Can my daughter get a student loan on her own?

Asked by: Mrs. Grace Daugherty  |  Last update: May 14, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (7 votes)

You can get student loans without parents if you're classified as an independent student or, in some cases, a dependent student.

Can a student get student loans on their own?

For a private student loan, lenders have income and credit qualifications that must be met either by the applicant on their own, or with a co-signer. If parents are unable or unwilling to co-sign, you will need to show stable income as well as an established credit history to qualify on your own.

Can my daughter take out her own student loans?

While your son or daughter can borrow funds on their own, you may be considering helping out, too. Co-signing your child's loan or taking out a parent loan helps make college more affordable for your child.

Can my daughter get a student loan without a cosigner?

A Federal Direct student loan does not require a co-signer or have any credit requirements. The only issue is the limit - $5500 for Freshman. That may not be enough.

Can I get a student loan for my daughter?

ELIGIBLE PARENTS

You qualify as a parent for purposes of receiving a Direct PLUS loan on behalf of a dependent undergraduate student only if you are: A biological parent of the student; A legal adoptive parent of the student; or.

Help! My Child Won’t Pay Their Student Loans

45 related questions found

Can kids get student loans without parents?

College students can get student loans in several ways without a parent or cosigner. These include federal student loans, increasing federal student loan limits by qualifying as an independent student, getting a private student loan with someone other than the parent as a cosigner, and tuition installment plans.

Can I claim my daughter's student loans on my taxes?

You can take a tax deduction for the interest paid on student loans that you took out for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. This benefit applies to all loans (not just federal student loans) used to pay for higher education expenses. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year.

How can I pay for college without my parents helping?

The Federal Student Aid program should be the first option when considering how to pay for college while missing parental support. Federal student loans are more advantageous for students because they come with lower interest rates and flexible repayment terms, including options for student loan forgiveness programs.

Do both parents have to cosign for student loans?

No. Your parents aren't legally required to cosign your loan. And they may choose not to for multiple reasons. They may not have good credit.

Will Sallie Mae approve me without a cosigner?

Sallie Mae does not require a cosigner if you meet certain criteria to qualify on your own: Student loan borrowers must be 18 years old at the time of application and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the country. Student loan borrowers must be enrolled at least part time in a college or university.

Do student loans go off parents income?

If you're a dependent student, your parents' income is factored into the financial resources you have at your disposal to pay for school. If you're an independent student, your parents' income isn't considered, but your spouse's income might be if you're married.

How do I get my student loans out of my parents name?

If you want to know how to transfer a parent PLUS loan to a student, the answer is simple: Your student can take on the loan by refinancing it in their own name. As long as the student can qualify to refinance on their own, they can assume full responsibility for the debt.

Can an 18 year old get their own student loans?

Age and citizenship: You typically need to be at least 18 years old—or the age of majority in your state—to apply for private student loans. Additionally, many lenders require that you be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.

How to pay for college when you can't afford it?

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  1. Apply for scholarships.
  2. Request an aid adjustment.
  3. Explore additional needs-based programs.
  4. Find part-time work.
  5. Ask about tuition payment plans.
  6. Request additional federal student loans.
  7. Research private or alternative loans.

What is the maximum student loan amount?

$57,500 for undergraduates-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $138,500 for graduate or professional students-No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

Is it better to take out student loans or pay cash?

Many financial “experts” say you should always pay with cash when possible. They apply this rule to all debts, including credit cards, auto loans, home loans, and yes, student loans.

Can students get student loans without parents?

To get a student loan without your parents, you'll need to show that you're an independent student or you have a special circumstance. Private student loans don't require parental involvement, but you may need a cosigner to get one.

How to qualify as an independent on FAFSA?

For the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, an independent student is one of the following:
  1. born before Jan. 1, 2002.
  2. married (and not separated)
  3. a graduate or professional student.
  4. a veteran.
  5. a member of the U.S. armed forces.
  6. an orphan.
  7. a ward of the court.
  8. a current or former foster youth.

What credit score does a parent need to cosign a student loan?

Since a cosigner shares responsibility for the loan, they need to show that they can manage the loan. This includes having good to excellent credit — usually a credit score of at least 670 or higher — as well as reliable income and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

What are 3 ways you pay for college if you do not have any money?

8 Ways to Pay for College
  • Fill out the FAFSA. ...
  • Apply for grants. ...
  • Apply for scholarships. ...
  • Enroll in the Federal Work-Study program. ...
  • Work a part-time job. ...
  • Get tuition assistance from an employer.

How do kids pay for college on their own?

Along with applying for scholarships, you'll want to make sure you apply for grants and federal work study programs to help you cover college costs like tuition, room and board, and books and supplies. And to do that, you'll need to complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid, or FAFSA®.

Is a parent responsible for student loans?

Key Takeaways. Parents are not obligated to repay their child's federal student loans, even though their information is required for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Parents may be held responsible for student loan debt if they co-signed a private loan or took out a parent PLUS loan.

How to get the full $2500 American Opportunity credit?

To claim the American opportunity credit complete Form 8863 and submit it with your Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Enter the nonrefundable part of the credit on Schedule 3 (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), line 3. Enter the refundable part of the credit on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 29.

What is the income limit for student loan deduction?

To claim the Student Loan Interest Deduction, your MAGI must be $90,000 or less for single filers and $185,000 or less for joint filers in 2023. The deduction phases out for single filers with MAGIs of $75,000 to $90,000 and joint filers with MAGIs of $155,000 to $185,000.

How do I pay off my daughter's student loans?

How to Pay Off Student Loans Faster as a Parent
  1. Refinancing student loans could help you pay them off faster.
  2. Get an extra payment in each year by making bi-weekly payments instead of one per month.
  3. Use money windfalls like tax refunds and raises to help pay more than the minimum each month.