Sallie Mae Student Loans Review 2025: A Look at Its Full Range of Loan Options

Best for Cosigners

4.8 _/5

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Our take: Sallie Mae offers a wide range of private student loans for undergrads, grad students, and even professional expenses like residencies or the bar exam. It stands out for quick cosigner release and flexible enrollment, but poor customer reviews, no prequalification, and no refinancing options are drawbacks.

Private Student Loans

• Quick 12-month cosigner release
• Open to full-time, half-time, and less-than-half-time students
• Private student loans for a wide range of educational opportunities

• No prequalification option
• Doesn’t offer student loan refinances
• Poor ratings and reviews from borrowers

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 16.99% (based on undergrad, varies by loan type)
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 17.49% (based on undergrad, varies by loan type)
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already factored into listed rates
Grace period	6 months after leaving school (longer for some graduate/professional loans)
Cosigner release	Eligible after 12 months of on-time payments, if credit criteria are met
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties
Customer ratings	Poor—averages around 1.0–1.5 stars across review sites; app ratings 4.2–4.5 stars

Table of Contents

1. What is Sallie Mae?
2. Sallie Mae student loans
   1. Undergraduate student loan
   2. Career training student loan
   3. Nursing school loans
   4. Flight school loans
   5. Graduate school loans
   6. MBA loans
   7. Law school loans
   8. Medical school loans
   9. Health professions loans
   10. Dental school loans
   11. Bar exam loans
   12. Medical residency loans
   13. Dental residency loans
3. Sallie Mae loan requirements
   1. Does Sallie Mae require a cosigner?
4. Sallie Mae payment options
   1. Does Sallie Mae offer income-based repayment?
5. Sallie Mae student loan alternatives
   1. Sallie Mae vs. College Ave
   2. Sallie Mae vs. Ascent
   3. Sallie Mae vs. Earnest
6. Is Sallie Mae legit? Customer reviews and reputation
7. How to apply for a Sallie Mae student loan
8. Sallie Mae customer service
9. Is Sallie Mae a good loan option?

What is Sallie Mae?

Sallie Mae is a private student loan lender that offers financing for a wide range of educational needs, from undergraduate and graduate school to professional programs, bar exam costs, and medical or dental residencies.

Originally created in 1972 as a government-sponsored enterprise to manage federal student loans, it became fully privatized in 2004. Today, all Sallie Mae products are private loans and do not include federal protections like income-driven repayment or forgiveness.

Sallie Mae student loans

Undergraduate student loan

Best Undergrad Loan for Cosigners

4.8 _/5

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Smart Option Student Loan for Undergraduates

• Quick cosigner release
• Open to students studying less than half-time
• Three in-school repayment options (interest-only, $25 payments, or deferment) 

• Customer reviews aren’t very positive
• Can’t get a rate quote before applying
• Can’t refinance loans later on with same lender

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 16.99%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 17.49%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	6 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Career training student loan

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Career training student loans

• No courseload requirements
• Loan discharge available in case of death or disability
• Option to make interest-only payments for a year after graduating

• Doesn’t offer loan prequalification
• Unfavorable ratings from borrowers
• Must still be attending a “participating school”

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 17.18%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 17.49%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	6 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Nursing school loans

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Nursing school loans

• Available if you study full-time, half-time, or less
• Cosigners eligible for release in as little as one year
• Three in-school repayment options: Deferred, $25, or interest-only

• Poor customer service ratings from actual borrowers
• Not eligible for Sallie Mae’s Graduated Repayment Plan
• No prequalification; must apply to see loan options and costs

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 16.99%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 17.49%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	6 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Flight school loans

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Flight school loans

• Two loan options: 12-month Airline Career loan or undergraduate loan
• Long 12-month grace period for Airline Career loans
• Can be used to cover flight training hours, license fees, and more

• Low ratings and reviews from borrowers
• Can only be used at certain flight schools
• Can only select a 15-year term for Airline Career loans

Variable rates (APR)	Not disclosed
Fixed rates (APR)	Not disclosed
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	6 months for undergrad loan, 12 months for flight school loan
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Graduate school loans

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Graduate school loans

• Slightly lower rates than for undergrad loans
• Cosigner eligible for release after 12 months
• Choose from three in-school repayment options: Interest-only, $25 payments, or deferred

• Poor track record of satisfied borrowers
• Must submit a full loan application to get rate quotes
• Can’t refinance to consolidate your loans later with Sallie Mae

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 13.98%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 14.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	6 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

MBA loans

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MBA school loans

• Quick cosigner release
• Still eligible if you’re studying half-time or less
• Broader range of term length options (five to 15 years)

