How do you get out of a cosigned student loan?

Asked by: Thelma Lakin  |  Last update: February 19, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (20 votes)

A student loan cosigner release means that the borrower becomes solely responsible for repaying their own loans by themselves. In order to qualify for a student loan cosigner release, the original borrower must be able to demonstrate that they can pay off all remaining balances on their own.

How do I get my name off a cosigned student loan?

If your payment history is solid, you can start the application process. You should be able to find a release application on the website of your lender or loan servicer. Offer proof of graduation or completion of a certificate program. A co-signer release normally can't be done if the borrower remains in school.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

lenders do not remove co signers from loans. The debt has to be retired. This can be done by paying it off directly or refinancing the loan.

What happens if you cosign a student loan and the other person doesn't pay?

Any late or missed payments are reflected on both your credit report and the student's. If the student defaults on the loan, private lenders will often hire collection agencies to get you to repay, and they may also sue you in court.

How do I protect myself as a cosigner?

5 ways to protect yourself as a co-signer
  1. Serve as a co-signer only for close friends or relatives. One of loan co-signing's biggest risks is potential damage to your credit score. ...
  2. Keep copies of all the loan documents. ...
  3. Create a contract. ...
  4. Track monthly payments. ...
  5. Ensure you can afford payments.

I Cosigned on a student loan. Can I get out of it?

22 related questions found

How long is a co-signer responsible for a student loan?

The responsibility can last as long as the loan term

In addition, if your student doesn't graduate, earn as much as anticipated after graduating or obtain their expected job, the debt doesn't go away.

Can I remove myself as a cosigner?

Fortunately, you can have your name removed, but you will have to take the appropriate steps depending on the cosigned loan type. Basically, you have two options: You can enable the main borrower to assume total control of the debt or you can get rid of the debt entirely.

Can you get out of a cosigned student loan?

If you've had a good payment history and/or have improved your credit score since taking out the loan, then it's possible that the lender will agree to remove your cosigner from their responsibility.

What if a cosigner refuses to pay?

If they stop making payments, the responsibility will be passed on to you—and you could be sued if you don't follow through. Your credit could also suffer. Understanding what you're getting into can help you decide if being a cosigner is worth the risk.

Does removing yourself as a cosigner hurt your credit?

However, there is a downside to consider. Being removed as a cosigner from a loan could potentially hurt your credit scores. How much your scores are impacted depends on the details of your credit profile.

What happens if you don't pay back a cosigned loan?

If the borrower does not repay the loan, you may be forced to repay the whole amount of the loan, plus interest and any late fees that have accrued. With most cosigned loans, the lender is not required to pursue the main borrower first, but can request payment from the cosigner any time there is a missed payment.

How do I get a cosigner release form?

To get a co-signer release you will first need to contact your lender. After contacting them, you can request the release — if the lender offers it. This is just paperwork that removes the co-signer from the loan and places you, the primary borrower, as the sole borrower on the loan.

Can you kick a cosigner out?

Removing your cosigner leaves just you to cover any late or missed monthly payments, so some lenders might make it difficult to remove the second person. Before you can remove a cosigner, you may have to prove that your finances and/or credit score have improved since getting the loan.

Do cosigned student loans show up on credit report?

The cosigner is responsible for the full amount of the loan, so the debt will appear on both the cosigner's and the student's credit reports.

How to remove cosigner from student loan nelnet?

With U-fi From Nelnet, after you make 24 consecutive on-time payments, your cosigner can be released from your loan. If you think you need a cosigner, you aren't alone.

Can you remove someone from a student loan?

Releasing your co-signer means they are no longer responsible for the repayment of your loans. Some private loans allow you to remove the co-signer from your student loan after you've made a certain number of on-time payments.

Can you back out of a cosigned loan?

Request release from a co-signed loan

Co-signers can make a written request to the lender to be released from a loan.

Can you sue someone for defaulting on a loan you cosigned?

But most states allow cosigners to take primary borrowers to court in the following situations: Cross claims: If you default on or fail to repay the loan, the lender could sue the cosigner for the money owed. The cosigner may then be able to sue you for the money that the lender is trying to recover.

Can a cosigner go to jail?

However, in certain legal circumstances, the cosigner may face jail time. For example, in a case where the co-signer helped to facilitate the defendant's flight, provided false contact information, or in any way assisted the defendant in evading prosecution.

What are the rights of a cosigner on a student loan?

Because you bear equal responsibility for the student loan you co-signed, you can face consequences if the loan goes into default after several missed payments. The default will go on your credit report as well as the primary borrower's, and the lender can sue both you and the primary borrower to collect on the debt.

How do I remove myself from a cosigned loan?

  1. Transfer the balance to a 0% card.
  2. Get a loan release.
  3. Consolidate or refinance the debt.
  4. Remove your name from a credit card account.
  5. Sell the financed asset.
  6. Pay off the balance.
  7. Co-signing isn't forever.

How to remove cosigner from navient student loan?

To release a cosigner from Navient student loans, you first must certain requirements. For example, you must graduate or complete your course of study. You also must make 12 consecutive, on-time private student loan payments.

How to get out of a cosigned student loan?

Refinance or Consolidate

Another way to be removed as a co-signer, especially on an unsecured debt like a personal or student loan, is when the primary borrower refinances. Refinancing means the borrower opens a new loan that pays off and replaces the original one.

Can I remove myself as a guarantor?

If you are a guarantor and no longer wish to be, you must obtain the consent or agreement from the landlord before you will be released from your liabilities, which, if the rent is in arrears, the landlord is unlikely to agree to.

Does a cosigner release affect credit score?

It can affect your credit scores.

Because a co-signed loan is recorded on your credit reports, any late or missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit scores. If the borrower defaults on the loan and ceases payment, the debt may be referred to a collection agency.