% Loyalty discount and requires selection of our shortest term offered, full principal and interest payment while in school, and enrollment in our 0.25% Auto Pay discount.
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Get the FAQ’s on graduate private student loans
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The Earnest Blog
Prep your finances for grad school
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 Repayment terms and repayment options available vary based on loan type.
Available interest rates are subject to change. Interest rates are as of 9/4/2026 and without Auto Pay. Loan cost examples are based on a $10,000 loan with a 15-year/180-month term. For a variable rate loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. The variable interest rate is derived from the 30-day average SOFR index rate plus a margin. Changes in the 30-day average SOFR index rate may cause your monthly payment to increase or decrease. Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, returned check, or prepayments.
For Interest-Only, Fixed $25, and Deferred payments, your actual repayment terms may vary. For Interest-Only, Fixed $25 and Deferred Payments, the calculations below assume that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9-month grace period (for a total of 57 months).
Principal and Interest Payments: These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. A 17.10% annual percentage rate ("APR") variable interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $154.61 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,829.80. A 16.74% APR fixed interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $152.07 and 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 and the 9-month grace period. A 17.10% APR variable interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $154.61 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,952.30. During in-school and grace periods, the monthly interest-only payment will be $142.50. A 16.74% APR fixed interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $152.07 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,324.10. During in-school and grace periods, the monthly payment will be $139.50.
Fixed $25 Payments: These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school and during the 9-month grace period. A 17.10% variable interest rate (15.11% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $258.16 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,893.80. A 16.74% fixed interest rate (14.84% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $251.31 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $46,660.80. For both variable and fixed rate loans, the monthly payment will be $25 during in-school and grace periods.
Deferred Payments: These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. A 17.10% variable interest rate (14.85% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $280.20 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $50,436. A 16.74% fixed interest rate (14.58% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $272.98 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,136.40.
last updated: 09/29/2026