• Poor ratings and reviews from Sallie Mae borrowers
• No option to check rates without a hard credit inquiry
• Can’t refinance with Sallie Mae later if you want to streamline loans

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 13.98%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 14.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	5 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	6 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Law school loans

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Law school loans

• Longer grace period (9 months) than other loans
• Graduated repayment plan with interest-free payments after leaving school
• Defer repayment for up to 48 months during a clerkship or for bar exam study

• Loan prequalification not available
• Can’t use funds to pay expenses while studying for bar exam
• Doesn’t have the greatest reviews and ratings from borrowers

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 13.97%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 14.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	9 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Medical school loans

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Medical school loans

• Uber-long 36-month grace period
• Defer loans up to 48 months for a residency or fellowship
• Sallie Mae also offers loans for residencies and relocating

• Can’t refinance your loans together later with Sallie Mae
• Can be used for some international study programs, but not all
• Low borrower satisfaction based on available ratings and reviews

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 13.96%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 14.98%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	36 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Health professions loans

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Health professions loans

• Option to make interest-only payments your first year
• Offers up to 48 months deferment during a residency or fellowship
• Offers three choices for payment options or deferment while in school

• Borrower reviews and ratings aren’t great
• Can’t use funds to pay for related licensures or exam costs
• No option to check rates without impacting your credit score

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 13.98%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 14.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	6 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Dental school loans

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Dental school loans

• Full year-long grace period before payments begin
• 48 months of deferment for fellowships and residencies
• Cosigner release available after you’ve made 12 on-time payments

• Doesn’t offer loan prequalification
• Sallie Mae doesn’t get the best ratings from actual customers
• Can’t use loan funds for board exams or certain travel related to your degree

Variable rates (APR)	4.37% – 13.97%
Fixed rates (APR)	2.89% – 14.98%
Loan amounts	$1,000 up to your full school-certified cost of attendance
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	12 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Bar exam loans

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Bar exam loans

• Receive funds directly; not routed through your school
• Interest-only payment option available for first two to four years of repayment
• Use funds to cover living expenses, text fees, etc. while studying for bar exam

• Very high interest rates
• Can’t get a rate quote unless you complete a full loan application
• Interest-only payment plan leads to higher monthly payments later

Variable rates (APR)	7.13% – 16.74%
Fixed rates (APR)	7.01% – 15.26%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – $15,000
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	9 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Medical residency loans

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Medical residency loans

• Use for medical, dental, podiatry, or veterinary residencies
• Option to make interest-only payments for first two or four years
• Use for any and all travel, study, exam, and living costs while completing a residency

• Must provide proof of residency before you can apply
• Borrowers report poor customer service in general with Sallie Mae loans
• Sallie Mae doesn’t offer refinance loans to help you combine your debts later

Variable rates (APR)	7.00% – 12.45%
Fixed rates (APR)	6.40% – 11.89%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – $30,000
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	9 months
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Dental residency loans

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Dental residency loans

• Grace period up to 3 years after graduation
• Graduated repayment where you make lower, interest-only payments for the first 2 or 4 years of repayment available upon request
• Receive funds in one or two disbursements
• Flexible funds use, including for living expenses, travel costs, exam fees, etc.

• Charges much higher interest rates than loans for study
• Ratings and reviews from actual borrowers aren’t very good
• Must provide proof of enrollment in a dental residency before you apply

Variable rates (APR)	7.00% – 12.45%
Fixed rates (APR)	6.40% – 11.89%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – $30,000
Repayment terms	Not disclosed, but graduated repayment available
Rate discounts	0.25% autopay discount, already included in rates listed above
Grace period	9 months after leaving school or 3 years after you graduate
Cosigner release	Available after 12 months of on-time payments and meeting other requirements
Fees	No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Sallie Mae loan requirements

To qualify for a Sallie Mae student loan, you’ll need to be enrolled in an eligible program at a participating school and borrow at least $1,000. Eligibility isn’t limited to full-time students—Sallie Mae also offers loans for half-time and even less-than-half-time enrollment, depending on the program. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, though noncitizens may qualify with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner.

What credit score does Sallie Mae require?

Sallie Mae doesn’t disclose an official minimum credit score, but generally you’ll need at least a mid-600s credit score to qualify. Many student borrowers don’t have an established credit history, which is why Sallie Mae makes cosigner options widely available. A creditworthy cosigner can significantly improve your chances of approval and help you qualify for better rates.

Does Sallie Mae require a cosigner?

