LendEDU’s Take
College Ave is our top choice for student loans, offering flexible repayment options, competitive rates, and minimal fees. With private loans for students and parents plus refinancing options, College Ave combines convenience with helpful benefits, including autopay discounts and quick prequalification.
Fixed APRs
2.89% – 17.99%
Variable APRs
4.24% – 17.99%
Funding
$1K – 100% of costs
What we like
- Choose your repayment terms, including in-school repayment or deferred
- No origination or prepayment fees
- Available to students enrolled less than half-time
- Loans for undergrads, grads, parents, non-traditional students, and more
- Multi-Year Peace of Mind® lets you receive future loans at better approval odds
- Can apply for an additional 6-month grace period
- Ambition Student Mastercard® can help students build credit responsibly while in school
- Frequent scholarship giveaways and sweepstakes
What to keep in mind
- Long wait period for cosigner release
- Majority of applicants need a cosigner
LendEDU’s Take
College Ave is a legit student loan refinance lender, but it falls short of our picks for the best refinance for several reasons.
Fixed APRs
6.99% – 13.99%
Variable APRs
4.24% – 17.99%
Funding
$1K – 100% of loans
What we like
- Choice of 20 term length options
- No origination or prepayment fees
What to keep in mind
- Not available for non-graduates
- Long wait period for cosigner release
- Higher rates compared to competitors
College Ave is one of the best private student loan lenders for borrowers who want flexible repayment options, broad loan availability, and a fast prequalification process. It offers private student loans for undergraduates, graduate students, parents, career programs, and professional degrees, plus student loan refinancing.
College Ave stands out for its customizable repayment options, no origination or prepayment fees, and specialized benefits for students in medical, dental, law, and health professions. However, most undergraduate borrowers need a cosigner, and cosigner release takes longer than at some competitors.
We think College Ave is a strong fit for students with good credit support, borrowers who want repayment flexibility, and professional students who may need extra time before full repayment begins.
Table of Contents
- College Ave student loans at a glance
- Is College Ave a good student loan lender?
- Pros and cons
- What makes College Ave different?
- College Ave student loan types
- Which College Ave loan is best for you?
- Eligibility requirements
- Does College Ave require a cosigner?
- How repayment works
- College Ave fees
- College Ave student loan refinancing review
- College Ave alternatives
- Is College Ave legit?
- How to apply for a College Ave student loan
- How to apply for College Ave refinancing
- FAQ
- Final verdict: Is College Ave right for you?
College Ave student loans at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Flexible private student loans |
| Loan types | Undergraduate, graduate, parent, career, professional degree, bar study, refinance |
| Funding | $1,000 up to school-certified costs for most loans |
| Fees | No origination or prepayment fees |
| Cosigner required | Usually, especially for undergraduates |
| Availability | All 50 states |
| Prequalification | Available with no credit score impact |
| Rate discount | 0.25 percentage points with autopay |
| Cosigner release | Available after half the repayment term, if eligible |
Is College Ave a good student loan lender?
College Ave is a good student loan lender if you want a private student loan with flexible repayment choices, broad degree coverage, and a simple online application. It offers loans for many borrower types, including undergraduates, graduate students, parents, career program students, and borrowers refinancing existing student loans.
College Ave may not be the best fit if you want the fastest cosigner release, need a no-cosigner student loan, or are refinancing and want the lowest possible rate. In those cases, lenders such as Sallie Mae, Ascent, Earnest, or SoFi may be worth comparing.
Pros and cons of College Ave student loans
What we like
- Multiple in-school repayment options, including deferred, interest-only, flat monthly, and full principal-and-interest payments
- Loans for undergraduate, graduate, parent, career, medical, dental, law, MBA, health professions, and bar study borrowers
- No origination or prepayment fees
- Soft-credit prequalification available
- Loans available to students enrolled less than half-time
- Specialized deferment options for medical, dental, health professions, and law students
- Multi-Year Peace of Mind® may improve approval odds for future loans
- Autopay discount available
What to keep in mind
- Most undergraduate borrowers need a cosigner
- Cosigner release is not available until halfway through the repayment term
- Parent loans don’t offer cosigner release because parents can’t apply with a cosigner
- Refinance rates may be higher than rates from some top refinance lenders
- Bar study loans have variable rates only and require immediate repayment
What makes College Ave different?
College Ave stands out because it offers more loan options than many private student loan lenders. Instead of limiting borrowers to undergraduate, graduate, and refinance loans, College Ave also offers parent loans, career loans, professional degree loans, and bar study loans.
Its repayment flexibility is another major advantage. Depending on the loan type, borrowers may choose from several in-school payment options and repayment terms. Medical, dental, law, and health professions students may also qualify for longer grace periods or deferment during residency, clerkship, or training.
