7 of the Best Student Loans for Summer Classes in 2025 [Federal + Private Summer Loan Options]

If you’re planning to take classes this summer, you likely need fast, flexible funding that can cover short-term academic costs without complicating your fall or spring financial aid. The best student loans for summer classes are those that offer quick approvals, flexible repayment options, and the ability to borrow up to 100% of your school-certified costs—including tuition, textbooks, and living expenses.

In this guide, we compare federal and private student loans based on interest rates, funding timelines, and borrower-friendly features to help you find the right option for your summer schedule and financial situation.

Keep reading for the best student loans for summer classes.

Loan or lender	Our rating	Rates
Direct Subsidized	Not rated	5.50%
Direct Unsubsidized	Not rated	5.50%
PLUS Loans	Not rated	8.05%
College Ave	5.0/5	4.07% – 16.69% APR
Sallie Mae	4.8/5	4.50% – 16.70% APR
Earnest	4.7/5	4.36% – 16.15% APR
ELFI	4.5/5	4.98% – 12.79% APR

Table of Contents

1. Federal student loans for summer classes
   1. Direct Subsidized Loan
   2. Direct Unsubsidized Loan
   3. Parent PLUS Loans for summer classes
2. Private summer student loans
   1. College Ave
   2. Sallie Mae
   3. Earnest
   4. ELFI
3. Can student loans be used for all summer classes?
4. How to apply
5. How to repay
6. Recap

Federal student loans for summer classes

Federal student loans can be used to pay for summer classes as long as you’re enrolled at least half-time at an accredited institution. These loans are available through the FAFSA, which applies to the full academic year—including summer, depending on how your school structures its calendar.

To get started, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While the federal deadline is June 30, your school may have an earlier deadline for summer aid, so check with your financial aid office. Most schools apply leftover aid from the fall and spring semesters to summer classes, but some may offer additional summer-specific funding.

Direct Subsidized Loan

Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you’re in school at least half-time, during the grace period, and during any deferment periods. These are the most affordable federal loan option, but borrowing limits may apply.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Unsubsidized loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students regardless of financial need. Unlike subsidized loans, interest accrues while you’re in school. These loans have higher annual limits than subsidized loans and are often used to supplement aid.

Parent PLUS Loans for summer classes

Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans parents can take out on behalf of their undergraduate children. They require a credit check and have a higher interest rate than subsidized or unsubsidized loans, but they can cover the full cost of attendance, including summer tuition and related expenses.

Private loans for summer classes

If federal loans don’t fully cover your summer costs, private student loans can help bridge the gap. Because private lenders make lending decisions based on credit and income, you’ll likely need to add a creditworthy cosigner to any application you submit for a private student loan.

Here are four of the best private student loans for summer classes.

College Ave

Best Overall

5.0 _/5

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Why we picked it

College Ave offers student loans for undergraduates, graduates, and parents who want to cover the educational costs of summer school.

There are no application or origination fees to apply, and a decision can be received in just three minutes with an online application. Term lengths range from five to 15 years, and College Ave lets you choose your term, repayment plan, and a fixed or variable interest rate.

• Choose your repayment terms
• Covers up to 100% of your certified costs
• Only takes 3 minutes to apply and receive a credit decision

Loan Details

Rates (APR)	5.59% – 16.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 8, 10, or 15 years
Repayment plans	Full, interest-only, $25 flat, or deferred
Enrollment	No restrictions
States	50 states
Credit score	Mid-600s and above
Annual income	$35,000

Sallie Mae

Best for Cosigners

4.8 _/5

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Why we picked it

Sallie Mae is one of the oldest and largest student loan lenders. It offers private student loans for undergraduates, graduates, parents, professional certification courses, and study abroad programs.

Terms range from five to 15 years, and borrowers can make fixed monthly or interest-only payments while in school or defer repayment until after graduation. Choosing to make interest-only payments while in school can lower your interest rate.

• Cosigners can be released in as little as 12 months with on-time payments
• Cover up to 100% of your certified costs

Loan Details

Rates (APR)	5.59% – 16.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Repayment plans	Interest-only, $25 flat, or deferred
Enrollment	No restrictions
States	50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico
Credit score	Mid-600s and above
Annual income	Not disclosed

Earnest

Best for Large Loans

4.7 _/5

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Why we picked it

Earnest offers summer student loans to undergrads, graduate students, and parents.

Students can prequalify online in just two minutes without affecting their credit score. There are no fees, including origination and late payment fees, and borrowers can skip one payment per year without penalties.

