Best Part-Time Student Loans: How to Pay for School on Your Schedule

Going to school part-time can be a great way to balance education with work, family, or other responsibilities—but figuring out how to pay for it can be tricky. Many student loans require at least half-time enrollment, but some private lenders are more flexible.

👉 So what’s the difference between part-time and half-time enrollment?

• Half-time enrollment generally means taking at least six credit hours per semester (or the equivalent at your school). This is the minimum requirement for federal student loans and many private loans.
• Part-time enrollment refers to anything less than full-time status—but can range from one class per semester to nearly full-time. Not all part-time students qualify for loans, so it’s important to check a lender’s enrollment requirements.

The good news? Both federal and private student loans can help fund part-time education—but your options will depend on how many credits you’re taking. Below, we break down the best student loans for part-time students, including each lender’s enrollment requirements, so you can find the right fit for your situation.

Lender	Min. enrollment	Our rating
Dept. of Education	Half-time	Not rated
College Ave	None	5/5
Sallie Mae	None	4.8/5
Earnest	Half-time	4.7/5
SoFi	Half-time	4.7/5
ELFI	Half-time	4.5/5

Federal part-time student loans

Federal student loans offer fixed interest rates, income-driven repayment plans, and loan forgiveness options—but you must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify.

Loan	Rate	Annual limit	Benefit
Direct Subsidized	5.50%	$3,500 – $5,500	No interest while in school
Direct Unsubsidized	5.50% (undergrad), 7.05% (grad)	$5,500 – $20,500	Higher $ limits but interest accrues
Direct PLUS	8.05%	Up to full CoA*	Avail. for grad students and parents, credit check required

❗Important: If you drop below half-time enrollment, your six-month grace period begins, meaning repayment will start sooner than expected. If you need to pause payments, you may qualify for forbearance or deferment, but interest may continue to accrue.

To apply, complete the FAFSA and check with your school’s financial aid office for eligibility.

Private part-time student loans

Private student loans are another option for funding part-time enrollment. The eligibility requirements are different: Lenders consider borrowers’ credit history and income when reviewing applications. If you’re worried about getting approved, consider applying with a cosigner.

Here are the best lenders for private part-time student loans.

College Ave

Best Overall

5.0 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

📌 No minimum enrollment requirement

College Ave is one of the few lenders that offers student loans to part-time students, even if you’re enrolled less than half-time. Whether you’re taking just a few courses or working toward a degree at your own pace, College Ave provides flexible repayment terms and allows you to borrow up to 100% of your school-certified costs.

With no prepayment penalties and a quick three-minute application process, College Ave makes it easy for part-time students to secure funding without the usual enrollment restrictions.

💡 Why part-time students like it: No minimum enrollment required, flexible repayment options, and a fast application process.

Loan details

Rates (APR)	4.22% – 17.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 8, 10, or 15 years

Sallie Mae

Best for Cosigners

4.8 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

📌 Loans available for students attending less than half-time

Sallie Mae is one of the most part-time-friendly lenders, offering loans to students attending school less than half-time, including those taking just one or two classes per semester. This makes it a solid choice for students balancing school with work or personal commitments.

A major benefit is cosigner release after just 12 months of on-time payments, one of the shortest timelines available. Sallie Mae also covers study abroad, online courses, and summer classes, making it a versatile choice for part-time students.

💡 Why part-time students like it: No half-time enrollment requirement, flexible loan amounts, and cosigner release in just one year.

Loan terms

Rates (APR)	4.15% – 15.70%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years

Earnest

Best for Large Loans

4.7 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

📌 Requires half-time enrollment

If you’re enrolled at least half-time and need a larger loan amount, Earnest is a strong option. You can borrow up to your full cost of attendance, and the lender offers no fees, no late payment penalties, and the ability to skip one payment per year if needed.

Earnest’s loans are well-suited for graduate or professional students attending part-time, especially those in programs with higher tuition costs. However, you (or your cosigner) will need strong credit and income to qualify.

💡 Why part-time students like it: High borrowing limits, flexible repayment, and no hidden fees.

Loan details

Rates (APR)	4.17% – 16.85%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years

SoFi

Best for Member Benefits

4.7 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

📌 Requires half-time enrollment

SoFi more than just student loans—it provides career coaching, networking events, and financial planning tools that can be especially useful for part-time students juggling work and school.

SoFi loans come with no fees, and borrowers can defer payments while in school. If you’re attending at least half-time and want additional financial perks beyond your loan, SoFi could be an excellent fit.

💡 Why part-time students like it: Access to career coaching, networking, and financial planning tools, plus competitive rates.

Loan details

Rates (APR)	4.19% – 14.83%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 7, 10, or 15 years

ELFI

Best Student Loan Advisors

4.5 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

📌 Requires half-time enrollment

ELFI stands out for its personalized customer service, assigning each borrower a dedicated loan advisor to guide them through the application and repayment process.

If you’re a part-time student looking for one-on-one support while securing funding, ELFI’s hands-on approach can help. It also offers flexible repayment terms up to 15 years and no origination or prepayment fees.

💡 Why part-time students like it: Personalized loan support, flexible repayment terms, and no fees.

Loan details

Rates (APR)	3.98% – 14.22%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5 – 15 years

My recommendation for part-time students can depend on why you’re a part-time student.

• Is it due to caring for your children during the hours you aren’t in school? If so, making payments on your loan while going to school may not be an option yet.
• If you’re working part-time, consider building a line item into your budget to make payments while attending school.

Of course, many options and scenarios exist in between the two examples above, so it truly depends on the individual’s circumstances. I also don’t recommend borrowing more than you need, which can lead to unnecessary overspending and, of course, more debt.

How to apply for part-time student loans

Applying for student loans as a part-time student follows the same basic steps as full-time students, aside from these differences:

1. Federal loans require at least half-time enrollment—if you’re taking fewer credits, you’ll need to explore private lenders.
2. Private lenders have different enrollment rules—some require half-time status, while others (such as College Ave and Sallie Mae) allow part-time students to qualify.
3. Dropping below half-time can affect repayment—check with your lender to understand how your enrollment status impacts your loan.

📌 Check out our step-by-step guide on applying for student loans.

FAQ

Which part-time student loan is the best?

If you’re enrolled at least half-time, consider federal student loans first. If you’re attending school less than half-time or have maxed out your available federal loans, consider a top-rated private lender, such as College Ave or Sallie Mae. 

Are there differences between full-time and part-time student loans?

The loans themselves are similar, but only certain student loans are available to part-time students, which might make it more challenging for part-time students to secure the funding they need. Your enrollment status could also affect when your repayment for that loan begins.

How we selected the best part-time 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.

Recap of the best part-time student loans

Lender	Min. enrollment	Our rating
Dept. of Education	Half-time	Not rated
College Ave	None	5/5
Sallie Mae	None	4.8/5
Earnest	Half-time	4.7/5
SoFi	Half-time	4.7/5
ELFI	Half-time	4.5/5