If you’re considering attending culinary school, you may need to finance all or part of your culinary education with student loans. Earning an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in culinary arts might range from $40,000 to $60,000, or more, depending on the school, program, and location. Culinary school tuition for a certificate can cost $20,000 or more.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 median annual salary for chefs and head cooks was $58,920. If you want to create foods that bring joy to restaurant patrons, federal and private student loan options can help finance your culinary career.
Can you get federal student loans for culinary school?
When planning to pay for culinary school, make sure you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to check your eligibility for federal student loans.
Federal student loans offer benefits you may not have access to with private loans, such as:
- Income-driven repayment plans
- Student loan forgiveness programs
- Few or no credit requirements
- Automatic discharge if the borrower dies or becomes disabled
- Fixed interest rates
- Forbearance and deferment options
No federal student loans are specific to culinary school. However, if you attend a school that participates in the federal student loans program, you may qualify for a student loan to pay for tuition and other school costs. Depending on the loan type, independent student loans don’t typically require a good credit history, minimum income, or a cosigner.
You’ll begin repaying federal student loans after your six-month grace period once you graduate or leave school. So it’s important not to take out more loans than you need.
You’ll find details of the types of student loans available in the table below.
| Loan | Rates | Fees | Loan limits |
| Direct Subsidized | 6.53% – 8.08% | 1.057% | $23,000 total (undergrad); $65,500 (grad) |
| Direct Unsubsidized | 6.53% – 8.08% | 1.057% | $57,500 total (undergrad);$138,000 (grad) |
| Parent Direct PLUS | 9.08% | 4.228% | Determined by school |
| Grad PLUS | 9.08% | 4.228% | Determined by school |
The best private student loans for culinary school
Our comprehensive reviews of the best private student loans for culinary school will guide you through top student loan options for competitive rates, flexible repayment terms, and unique benefits tailored to aspiring chefs.
College Ave
College Ave offers a fast application, flexible repayment options, and coverage up to 100% of certified costs.
Why it’s the best for accredited programs
The College Ave Career Training Loan has no application fees, and the application only takes three minutes to complete.
You can choose between four repayment terms and select fixed or variable interest rates. If you elect to begin making payments while in school, you can do so by making full, flat, or interest-only payments.
It’s great for students attending accredited culinary programs who want flexible repayment options.
- Cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance
- Get an instant credit decision
- Choose your repayment term
| Rates (APR) | 5.59% – 16.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – 100% of certified costs |
| Repayment terms | 5, 8, 10, or 15 years |
Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae works with many career training and culinary programs, including some non-accredited partner schools.
Why it’s one of the best for partner schools
Sallie Mae offers a Smart Option Student Loan for Career Training for professional training programs and trade schools partnered with the lender. Some partnering institutions are non-accredited.
The repayment terms are between 10 and 15 years. Borrowers can’t choose their term, but they can choose between an in-school repayment plan or deferred payments. Sallie Mae also offers several repayment assistance programs to its borrowers.
- Cosigner release after 12 consecutive on-time payments
- Up to 100% of costs are covered
It’s great for students whose school partners directly with Sallie Mae.
| Rates (APR) | 5.59% – 16.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – 100% of certified costs |
| Repayment terms | 10 – 15 years |
Ascent
Ascent offers both cosigned and non-cosigned loans, including options for students with limited credit history.
Why it’s one of the best no-cosigner options
Ascent offers Career Training Loans for culinary students enrolled in qualifying non-degree programs. You’ll pay no application or origination fees, and you can make interest-only payments while in school or defer payments entirely. Unlike most private lenders, Ascent lets you apply with a cosigner or on your own, making it a flexible option for students with limited credit history.
- Cosigned and non-cosigned student loans
- DACA and international students may be eligible
- Choose to start making payments now or 9 months after leaving school
- Check your prequalified rates with no impact on your credit score
It’s great for students who may not have a strong credit profile or cosigner.
| Rates (APR) | 4.09% – 15.95% (cosigned) 8.49% – 15.40% (no cosigner) |
| Loan amounts | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| Repayment terms | 3 – 10 years |
| Min. credit score | 620 (none for outcomes-based loans) |
Edly
With Edly, payments are based on your income rather than a traditional interest rate.
What to know about Edly’s income-based repayment plan
Edly offers two career-training loans to students. Unlike traditional student lenders, Edly products don’t come with interest charges; payments are based on your annual income.
The benefit of this repayment model is that you don’t need to worry about being unable to afford repayment: The monthly payment will be a percentage of your current income.
The downside is that your payments can increase as your income increases. There is an annual cap on how much you will owe, but it’s negotiated based on your loan details.
- Payments only begin once you have a high enough annual income
- Cosigners are not required
- Checking rates doesn’t affect your credit score
It’s great for students who want flexible payments tied to future earnings.
| Rates (APR) | Based on income |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Repayment terms | 7 years |
What is the difference between culinary school loans and standard student loans?
No federal or private student loans are specifically for culinary school. However, you may be able to use federal student loans or private student loans to pay for an undergraduate or graduate degree in culinary arts.
