Can International Students Get Loans Without a Cosigner?

Yes, but limited. In the U.S. some private and international lenders will underwrite loans without a U.S. cosigner by judging your program, school, future earnings potential, or local credit instead of U.S. credit. No-cosigner lending means the lender accepts your enrollment, school reputation, degree program, or expected salary as the main risk factors, not a U.S. guarantor. These products exist from specialist lenders; verify eligibility directly on lender sites such as MPOWER Loans eligibility page and Prodigy Finance supported schools. Note: U.S. federal student loans generally require 'eligible noncitizen' status, see federal noncitizen eligibility rules.

Expect higher APRs, possible origination fees, variable versus fixed rate choices, limited in-school deferment, and currency risk if you pay from abroad. Compare APR ranges, repayment while enrolled, lifetime caps, and FX exposure before borrowing.

• Proof of enrollment, I-20 or DS-2019.
• Valid passport and visa documentation.
• Degree level and remaining months to graduation.
• Proof of income, internship offers, or sponsor support.
• School certification or acceptance letter that matches lender requirements.
• Local bank statements or credit history if available.

Yes - there are specialist private lenders and school programs that commonly approve international students without a U.S. cosigner.

• MPower Financing no-cosigner student loans, who qualifies: international and DACA students in eligible U.S./Canadian degree programs; max funding: up to cost of attendance minus other aid; repayment: interest-only or deferred options while enrolled; underwriting: school enrollment, future employability, program and school lists; see current rates and terms on their site.
• Prodigy Finance no-cosigner grad loans, who qualifies: international grads at partner MBA, Masters, and select professional programs; max funding: varies by program, often up to tuition; repayment: in-school deferral then amortized repayment; underwriting: program ranking, career outcomes, salary projections; APRs posted on their site.
• Stilt student and personal loans, who qualifies: international students and immigrants without SSN or cosigner; max funding: smaller personal loan caps, check product pages; repayment: monthly from disbursement, no in-school pause in many cases; underwriting: income, work history, U.S. banking history.
• your school's financial aid page, who qualifies: varies by university partnerships; max funding: depends on program agreements; repayment: set by partner lender and school; underwriting: school-approved lists and student enrollment - confirm your school is supported.
• University-partnered no-cosigner programs, who qualifies: students at participating colleges; max funding and terms: lender-specific; repayment and underwriting: follow the partner lender and school listing, always verify the lender's current supported-school list on the official pages.

Yes - you can sometimes borrow abroad without a cosigner, but options vary sharply by country, lender, visa status, and school list.

• Canada: A few global lenders (for example, MPOWER) offer no-cosigner loans to qualifying international students, while major Canadian banks usually require a Canadian cosigner or permanent-resident guarantor. Check if your school runs internal loan programs, payment plans, or scholarship databases before applying. For provincial aid rules and international eligibility, see Ontario Student Assistance Program eligibility.
• UK: Specialist private lenders and some international-focused products may lend to non-UK cosigned students, often for master's programs only (Prodigy and similar lenders appear in this niche). Most international students are not eligible for Student Finance, so look into university hardship funds and school-arranged loans. For government guidance, see UK student finance rules.
• Home country: Many domestic banks offer study-abroad loans, typically requiring collateral, a guarantor, or proof of steady income; government scholarships or sponsorships can replace loans. Watch foreign-exchange risk, repayment currency, and cross-border enforcement of guarantees. For vetted, country-specific financing resources, consult EducationUSA country-specific guidance.

Before you apply, confirm the lender's supported-school list, whether your visa permits overseas borrowing or income, and repayment rules if you leave the country; small mismatches on lists, visa terms, or currency can void approvals or create costly exchange risk.

Most no-cosigner lenders cap loans based on your school's Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid, and then apply per-term and lifetime ceilings plus school certification.

MPOWER, for example, allows up to $50,000 per academic period and a $100,000 lifetime limit, subject to school verification and approval (MPOWER per-term and lifetime limits). Prodigy typically underwrites up to your COA (often 100% for many master's/STEM programs, sometimes 80% for business), with final amounts varying by university and program (Prodigy funding up to COA by program). Approved sums also reflect your program type, expected post-study income, and residency.

