International student loans: A guide to financing your education abroad
Study abroad and make your dreams a reality! International students like you can find a student loan in just 10 seconds using our easy-to-use loan finder tool. Get started today and find the loan that best meets your needs. With our help, you can finance your education abroad and achieve your academic goals.
3 steps to find your student loan
Find student loans.
To compare loans, the first step is to use our comparison tool above. Select the college you will be attending and the amount of money you need to borrow. You can then see the loans that meet your criteria.
Select your student loan.
Next: See what lenders are available at your school, compare the terms and conditions, and click apply to start the online application.
Fill out your application.
Complete the loan application for the lender. If you’re a non-US citizen or non-US permanent resident, in most cases you’ll need to have a cosigner complete the online application, as well. However, no cosigner loans are available to international students at select colleges and universities. US students are also encouraged to have a cosigner.
International student loan approval
After you submit your loan application, next comes the approval process. The lender will review your application and initial approval is often within days or weeks of your completed application. Funds from your loan will be disbursed by your school once it has been approved.
Examining your student loan
When you’re comparing private student loans, it’s important to carefully review your lender and loan details to ensure you’re choosing the loan that works best for your needs. A few items you should evaluate and compare include:
Service
Pros?
Cons?
Skype
Subscription options to many countries. Large user-base.
Rates have gone up recently. Privacy concerns In-app Advertisements
Google Hangouts / Voice
Free calls to US and Canadian landlines AND mobile numbers for those in US and Canada.
Confusing interface between Hangouts and Voice. Restricted almost entirely to US customers. Must use Chrome browser.
Cosigners
A cosigner is someone who joins an international student on their loan application. The cosigner becomes equally responsible for the loan and making payments if the primary borrow is unable. Most non-US citizens and permanent residents will be required to have a cosigner with good credit who has lived in the US for the past two years. If a cosigner is required international students will need to include them on their application.
US citizens and permanent residents are not required to have a cosigner for their loan application, however, a US cosigner can:
- Increase the likelihood of getting approved for their student loan
- Reduce the interest rate students are required to pay
If you don’t have a cosigner, keep in mind that loans that don’t require a cosigner are available to international students attending select colleges and universities. Use the search tool above to see if there’s a loan available to you that doesn’t require a cosigner.
Types of student loans
There are many student loans designed for students studying outside their home country. Our US student loans are available for non-US students coming to the US as well as US students studying in a foreign country. For more information about the particular student loan products, please see below:
Student loans for international students
The International Student Loan Program is available to international students from around the world who are looking to study in the USA. You have to be attending one of the approved schools and you must also have a US citizen or US permanent resident to cosign the loan with you. International Student Loan offers funding that is disbursed directly to you with competitive interest rates and no application fees!
Student loans for study abroad
A Study Abroad Loan provides funding to US citizens who are looking to participate in a study abroad program outside of the USA. To be eligible, students need to be attending and earning credit at an approved school in the USA. Your US school will disburse the funds directly to you prior to departing for your host country.
Student loan for Canadian citizens
For Canadian students studying or planning to study in the USA, we offer the Canadian Student Loan. Although students applying for the Canadian Student Loan will require a US citizen or permanent resident cosigner in most cases, there are no cosigner loans available to students attending select schools. Student loan applications can be done right online and your US school will disburse funds upon arrival and the start of your semester.
Student loans for U.S. citizens foreign enrolled
The Foreign Enrolled Loan program provides US citizens with funding for their education when they plan to enroll directly in a degree program abroad. This is a private, alternative loan that offers high loan limits to cover the cost of school abroad, so borrowers can apply for up to the total cost of attendance minus any other aid received.