Federal student loans offer fixed interest rates that may be lower than private loans, especially for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. They also have repayment options such as deferment, forbearance, loan forgiveness, and repayment plans that may work better with your budget than private loan repayment.
On the other hand, private student loans may offer higher loan limits, depending on the lender.
Here’s my advice for managing student loans during unpaid culinary internships:
- If feasible, take on part-time work to assist with loan repayments during your internship.
- Consult your school’s financial aid advisor for guidance on loan repayment during internships.
- Aim to build an emergency fund to cover living expenses during this period.
- Contact your loan servicer to explore options like deferment, forbearance, or income-driven repayment plans, especially for federal loans.
- Review your private loan terms; some lenders offer flexible repayment options.
- Consider using funds from a 529 plan or personal investments to make loan payments.
How do you qualify for student loans for culinary school?
Federal and private student loans each have their own eligibility requirements. For most federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans, students must be enrolled in a degree-granting program and attend at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct loans program.
For Direct Subsidized Loans, students must demonstrate financial need. However, Unsubsidized Direct loans don’t have that requirement. Private student loan lenders’ unique eligibility requirements vary by loan type and lender. Private lenders may require the borrower or a cosigner to have good credit. Private lenders are also likely to have fewer repayment plan options.
Below is a table with eligibility details for federal student loans.
| Loans | Eligibility |
| Direct Subsidized | Must attend at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct Loan program and show proof of financial need. |
| Direct Unsubsidized | Must attend at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct Loan program. No proof of financial need necessary. |
| Parent Direct PLUS | Must be the parent of an undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct Loans program and have a good credit history.* |
| Grad PLUS | Must be enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a graduate degree or certificate at a school participating in the Direct Loans program and have a good credit history. |
*Parents with adverse credit histories may still qualify for a Parent PLUS loan with an endorser who agrees to repay the loan if the parent can’t.
How to apply for student loans for culinary school
To apply for federal student loans, follow these steps.
- Make sure the school you want to attend meets the federal student aid program requirements on the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website. You can check by calling the school’s financial aid office. You can also look up the school using the Federal School Code Search on the U.S. Department of Education website to confirm it meets the requirements.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for different types of federal student loans. You can fill out the form online with an FSA ID or create an account for an FSA ID if you don’t already have one. The FAFSA form takes less than an hour to complete. You’ll need to provide information about yourself, such as your name and address, Social Security number, and contact email.
- Wait to hear from your school. Once you submit the FAFSA, the Department of Education sends the form to the school’s financial aid office. The school determines the amount of the student loan and when to disburse the money.
- You typically submit an application on the lender’s website to apply for private student loans. Once you apply, the lender will determine the loan amount you qualify for and whether you need a cosigner based on the lender’s requirements.
Depending on the length of your program, you might be required to repay the loan sooner than if you attended a traditional four-year undergraduate program. Be sure you understand this timeline, ideally by speaking with the financial aid advisor at your school, and prepare a budget with the estimated monthly payment, knowing when it will begin.
Of course, the strategy and repayment plan will not be one-size-fits-all; it will depend on your circumstances and financial resources.
Other culinary school financial aid resources to explore
You may not need to finance your full culinary school education with student loans. Before taking out student loans, check into available scholarships. You may be able to find merit-based or financial-need-based scholarship opportunities.
You can also find scholarships for culinary school at national organizations, including the International Food Service Executives Association and the American Culinary Federation. Some culinary schools may offer scholarships to attend. For example, the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) offers up to 20 scholarships for $25,000 each year. ICE also lists several scholarship opportunities from other parties on its website.
To lower your student loan debt, you may be able to pay for part or all of your education with loans or gifts from your parents or another relative.
FAQ
How much does it cost to go to culinary school in the U.S.?
The cost of attending culinary school in the U.S. can vary depending on the institution and the program length. On average, tuition for a comprehensive program ranges from $20,000 to $50,000.
Some prestigious culinary institutes may charge even higher tuition fees. In addition to tuition, consider additional costs, such as books, uniforms, kitchen supplies, and living expenses.
Can international students get student loans for culinary school?
Yes, international students can get student loans for culinary school, but their options are more limited than those of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Some private lenders offer student loans to international students, often requiring a U.S. cosigner.
International students might explore scholarships, grants, or financial aid from culinary schools or other organizations supporting international education.
Do student loans cover living expenses while at culinary school?
Yes, student loans can cover living expenses while attending culinary school. Federal and private student loans allow borrowers to use loan funds for various education-related expenses, including tuition, books, supplies, housing, food, transportation, and other personal expenses.
Budgeting carefully and borrowing only what you need to avoid excessive debt is essential.
How we selected the best student loans for culinary school
LendEDU evaluates student loan lenders to help readers find the best student loans. Our latest analysis reviewed 725 data points from 25 lenders and financial institutions, with 29 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.
These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.
About our contributors
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Written by Deb HippDeb Hipp is a freelance writer with more than a decade of financial writing experience about mortgages, personal loans, personal finance, and debt.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their pack of senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.