Worked example: if COA = $72,000 and you have $25,000 in scholarships, your theoretical cap is about $47,000, but final approval depends on the lender's per-term/lifetime caps and the school's certification. Graduate MBAs and STEM master's often qualify for higher awards. Expect some lenders to require in-school interest or payments, FX buffers for international disbursements, and that living-cost underestimates reduce usable funds.

Key drivers:

• Program/degree (MBA, STEM vs. humanities)
• School eligibility and certification
• Remaining time to graduate
• Residency/visa status
• In-school repayment requirements

You can borrow without a cosigner, but lenders weigh your visa status and U.S. credit heavily when deciding approval, rate, and loan size. Lenders first triage risk by visa category and remaining validity, your school and program stability, time left to graduate, and any U.S. credit or tax identity info you have. Valid F-1 or J-1 with a current I-20 or DS-2019 helps. Proof of funds, a clear program timeline, internship or job offer letters, and on-time payments on a secured card or student credit account improve odds.

Thin-file borrowers may still get loans through program-based underwriting, but expect higher rates and lower limits. Permanent residents and eligible noncitizens generally access more lenders and better terms. Check your U.S. credit file if you have one and consider obtaining tax ID support if needed; see IRS guidance on obtaining an ITIN for details.

• Visa signals: valid F-1/J-1 with I-20/DS-2019, visa expiration beyond loan term, enrollment at accredited school, program length and graduation date, on-campus or curricular practical training offers.
• Credit signals: existing U.S. credit history or thin-file status, on-time secured card payments, documented funds or bank statements, recent payroll or internship offers, ITIN/SSN presence for credit checks.

You can build a U.S. credit profile fast enough to qualify for solo loans by establishing and responsibly using tradelines, then waiting for those accounts to season.

• Get an SSN if eligible, otherwise apply for an ITIN and keep it on file with banks and lenders, see IRS ITIN information.
• Open a U.S. checking account and link it to payment methods, use it for bills and direct deposit.
• Start a secured credit card or a credit-builder loan at a credit union or fintech, choose products that report to all three bureaus.
• Keep card utilization under 10–20% and make all payments on time.
• Enable autopay to avoid missed payments.
• Let accounts season at least 6–12 months before applying for an individual private loan.

Small, smart boosts increase speed and approval odds.

• Ask a trusted relative or partner to add you as an authorized user on a long-aged, low-utilization card, only if the primary user is reliable.
• Use rent and phone reporting services when available, and avoid unnecessary hard credit pulls.
• Learn basics of credit reporting and scoring at CFPB credit building basics.

Example timeline: Month 0–1 set up SSN/ITIN and checking, Months 2–6 build on-time history with secured card or credit-builder loan, Month 6+ apply for solo loan once you show low utilization and consistent payments.

Yes - you can often qualify alone by following a focused, five-step checklist that fixes eligibility, documentation, credit strength, offers, and school timing.

1. Confirm your school and program appear on each lender's eligibility list by checking your lender's school search.
2. Assemble required documents now: passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019, official Cost of Attendance (COA), recent bank statements, and any scholarship or award letters.
3. Strengthen your profile: open a U.S. credit-builder account or secured card, get rent or utility reported, and collect proof of internship, job offer, or steady income to show repayment ability.
4. Compare loan offers strictly on APR, origination and late fees, in-school repayment options, and forbearance or deferment features using the CFPB paying for college tools.
5. Coordinate school certification and disbursement: confirm the amount the school will certify, required forms, and exact disbursement dates so funds meet tuition deadlines.

Borrow only the COA gap you need, no more.

You can often avoid private loans by using income-share agreements or institutional school loans and payment plans, both of which commonly accept students without a traditional U.S. cosigner.

Income-share agreements (ISAs) mean the school or provider pays tuition now, you repay a fixed percentage of future income for a set term, and contracts usually include a payment cap and a minimum-income threshold. Institutional loans and payment plans are school-run credit or deferred-payment options, sometimes interest-free or with emergency funds for shortfalls.

• No traditional credit score or U.S. cosigner typically required.
• Downside protection, you pay only if you earn above the threshold.
• School plans may offer 0% interest or flexible billing with on-campus support.

• Effective cost can exceed APR on traditional loans, hard to compare.
• ISA contracts are complex, with caps, term limits, and job-location clauses.
• Some ISAs restrict fields of study or have income-contingent surprises.
• Institutional loans may have limited amounts or eligibility windows.

