Private Parent Loans
Make college dreams a reality
Sending your student to college is a clear and painless process with Earnest. Cover up to 100% of your student's college costs with low rates and zero fees1.
Private Parent Loan 101
What’s a Private Parent Loan?
A loan for parents, guardians, or sponsors to help cover the cost of your student’s education. It differs from a cosigned loan because only the parent is responsible for paying it back.
If you’re interested in a cosigned private student loan, visit this page instead.
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Our Benefits
A parent loan that won't leave you guessing
Zero fees. The number you see is the number you get: no origination, returned payment, or late payment fees1.
Not limited to parents. Guardians, sponsors, and parents can borrow for your student's undergraduate or graduate degree.
Cover the full cost. Borrow up to 100% of your student's school-certified cost of attendance.
Save on interest. 0.25% Auto Pay discount2 plus an extra 0.25% for returning customers3. Pay less over the life of your loan.
More breathing room. Get
after your student finishes school to start payments vs. most lenders’ 6 months.
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Low Rates
Some of the lowest parent loan rates
Choose from a low variable or fixed interest rate. Learn more about the differences between fixed and variable rates on the Earnest Blog.
Fixed Rates
1.99%APR
( including 0.50%* combined Auto Pay2 and Loyalty3 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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Expert Help
Client Happiness is at the heart of Earnest
You’ve got backup when applying with Earnest. Our in-house Client Happiness team can help answer your questions and even help you submit your application over the phone.
You can reach us via email and web chat; if you prefer to speak to a real person call between 6:00 am - 5:00 pm PT, Monday - Friday, at (888) 601-2801.
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Ready to apply? Here’s how it works.
Enter your information
Basic info from you takes under 15 minutes with instant decisions for most.
Choose your loan options
View rates and select your loan length and
before signing.
Sign and accept
We'll send details to the school for certification, then you and your student are all set.
Questions?
Get the FAQs on Earnest Private Parent Loans
The Earnest Blog
Learn more about parent loans on the Earnest blog
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 You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment from a checking or savings account. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when loan payments are deferred during the interim period as a result of selecting the deferred repayment option.
3 To qualify for the Loyalty Discount, you must be a primary borrower with a previously disbursed Earnest Private Student Loan and apply using the same email address associated with that loan. Only one Loyalty Discount may be applied per eligible Earnest Private Student Loan. The Loyalty Discount may not be combined with other discounts, awards, or promotional programs, including Earnest’s Rate Match program, with the exception of the Auto Pay discount. Earnest may modify or discontinue this offer at any time and without notice, but such changes will not affect any Loyalty Discount already earned.
last updated: 10/14/2026