Yes, Sallie Mae does offer a cosigner release option, allowing borrowers to apply to remove a cosigner after meeting specific requirements, which typically include graduating, making 12 on-time principal and interest payments, demonstrating sufficient income, and passing a credit check, notes this Sallie Mae page.
Did you know that a borrower can apply to release their cosigner(s) from any open and active loan(s) after they graduate or complete their certificate program, meet certain credit requirements, and by making a lump sum payment equal to the required 12 principal and interest payments or making the required 12 on-time ...
Get a loan release
Some lenders have a release option for co-signers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A release can be obtained after a certain number of on-time payments and a credit check of the original borrower to determine whether they are now creditworthy.
How to Remove a Cosigner From a Student Loan
If a student dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled and unable to work in any capacity, their Sallie Mae student loan may be eligible to have the remaining balance waived. To discuss your situation and find out how we can help, please chat with us online or call us at 800-472-5543.
If you don't pay Sallie Mae, you'll face late fees, significant damage to your credit score, and potential escalation to collections, potentially leading to wage garnishment and lawsuits, especially for private loans where consequences can happen faster and without federal protections. For federal loans, the government can intercept tax refunds and Social Security benefits, and you lose future aid eligibility, though programs like Fresh Start exist for rehabilitation. For private loans, Sallie Mae can pursue aggressive collection, even suing you for the full amount, and your cosigner shares the full responsibility.
The "7-year rule" for student loans generally refers to when negative marks, like defaults, are removed from your credit report (around 7 years after the first missed payment or default date for federal loans, 7.5 years for private loans), but the debt itself doesn't disappear and must be paid off; it's also a benchmark in bankruptcy proceedings where federal loans can become dischargeable after 7 years from when payments were due, though proving "undue hardship" is required and difficult.
In certain cases, like some student loans, there may be a provision that allows a co-signer to take their name off a loan. However, most common types of loans (including auto loans, mortgages and personal loans) do not include such a provision.
To qualify for a co-signer release, the borrower must submit a request, meet the consecutive, timely payment requirements, provide proof of income, and pass a credit check.
Refinance/Consolidation
Borrowers will need to have a good credit history, stable employment, and enough income to cover the monthly payments on their own in order to refinance or consolidate their loans. Basically, this allows borrowers to pay off their previous debt and releases cosigners from any further obligation.
Yes, you can remove someone from a mortgage without refinancing but it's not typical. Options include loan assumption, court-ordered removal, or lender release. Even if removed from the title, a person may still owe the mortgage unless formally released.
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.
When can a cosigner be sued? A cosigner can be pulled into a car-accident lawsuit in California only when facts tie them to ownership, control, or their own negligence, not merely because they guaranteed the loan.
If you cosign a debt and the borrower doesn't pay, in most every case you will be responsible for the entire debt. And, the lender does not have to try to collect from the borrower. It can look to you even if it might be possible for it to collect from the borrower.
Note: If the cosigner dies, Sallie Mae® removes the cosigner from the loan and continues to service the loan. If you are unable to repay your student loan due to financial difficulties, refinancing options may be available to you.
Your lender may require proof of income (such as pay stubs or bank statements) and a credit check before approving your cosigner release. Typically, you must wait 12 to 24 months before releasing a cosigner so that you can show a solid repayment history.
Not all private lenders offer cosigner release applications. You may be able to qualify for a student loan refinance by yourself, without the aid of a cosigner, if you meet credit requirements and want to release your cosigner from responsibility.
Removing yourself as a cosigner on a loan can be tough and requires the primary borrower's cooperation. Some loans have a cosigner release provision. The primary borrower could also refinance the loan or pay off the entire debt to remove your cosigner obligation.
However, there is a downside to consider. Being removed as a cosigner from a loan could potentially hurt your credit scores.
5 Immediate Steps to Stop Sallie Mae Calls
Yes, student loan forgiveness continued in 2025 through existing programs like PSLF and Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans, but major changes occurred, with the SAVE plan facing a proposed end (pending court approval) and tax-free forgiveness ending December 31, 2025, meaning new discharges after that date could be taxable, creating uncertainty and urging borrowers to check their status on StudentAid.gov.