Federal student loans are cheaper, more available and have better repayment terms than private student loans. For example, they have three-year deferments and forbearances, while forbearances are limited to just one year on private student loans. They have income-driven repayment plans.
You don't need a credit check or a cosigner to get most federal student loans. You don't have to begin repaying your federal student loans until after you leave college or drop below half-time.
One approach is to start with paying down your private student loans. Private loans aren't eligible for forgiveness through the government. If you have private and federal loans, your federal loans may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness depending on your occupation and other factors.
Private lenders typically check a borrower's financial standing to help them analyze the risk they take by lending money. They'll run a credit check to see how you've handled debt in the past. It can be tough to qualify independently without a credit history or a limited one.
To qualify for a personal loan, you generally need a minimum credit score of at least 580 — though certain lenders have even lower requirements than that. However, your chances of getting a low interest personal loan rate are much higher if you have good to excellent credit, typically a score of 740 and above.
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
Bottom line. While your credit score will not be a factor when applying for most federal student loans, private lenders consider credit history as part of the application process.
Independent undergraduates and dependent students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans: $57,500 (including up to $23,000 subsidized). Graduate and professional students: $138,500 (or $224,000 for certain medical training) including undergraduate borrowing (including up to $65,500 subsidized).
Credit scores of 580 or under are considered "poor." A low credit score can significantly limit your chances of getting approved for a $5,000 loan. Most lenders require a minimum score around 670, which is considered a "fair" score.
If you apply for a private student loan on your own and are denied, it may be because you have insufficient personal credit history, which is common for full-time college students. Many students in this position will find a qualified co-signer to apply with them.
Despite these benefits, these loans have a few disadvantages, including a lack of subsidized options for graduate students, difficulty qualifying for bankruptcy, and funding limitations.
The interest rate on a federal student loan is fixed and is typically lower than private loan rates. No credit check or cosigner is required to qualify for most federal student loans. Repayment doesn't begin until after you've left college or dropped below half-time enrollment.
Undergraduate Loan Interest Rates
4.83% is the interest rate for undergraduates in an average† year. Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, undergraduate federal student loan interest rates rose 18.73%. Interest rates increased 1.48 percentage points from 2023-24 to 2024-25 (from 5.05% to 6.53%).
Most private lenders require you to have a credit score of at least 670 or higher on a 300-850 scale used by FICO, the most widely known credit score. If you don't have a credit history, you'll need a co-signer with a good credit score and a steady income in order to qualify for the loan.
A 600 credit score is considered “fair.” A VantageScore between 601-660 or a FICO score between 580-669 Is considered within the “fair” range. This means you could have some limitations around what lines of credit you are able to access.
As with most other loans, your credit score will likely play a major role in your ability to access a private student loan. You'll typically need a 620 or higher credit score to qualify for a private student loan, though there may be options for borrowers with bad credit.
In general, federal loans have stronger borrower protections and lower interest rates than private student loans (regardless of what your federal loan may be called). Because of these benefits, you should focus your efforts on paying off your private loans first.
A subsidized loan is your best option. With these loans, the federal government pays the interest charges for you while you're in college. Here are the types of student loans. (Keep in mind that not all students are eligible for every loan.)
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Key takeaways
Most people borrow money to consolidate debt. Bills, home improvement projects and major expenses are other popular reasons to get a loan. You should only get a loan for necessary expenses and when you can afford the monthly payments.