Regulations for ISAs are evolving, so read every disclosure, check prepayment rules, and confirm caps and termination terms. For specific ISA terms see Stride Funding terms and FAQs, and always check your school's financial aid page for institutional loans, emergency funds, and 0% payment plans.

Start by hunting free money, not volume; prioritize fits that match your profile, start searching 6–12 months before applications, and avoid awards with fees. Ask financial aid offices to recalculate Cost of Attendance so scholarships shrink your loan need, then stack small awards (department + external + campus) to cover tuition and living costs.

• Fulbright Foreign Student program for graduate study offers full fellowships in many countries.
• Joint Japan/World Bank scholarships and World Bank programs fund development-focused masters degrees.
• AAUW International Fellowships for women scholars support graduate and postgraduate study.
• Rotary Peace Fellowships for graduate study cover tuition, living, and travel for peace-related programs.
• Aga Khan Foundation grants and scholarships provide needs-based awards for applicants from select countries.
• EducationUSA scholarship search and advising helps you find vetted external awards and application advice.
• General scholarship portals and university-specific listings list institutional awards, assistantships, and department funds.

Tactics: apply to both institutional and external awards, highlight funding gaps in aid appeals, prioritize renewable awards, and coordinate timing so scholarship funds reduce the loan portion before disbursement.

If your solo application leaves you underfunded, priced out, or blocked by weak credit, bring a cosigner to improve approval odds and lower cost.

A cosigner makes lenders view you like a lower-risk borrower. That often unlocks higher loan amounts, longer terms, and much lower APRs than solo rates. Cosigning is joint liability, so missed payments hit both credit reports and the cosigner can be pursued for repayment. Some lenders offer limited release after on-time payments, but that varies by lender and timing. To learn the key legal and credit risks, see the CFPB guide on cosigning risks.

Protect your cosigner and yourself by keeping the loan amount minimal, choosing autopay for on-time discounts, documenting a clear repayment plan, and checking lender release terms before signing. If you can build credit, increase income, or find school-sponsored options first, try borrowing alone; otherwise a cosigner is usually the faster, cheaper path to full cost coverage.

Good reasons to add a cosigner:

• Denied or approved for less than cost of attendance.
• Solo APR is much higher than cosigned offers.
• You have little or no U.S. credit history.
• Your school or program isn't on no-cosigner lender lists.
• You need longer repayment terms.

Protections for the cosigner:

• Right-size the loan to essentials only.
• Require autopay and split responsibilities in writing.
• Confirm lender cosigner-release policy and timeline.
• Share statements and set reminders for payments.

Yes - you can sometimes borrow as an international student without a cosigner, but options are limited, rates are higher, and approval depends on school, visa, income, and credit history.

Lenders that make no-cosigner loans usually require strong U.S. ties, documented income, or enrollment at certain universities. Specialized lenders, school-based loans, income-share agreements, and some government or home-country programs are the most realistic routes. Expect higher interest, smaller loan limits, and stricter repayment terms than if you had a U.S. cosigner.

Your visa and credit matter. F-1/M-1 students with U.S. work authorization (OPT/CPT) or steady U.S. income have better chances. Building credit with a secured card, on-time bills, or small credit-builder loans improves odds quickly. If you lack U.S. credit, student loan guarantors or lenders may require proof of future earning potential, a school endorsement, or collateral.

Practical steps:

1. Check school financial aid and international-student loan programs first.
2. Compare specialized lenders and ISAs.
3. Get an ITIN or SSN if eligible to strengthen applications.
4. Build U.S. credit before applying.
5. Consider a cosigner release plan or refinancing later to lower rate or remove a cosigner.

Do I need an SSN/ITIN?

You often do not strictly need an SSN, but lenders prefer one and some require an ITIN; apply via the IRS if you lack an SSN. How to apply for an ITIN

Can I refinance later without a cosigner?

Yes, many lenders allow refinance without a cosigner once you prove U.S. income and a solid credit history; check individual lender rules before borrowing. Refinancing as an international student

Fixed vs variable rates, what's safer?

Fixed rates give payment certainty and are usually safer for multi-year programs; variable rates can start lower but carry interest risk, so pick fixed for long terms and variable for short programs.

Will borrowing affect my visa?

Debt alone does not change your F-1/M-1 status, but academic withdrawal, leaving school, or status violations can; consult your DSO and official guidance. Maintaining student status guidance