College Ave is also one of the more accessible private lenders for enrollment status. Students may be eligible even if they’re enrolled less than half-time, which is not always the case with private student loan lenders.
College Ave student loan types
College Ave offers several private student loan products. Instead of applying through separate lender pages, you can compare the main options below and click through to the product that matches your borrowing needs.
| Product | Best for | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate student loans | Bachelor’s degree students | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Graduate student loans | Master’s and doctoral students | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Parent student loans | Parents borrowing for a student | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Career student loans | Select career training programs | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Medical student loans | Medical school and residency planning | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Dental student loans | Dental school students | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Law student loans | Law school students | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| MBA student loans | Business school students | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Health professions student loans | Nursing, therapy, pharmacy, and other health programs | $1,000 up to school-certified costs |
| Bar study loans | Bar exam and prep costs | $1,000 to $10,000 |
| Student loan refinancing | Borrowers replacing existing student loans | $5,000 up to program-based limits |
Which College Ave loan is best for you?
According to our private student loans survey, 91.3% of College Ave borrowers were either somewhat confident or fully confident that they understood the terms of their student loan. That’s higher than all other private student loan lenders except SoFi®.
Best for undergraduates
College Ave’s undergraduate student loan is best for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree who want flexible repayment options. Borrowers can choose from several in-school payment plans, including deferred repayment, interest-only payments, flat monthly payments, or full payments.
Most undergraduate borrowers need a cosigner, but adding one may help you qualify or receive a lower rate.
Best for graduate students
College Ave’s graduate student loan is best for master’s, doctoral, and professional students who need more funding after scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans. Graduate borrowers may qualify for a longer grace period than undergraduate borrowers.
Best for medical, dental, and health professions students
College Ave’s medical, dental, and health professions loans are designed for students who may not begin earning a full income right after graduation. Depending on the program, borrowers may get longer grace periods and deferment options during residency or training.
These loans may be especially useful if you need repayment flexibility while completing medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, therapy, or other health-related programs.
Best for law students
College Ave’s law school loan can help cover law school costs and may include clerkship deferment. College Ave also offers a separate bar study loan for JD candidates preparing for the bar exam.
Best for parents
College Ave parent loans are best for parents who want to borrow directly rather than have the student take out the loan. Parent borrowers can choose interest-only payments while the student is in school, but they can’t apply with a cosigner.
Best for career training
College Ave career loans may be available to students in select nontraditional or career-focused programs. This option could be helpful if your program does not fit the standard undergraduate or graduate loan structure.
Best for refinancing
College Ave refinancing may be a fit if you want flexible term options and have already completed your degree. However, borrowers focused on getting the lowest refinance rate should compare College Ave with lenders such as SoFi, Earnest, and ELFI. (Jump to our full review of College Ave’s refinance loans.)
College Ave eligibility requirements
College Ave does not publish one universal approval formula for every loan, but applicants generally need to meet credit, income, citizenship, and school eligibility requirements.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or permanent resident; international students may qualify with an eligible cosigner |
| State availability | All 50 states |
| Minimum age | 16 |
| Enrollment status | No minimum enrollment status for some loans |
| Credit score | Generally mid-600s or higher for approved borrowers or cosigners |
| Income | Generally at least $35,000 |
| Cosigner | Usually needed for undergraduate borrowers |
Does College Ave require a cosigner?
Most undergraduate borrowers need a cosigner to qualify for a College Ave student loan. College Ave reports that 97% of its undergraduate student loans are cosigned.
A cosigner can help borrowers with limited credit history qualify and may help them access better loan terms. Borrowers may apply for cosigner release after reaching the halfway point of the repayment term, but they must qualify independently at that time.
How College Ave repayment works
College Ave gives borrowers several repayment options, though availability depends on the loan type. Many private student loans offer repayment terms of five, eight, 10, or 15 years. Some professional degree loans and refinance loans may offer longer terms.
| Repayment feature | Details |
|---|---|
| In-school repayment | Full, interest-only, flat monthly, or deferred payments |
| Standard terms | Often 5, 8, 10, or 15 years |
| Longer terms | Available for some professional degree and refinance loans |
| Grace period | Varies by loan type |
| Autopay discount | 0.25 percentage points |
| Cosigner release | Available after half the repayment term, if eligible |
Making payments while in school can reduce your total interest cost. Choosing a shorter term can also lower the total amount of interest you pay, though it usually results in a higher monthly payment.
College Ave fees
College Ave does not charge origination or prepayment fees. That means you won’t pay a fee to take out the loan, and you can pay it off early without a penalty.