Not always—but most students will need one. Sallie Mae allows students to apply on their own, but approval is far more likely with a cosigner, especially if you have little to no credit history or income. The good news is that Sallie Mae offers cosigner release after just 12 months of on-time payments if certain requirements are met, which is faster than most lenders.

Sallie Mae payment options

Borrowers can choose from several repayment approaches while in school:

• Deferred repayment – Pay nothing until after your grace period ends.
• Fixed $25 payments – Make small, flat monthly payments while in school to reduce interest build-up.
• Interest-only payments – Pay just the interest while in school to prevent your balance from growing.

After graduation and the grace period, Sallie Mae offers standard repayment terms of 10–15 years, depending on your loan type.

Does Sallie Mae offer income-based repayment?

No. Sallie Mae is a private lender and does not offer federal income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. Those plans are only available with federal student loans. Sallie Mae repayment options are more limited, though some professional loans (like law or medical school loans) come with features such as extended grace periods, deferment during residency, or graduated repayment schedules.

Sallie Mae student loan alternatives

Here are the most popular alternatives to Sallie Mae and how they compare:

Sallie Mae vs. College Ave

College Ave offers a wider range of term length options, from five to 15 years. Rates are comparable to Sallie Mae.

Sallie Mae vs. Ascent

Ascent charges similar rates and offers a broader range of loan types, including parent loans and options for upperclassmen to apply without a cosigner. 

Sallie Mae vs. Earnest

Earnest offers a longer 9-month grace period as the standard on its student loans, along with rates on par with Sallie Mae. It does not offer cosigner release, though.

Is Sallie Mae legit? Customer reviews and reputation

In general, Sallie Mae receives poor marks from borrowers on most independent review platforms. The company’s ratings are consistently low on Yelp, Google, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau, averaging barely above 1 star out of 5. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has also logged more than 2,600 complaints since 2015, many involving payment processing issues, billing disputes, or difficulty resolving problems with customer service.

Platform	Rating	Number of reviews
Yelp	1.0/5	19
Google	1.4/5	137
Trustpilot	1.3/5	58
Apple App Store	4.5/5	94,500
Google Play Store	4.2/5	11,300
Better Business Bureau (BBB)	1.08/5	133

What borrowers like: The Sallie Mae mobile apps are highly rated, with 4.2–4.5 stars on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Borrowers often praise the apps’ ease of use for making payments and checking balances.

What borrowers complain about: Reviews on Yelp, Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB are overwhelmingly negative. Common complaints include:

• Confusing billing practices and unexpected charges
• Difficulty reaching helpful customer service agents
• Problems with payment processing or applying extra payments correctly
• Lack of flexibility with repayment options compared to federal loans
• Feeling “trapped” because Sallie Mae doesn’t offer refinancing to consolidate loans later

Overall, Sallie Mae is legitimate, but its customer reputation is one of the weakest among private lenders. If you value strong customer service or want repayment flexibility, you may want to compare Sallie Mae against alternatives like College Ave, Ascent, or Earnest.

How to apply for a Sallie Mae student loan

1. Complete an application: You and your cosigner will complete an online application, available on Sallie Mae’s homepage. 
2. Choose your loan options: If you’re approved, you’ll get to choose your interest rate type and repayment terms before you sign the final acceptance documents. 
3. School certification: Sallie Mae will check the final loan details with your school.
4. Disbursement: After a three-day cancellation period, Sallie Mae will send the funds to your school. Any remaining funds will be sent to you.

Sallie Mae customer service

If you need help with your Sallie Mae loan, the company offers several ways to get in touch.

• Phone: 1-855-756-5626, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. 
• Online chat: Available on Sallie Mae’s Contact page, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST on Fridays. 
• Mailing address: Sallie Mae, P.O. Box 3319, Wilmington, DE 19804-4319

Is Sallie Mae a good loan option?

Sallie Mae offers many things you won’t find with other lenders, and for some borrowers, that might make all the difference: 

• You want a quicker path to releasing your cosigner.
• You’re not enrolled on a full-time or even a half-time basis.
• You need funding to bridge the gap between graduation and full licensure.

However, be aware that, unlike most lenders, Sallie Mae doesn’t offer prequalification. You can’t check your rate and loan options without submitting a full application, which can impact your credit score. If you get all your rate shopping done in a short period, though, it shouldn’t matter too much.

In addition, Sallie Mae doesn’t offer student loan refinancing. If you want to refinance to change your terms or reduce your rate, you’ll need to refinance with a different lender. Read more about how to to do that here.

How we rated Sallie Mae private student loans

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.