Can You Get Student Loans Without a High School Diploma or GED?

Getting student loans when you haven’t earned a high school diploma or completed a GED is possible. How to qualify depends on whether you apply for federal or private student loans. 

Federal loans generally require a diploma or GED to demonstrate college readiness. Private lenders may need to see that you’ve completed high school to qualify. Knowing your options is important if you hope to get student loans without a high school diploma.

Can you get federal student loans without a high school diploma or GED?

Yes, you can. Through the “Ability to benefit” (ATB) criteria, students in an eligible career pathway program (ECPP) have three ways to qualify for federal student loans without a high school diploma or GED.

ATB option	Details
Pass the approved ATB test	Pass U.S. Department of Education (DoE)-approved ATB test
Credits or hours	Completes at least 6 credit hours or 225 clock hours toward a degree or certificate
State-approved process	Complete a state process approved by the Secretary of Education

An ECPP is a DoE-approved institution that provides postsecondary education and services to help students develop skills that can advance their education and careers.

The Department of Education grants federal student loans to eligible borrowers. Due to their fixed interest rates and flexible repayment options, these loans can be an attractive way to cover college costs. 

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student loans. 

The Department of Education outlines basic eligibility requirements borrowers need to meet:

• Have a demonstrated financial need (for need-based federal student aid)
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security number (unless an exception applies)
• Be enrolled or accepted in an eligible degree or certificate program
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half-time
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college
• Not be in default on any federal student loans
• Show you’re qualified to obtain a college degree or career school education

You can learn more about student loan eligibility in our federal and state student loan guide.

How to show you’re qualified for federal student loans

You have three options to demonstrate that you qualify for federal student loans:

1. Provide proof of a high school diploma or state-recognized equivalent (GED).
2. Complete a high school education in a state-approved homeschool setting.
3. Enroll in an eligible career pathway program and meet one of two ATB alternatives.

You might meet the ATB standard if you enrolled in college before July 1, 2012, or are enrolled in an eligible career pathway program. 

Eligible career pathway programs include:

• Medical assisting
• Veterinary assisting
• Automotive technology
• Welding technology

Not sure which to choose? Contact your school’s financial aid office and testing center to discuss options and schedule your ATB test if you decide to take it. 

Note that you aren’t eligible for federal financial aid until you’ve satisfied one of the three ATB requirements. As you choose which ATB pathway to pursue, consider how long each one will take to complete and how much it will cost.

Can you get private student loans without a high school diploma or GED?

Yes, you can get private student loans without a high school diploma or GED from certain lenders, including those listed below. 

Here’s how eligibility requirements compare at seven top private student loan lenders:

Lender	Eligible without diploma/GED?	Other reqs
Ascent	✅	2 years of credit history, $24,000 annual income
Citizens Bank	✅	Must attend 4-year school
College Ave	✅	Credit score in the mid-600s
Credible	✅	May need cosigner
Earnest	✅	Min. 650 credit score, $35,000 annual income
Sallie Mae	✅	Likely need cosigner
SoFi	✅	Must attend 4-year school

Individual lenders—rather than the federal government—offer private student loans. You can get private student loans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Each lender decides its eligibility requirements and whether you need a high school diploma or GED to qualify.

Other criteria lenders may consider include:

• Enrollment status (half-time, full-time, or part-time)
• Which school you’re attending
• Your choice of degree program
• Credit scores and credit history
• Income and debt
• Career plans
• Citizenship status

If you’re considering private student loans, shopping around to compare loan terms, rates, fees, and qualification criteria is essential. 

Remember: With private lenders, your credit history tends to carry more weight than any other factor. If you have a limited credit history or are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may need to apply for loans with a cosigner. 

Getting student loans with a cosigner could help your chances of approval and result in lower interest rates. However, it’s important to remember that you and the cosigner are equally responsible for the debt in the lender’s eyes. 

Some private student loan lenders offer cosigner release if you meet certain repayment and credit requirements. Before you apply, check with each lender to see whether cosigner release is available.

Read More

Best Private Student Loans 

Next steps to get student loans without a high school diploma or GED

If you don’t have a high school diploma or GED and think you’ll need student loans to pay for college, consider taking the following steps to increase your chances of getting approved.

1. Contact your school of choice

Contact the financial aid and admissions offices first to determine your options. The school can inform you how to qualify for loans before you plan to enroll—by taking a state-approved test, for example. It may also offer grants, scholarships, or other programs to help cut costs.

2. Research nontraditional schools 

If you’re not enrolled anywhere, you may need to apply to a college that’s likely to accept you without a diploma or GED, such as the University of California, the American Public University System, or Southern Technical College. These schools may be much cheaper to attend. 

3. Decide on the loan you’d like

The next step is evaluating which type of loans you want to apply for. Federal loans are an excellent place to start because they offer fixed interest rates and include built-in protections you don’t get with private student loans, such as potential loan forgiveness. 

You could qualify for federal loans by:

• Earning a diploma or GED
• Obtaining a high school equivalency certification from your home school, if applicable
• Exploring the ability-to-benefit path

4. Consider taking the GED

If you can invest the time and money, a GED or other state-equivalent test might be the easiest solution. If you pass, you now have more opportunities, including a wider list of schools and scholarships you can apply to.

Cost of a GED

The test costs from $4 to $50 per subject, with four subjects total (math, language arts, social studies, and science). The cost depends on your state and whether you opt to take the test at a testing center in person or online from home. 

Arkansas is among the most affordable states for in-person testing, at just $4 per subject. And in Alaska, Connecticut, Kentucky, Nebraska, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia, you can take the GED for free.

Tip

You aren’t required to be a West Virginia resident to take the GED there. If you live in a neighboring state, compare GED pricing and research travel costs. You might save money by taking the GED one state over.

Your employer might also offer free GED preparation and testing through GEDWorks. You can create an account at GED.com to determine whether your employer participates. 

If you’re paying for test prep, a course or practice test might cost anywhere from $5 to $300, and study guides can run from $15 to $130. When you’re ready to take your GED, schedule your test online.

How long does it take to get a GED?

Each subject test should take around two hours. You don’t need to take all four subject tests at once, but if you do, the test should take seven to eight hours. 

How much study time you dedicate can depend on your schedule and how well you think you know the subject areas. It’s not uncommon for students to spend two to three months preparing.

FAQ

Can you fill out the FAFSA without a GED?

Yes, you can fill out the FAFSA without a GED. To be eligible for federal student aid, you must have a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as a GED, or meet alternative criteria. If you don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you can still qualify for federal student aid by completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law. 

If you were enrolled in college or a career school before July 1, 2012, you can qualify by passing an approved ATB test or completing six credit hours or equivalent coursework toward a degree or certificate.

Can you get financial aid for non-degree-seeking college study?

Federal financial aid is generally unavailable for students not enrolled in a degree or certificate program. To qualify for federal financial aid, you must enroll in an eligible program at a participating institution and work toward a degree or certificate. 

However, there are some exceptions. For instance, you might be eligible for financial aid if you are taking prerequisite courses required for admission to a degree program or if you are enrolled in a teacher certification program.

What disqualifies you from the FAFSA?

You can be disqualified from getting federal financial aid through the FAFSA for several reasons. These include defaulting on a federal student loan, which makes you ineligible until the default is resolved, and certain drug convictions, though eligibility may be regained through an approved rehabilitation program. 

Noncitizen status, incarceration, and failure to register with the Selective Service (for men between 18 and 25) can also affect your eligibility. Failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school can disqualify you from aid. Understanding these factors is crucial to maintaining your eligibility for federal financial assistance.