College Ave may charge a late fee if you miss a payment. Borrowers can reduce their rate by enrolling in autopay.
College Ave student loan refinancing review
College Ave also offers student loan refinancing for borrowers who have completed a degree and want to replace one or more existing student loans with a new private loan.
Refinancing with College Ave may make sense if you want flexible repayment terms or need to refinance a smaller or larger loan balance. However, College Ave’s refinance product earns a lower editorial rating than its private student loans, and several refinance lenders may offer stronger rates or borrower benefits.
College Ave refinance at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Borrowers who want flexible loan amounts and term options |
| Loan type | Private student loan refinancing |
| Funding | $5,000 up to program-based limits |
| Terms | 5 to 20 years |
| Degree required | Yes |
| Fees | No origination or prepayment fees |
| Cosigner release | Available halfway through the loan term, if eligible |
College Ave alternatives
College Ave is one of our top private student loan lenders, but it’s still worth comparing multiple options before borrowing. The best lender depends on your credit, cosigner, degree program, repayment preferences, and whether you’re taking out a new student loan or refinancing existing debt.
fixed apr
4.13% – 17.99%
4.13% – 17.99%
2.89% – 14.41%
4.13% – 17.99%
variable apr
4.13% – 17.99%
4.13% – 17.99%
4.34% – 14.75%
4.13% – 17.99%
best for
Best overall
Cosigner release
Graduation reward
Repayment perks
funding
$1K – total costs
$1K – total costs
$2K – $200K
$1K – total costs
min. credit score
Mid-600s
Mid-600s
620
650
refinance available?
Yes
No
No
Yes
Is College Ave legit?
Yes, College Ave is a legitimate private student loan lender. It works directly with schools, offers prequalification with no impact on credit scores, and provides private student loans and student loan refinancing nationwide.
According to our private student loans survey, 86.96% of College Ave borrowers said they would recommend private student loans to others. That’s the highest rate across all lenders.
College Ave also earns strong borrower reviews for its simple application process, fast approvals, and helpful customer service. Some borrowers report confusion about final rates or disbursement timing, so it’s important to review your loan terms carefully before accepting an offer.
| Source | Customer rating | Number of reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.5/5 | 3.3K |
| Better Business Bureau | 3.48/5, A+, Accredited | 54 |
| 3.2/5 | 255 |
Also of note: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports 68 complaints filed against College Ave since 2017.
How to apply for a College Ave student loan
You can apply for a College Ave student loan online.
How to apply for College Ave refinancing
The refinance application is similar, but your school is not involved. You’ll enter details about the loans you want to refinance, choose your new terms if approved, and College Ave will pay off the loans you refinance.
You’ll then make payments to College Ave on the new refinance loan.
FAQ
Is College Ave a federal or private student loan lender?
College Ave is a private student loan lender. Its loans are not federal student loans, so they do not include federal benefits such as income-driven repayment, federal deferment protections, or federal student loan forgiveness programs.
What credit score do you need for College Ave?
College Ave does not publish a strict minimum credit score, but approved borrowers or cosigners generally have credit scores in the mid-600s or higher.
Does College Ave offer cosigner release?
Yes, College Ave offers cosigner release for eligible loans after the borrower reaches the halfway point of the repayment term and qualifies independently. Parent loans do not offer cosigner release because parents can’t apply with a cosigner.
Can international students qualify for College Ave loans?
International students may qualify for College Ave student loans if they apply with an eligible U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner.
Does College Ave refinance student loans?
Yes, College Ave offers student loan refinancing. Borrowers must have completed a degree to qualify.
Can you use College Ave loans for past-due tuition?
College Ave may allow borrowers to use student loans for past-due balances, depending on the school and loan eligibility. Check with College Ave and your school before applying.
Does College Ave offer deferment during residency?
Yes, some College Ave professional degree loans offer deferment during residency, training, or clerkship. Availability depends on the specific loan type.
Final verdict: Is College Ave right for you?
College Ave is one of the best private student loan lenders if you want flexible repayment options, broad loan availability, and a simple application process. It’s especially strong for students with cosigners, borrowers enrolled less than half-time, and graduate or professional students who need repayment flexibility during residency or training.
It may not be the best fit if you need a no-cosigner loan, want fast cosigner release, or are refinancing and want the lowest possible rate. Before borrowing, compare College Ave with other top private student loan lenders and prequalify when possible to review your actual rates and terms.
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About our contributors
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Written by Lindsay VanSomerenLindsay VanSomeren is a personal finance writer living in Suquamish, Washington. She's passionate about helping people manage their money better so that they can live the life they want. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, reading, and learning new languages and hobbies.
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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.