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8 Best Small Student Loans for the 2021-2022 School Year

In the U.S., college students leave school with an average student Loan debt of $39,351 — but in some cases, you might only need to take out a small student loan to fully cover your education costs.

For example, maybe you’ve received a large amount of federal financial aid and need just a bit of extra money to cover leftover expenses.

Here’s what you should know about small student loans and where to find them:

  • 8 of the best student loans offering small loans
  • Student loan limits for the 2021-2022 school year
  • How to take out a small student loan
  • Taking out a student loan with bad credit
  • Other ways to pay for college
  • Small private student loans can help fill in funding gaps

8 of the best student loans offering small loans

If you decide to take out a small private student loan, it’s important to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for your needs.

Here are Credible’s partner lenders that offer small student loans:

LenderFixed Rates From (APR)
Variable Rates From (APR)Loan amountsLoan terms (years)


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, Loan Terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
3.20%+1.80%+$2,001 to $200,0007 to 20
  • Fixed APR: 3.20%+
  • Variable APR: 1.80%+
  • Min. credit score: 600
  • Loan amount: $2,001 to $200,000
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: 0.25% to 2.00% automatic payment discount, 1% cash back graduation reward
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum 2.9 GPA.
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 24 months
  • Loan servicer: University Account Service (UAS)


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
3.49%+11.04%+1$1,000 to $350,000 (depending on degree)5, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 3.49%+1
  • Variable APR: 1.04%+1
  • Min. credit score: 720
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $350,000
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15
  • Loan types: Any private or federal student loan
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay, loyalty
  • Eligibility: Available in all 50 states (international students can apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner)
  • Customer service: Email, phone, chat
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 36 months
  • Loan servicer: Firstmark Services


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
3.24%+2,3
1.04%+2,3$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance5, 8, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 3.24%+2,3
  • Variable APR: 1.04%+2,3
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Loan amount: $1,000 up to cost of attendance
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 8, 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 24 months
  • Loan servicer: College Ave Servicing LLC


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
4.14%+1.16%+$1,000 to $99,999 annually
($180,000 aggregate limit)
7, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 4.14%+
  • Variable APR: 1.16%+
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $99,999 annually ($180,000 aggregate limit)
  • Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, immediate repayment, interest-only repayment, flat/full repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Not available to residents of AZ, IA, or WI
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 36 months
  • Loan servicer: American Education Services
  • Min. income: Does not disclose


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
3.00%+72.19%+7$1,000 to $200,0007, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 3.00%+7
  • Variable APR: 2.19%+7
  • Min. credit score: 750
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $200,000
  • Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum income of $30,000.
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 36 months
  • Loan servicer: Granite State Management & Resources (GSM&R)


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
3.83%+81.56%+8$1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance5, 10, 15
  • Fixed APR: 3.83%+8
  • Variable APR: 1.56%+8
  • Min. credit score: 670
  • Loan amount: $1,001 up to cost of attendance
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay, reward for on-time graduation
  • Eligibility: Must be an Indiana resident or a U.S. citizen attending an eligible Indiana school
  • Customer service: Email, phone, chat
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 48 months
  • Loan servicer: American Education Services


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
3.75%+N/A$1,500 up to school’s certified cost of attendance less aid15
  • Fixed APR: 3.75%+
  • Variable APR: N/A
  • Min. credit score: 670
  • Loan amount: $1,500 up to cost of attendance less aid
  • Loan terms (years): 10, 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferral, forbearance
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Customer service: Email, phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 48 months
  • Loan servicer: American Education Services (AES)


Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
4.25%+1.13%+Up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance15
  • Fixed APR: 4.25%+
  • Variable APR: 1.13%+
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Loan amount: $1,000 up to cost of attendance
  • Loan terms (years): 10 to 15
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
  • Fees: Late fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Also available to non-U.S. citizen students (including DACA students) attending a school located in the U.S. who apply with a qualifying cosigner.
  • Customer service: Phone, chat
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Cosigner release: After 12 consecutive on-time payments
  • Loan servicer: Sallie Mae
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Trustpilot

Ascent

Minimum loan amount: $2,001

If you have fair credit, Ascent could be a good option for a small student loan: You can borrow $2,001 to $200,000 (depending on whether your credit is tested) with repayment terms from five to 20 years (depending on your loan type).

Additionally, borrowers can get a rate discount of 0.25% to 2% by signing up for autopay as well as earn a 1% cashback reward if they graduate within five years.

4.9
Credible rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Rates and terms
Fees and Discounts
Customer Experience
Ascent Private Student Loans
Fixed APR
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
3.20%+
Variable APR
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
1.80%+
Loan amount
Total amount you can borrow from this lender
$2,001 to $200,000
Loan terms (years)
How many years you have to repay the loan
5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20

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  • Fixed APR: 3.20%+
  • Variable APR: 1.80%+
  • Min. credit score: 600
  • Loan amount: $2,001 to $200,000
  • Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20
  • Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability


This post first appeared on Credible Resource Center, please read the originial post: here

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8 Best Small Student Loans for the 2021-2022 School Year

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