• No fees
• Skip one payment per year without penalty
• Check your rate without affecting your credit

Loan Details

Rates (APR)	5.59% – 16.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years
Repayment plans	Full, interest-only, $25 flat, or deferred
Enrollment	At least half-time
States	49 states and D.C. (Nevada excluded)
Credit score	650+
Annual income	$35,000

ELFI

Best Student Loan Advisors

4.5 _/5

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Why we picked it

ELFI student loans come with personalized customer service through a dedicated student loan advisor. This advisor can help you through the application process and offer support as new expenses arise during your summer classes.

• Assigned a student loan advisor
• Over 2,100 borrowers have rated ELFI as “Excellent” on Trustpilot

Loan Details

Rates (APR)	5.59% – 16.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 7, 10, or 15 years
Repayment plans	Full, interest-only, $25 flat, or deferred
Enrollment	At least half-time
States	50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico
Credit score	680+
Annual income	$35,000

Can student loans be used for all summer classes?

Students attending most accredited colleges and universities are eligible for student loans for summer classes so long as the courses contribute toward their degree or academic progress.

The Department of Education and private lenders each have their own list of accepted schools that qualify for financial aid. Both include school search forms in their online applications so students can know before submitting an application whether their school is eligible with that lender.

How to apply for summer student loans

In our student loan guide, you can learn about the steps you must take to apply in more detail, but first, decide when to apply. Federal student loans have no “summer” option, so you’ll need to have funding in place during the regular school year. 

Your school’s financial aid office can instruct you on which school year to complete the FAFSA for. Some schools may consider the summer 2025 semester a part of the 2024 – 2025 school year, and others may consider it a part of the 2025 – 2026 academic year.

Once you understand which school year the summer classes you’ll be taking fall under, you’re ready to apply for a student loan.

How to apply for federal summer student loans

1. Complete the FAFSA. It may take at least 30 minutes to complete, and you might need to include information such as your Social Security number, tax returns, and marital status.
2. Wait for your financial aid award letter. Each school you apply to and are admitted to will send you a letter detailing the aid it will offer you, including grants. Reviewing each letter may take 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Accept your aid. When you decide which school you’ll attend, it’s important first to accept financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. So you’ll want to accept any grants or scholarships first before you accept a loan. Funds are typically disbursed to your school at the beginning of the semester, but the timing may vary depending on the program. Contact your financial aid office for more details.

How to apply for private summer student loans

If you plan to borrow private student loans to pay for summer classes, you can add those costs at the beginning of the fall or spring semesters or apply for a new loan right before the summer session begins. Be sure to check with lenders to see whether specific summer loan requirements or timelines apply.

1. Shop around for a lender. Compare each lender’s terms, rates, and eligibility requirements, and choose the best one for your financial situation. Comparing lenders should take you about 30 minutes.
2. Gather the paperwork you’ll need. You’ll most likely need to provide information such as your Social Security number, tax returns and pay stubs, and details about the school you’ll attend. Depending on where you’ve stored some of these documents, this might take you 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Apply online. You can apply for most private student loans online in 10 minutes or less and find out whether you’re approved immediately. 
4. Accept your loan funds. You can accept your loan and confirm with your lender whether it will distribute the funds to your school or to you, and when you can expect your financial aid. Typically, once your program certifies your enrollment—which may not be until 30 days before the semester begins—the funds are disbursed.

How to repay student loans for summer classes

You can repay summer student loans the same as fall and spring student loans. If you choose to defer your repayment until after graduation, you won’t need to repay your loan principal or interest until after a grace period—often six to nine months after graduation, you leave school, or you are enrolled less than half-time. 

At this point, you’ll get repayment information from your lender or loan servicer, including your first payment due date. If you have federal loans, you may be able to choose a repayment plan based on your income.

If you opt for private summer student loans, you might have a choice of full deferment or a partial repayment option while you’re still in school. In that case, you could choose to make interest-only payments while enrolled or even pay a flat monthly payment (such as $25) until you graduate.

Recap of student loans for summer classes

Loan or lender	Our rating	Rates
Direct Subsidized	Not rated	5.50%
Direct Unsubsidized	Not rated	5.50%
PLUS Loans	Not rated	8.05%
College Ave	5.0/5	4.07% – 16.69% APR
Sallie Mae	4.8/5	4.50% – 16.70% APR
Earnest	4.7/5	4.36% – 16.15% APR
ELFI	4.5/5	4.98% – 12.79% APR