Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans Best Student Loans for Certificate Programs in 2025 Updated Jul 29, 2025 7-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Rebecca Lake, CEPF® Written by Rebecca Lake, CEPF® Expertise: Student loans, mortgages, home-buying, credit, debt, personal loans, education planning, insurance, investing, small business Rebecca Lake is a certified educator in personal finance (CEPF®) and freelance writer specializing in finance. Learn more about Rebecca Lake, CEPF® Reviewed by Chloe Moore, CFP® Reviewed by Chloe Moore, CFP® Expertise: Equity compensation, home ownership, employee benefits, general finance Chloe Moore, CFP®, is the founder of Financial Staples, a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, and serving clients nationwide. Her firm is dedicated to assisting tech employees in their 30s and 40s who are entrepreneurial-minded, philanthropic, and purpose-driven. Learn more about Chloe Moore, CFP® Certificate programs are a flexible, career-focused path, and yes, student loans can help pay for them. Whether your program qualifies for FAFSA or you’re leaning on private lenders, this guide walks you through the best options for 2025. We’ll show you which loans to consider, how eligibility works, and even which certificate programs are approved for federal aid. LenderBest forOur ratingDept. of EducationFederal student loansNot ratedCollege AvePrivate student loans5.0/5Sallie MaeCosigners4.8/5AscentSoft credit check4.4/5 Table of Contents Federal student loans Private student loanss College Ave Sallie Mae Ascent What certificate programs qualify for FAFSA? Can you get financial aid for a certificate program? What to consider before borrowing Alternatives to student loans FAFSA-approved certificate programs list FAQ Federal student loans for certificate programs If you’re considering a certificate program, start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to check your eligibility for federal aid. The FAFSA allows you to list up to 20 schools, and you can update it to add more if needed. Check with your school to confirm your program qualifies for federal aid. The Department of Education evaluates eligibility based on clock hours, semester hours, and the program’s duration. Programs with less than 16 semester hours typically don’t qualify. If your program qualifies, here are your options: Federal loan typeWho it’s forDetailsDirect Subsidized LoansUndergrads with financial needNo interest while enrolled half-timeDirect Unsubsidized LoansUndergrads or grads, no need requiredInterest accrues during schoolGrad PLUS LoansGraduate or professional studentsRequires credit check; highest interest and fees Federal loans come with fixed rates, deferment, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs. If you’re eligible, start with Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. Private student loans for certificate programs If your program isn’t eligible for federal aid or you’ve reached borrowing limits, private student loans can fill the gap. These loans typically require good credit or a qualified cosigner. Company Best for… Rates (APR) Rating (0-5) 5.0 View Rates Best Overall 4.22% – 17.99%1 5.0 View Rates 4.8 View Rates Best for Cosigners 4.25% – 15.70% 4.8 View Rates 4.8 View Rates Best for Soft Credit Check 3.69% – 16.20% 4.8 View Rates College Ave Best Overall 5.0 /5 View Rates Why it’s one of the best College Ave offers career loans with reasonable fixed and variable interest rates. Funding is available for various educational levels, including associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degree programs. You don’t need to seek a degree to qualify; certificate programs are eligible for loan funding. You can add a cosigner to improve your approval chances or help you secure more favorable loan terms. College Ave does allow cosigner release when certain conditions are met. You and your cosigner must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Career loans cover up to 100% of costs Borrowers do not need to be seeking a degree to qualify Minimum loan amount is $1,000 Loan details Rates (APR)4.22% – 17.99%1Loan amounts$1,000 – 100% of certified costsRepayment terms5, 8, 10, or 15 years Sallie Mae Best for Cosigners 4.8 /5 View Rates Why it’s one of the best Sallie Mae offers career training loans for certificate programs, covering all program-related costs for one year. The Smart Option Student Loan for career training has no origination fees or prepayment penalties, and you can choose a repayment term that best fits your budget. You can choose from fixed or variable rates, with repayment terms extending 10 to 15 years. Sallie Mae accepts cosigners, which could make it easier to qualify if you have a limited or poor credit history. You can apply for cosigner release after completing your certificate program and meeting other conditions. Career training loans cover up to 100% of certificate program costs for one year Cosigners are accepted, with release available after 12 consecutive, on-time payments No prepayment penalties or origination fees Loan details Rates (APR)4.25% – 15.70%Loan amounts$1,000 – 100% of certified costsRepayment terms10 – 15 years Ascent Best for a Soft Credit Check 4.8 /5 View Rates Why it’s one of the best Ascent offers private student loans for certificate programs and boot camp loans to help you cover tuition costs. The minimum loan is $2,000, and it’s possible to borrow up to 100% of the attendance costs. Ascent has generous aggregate borrowing limits for undergraduates and graduate students. These loans are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but Ascent also accepts applications from DACA recipients. You can add a cosigner, and you can apply for cosigner release after meeting minimum requirements. Loan details Rates (APR)3.69% – 16.20%Loan amounts$2,001 – $200,000Repayment terms5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years What certificate programs qualify for FAFSA? To qualify for federal aid, your certificate program must: Be offered through a Title IV-participating school Meet minimum duration and credit/clock hour requirements Be considered a valid postsecondary credential Many short-term or non-degree bootcamps aren’t eligible, even if reputable. Always confirm eligibility with your school’s financial aid office or use the Federal School Code Lookup. Can you get financial aid for a certificate program? Yes, if your program and school qualify. Here are your options: Loans: Federal loans (if eligible) or private student loans Grants: Pell Grants, state grants (often need-based) Scholarships: Offered by schools, employers, nonprofits Work-study: May be available at some Title IV institutions You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for most federal and state aid. What to consider before borrowing Check program eligibility: Not all programs qualify for federal or private loans Credit score and cosigner: Private lenders may require a cosigner if your credit is limited Compare rates & terms: Lower APR = lower total cost; shorter terms = faster payoff Look for protections: Federal loans offer deferment, forbearance, and income-driven repayment Repayment timing: Some loans require payments while in school; others offer grace periods Alternatives to student loans Scholarships: Free money for school; check your program and field Grants: Apply via FAFSA for federal and state need-based grants Payment plans: Offered by many schools to spread out tuition costs Employer assistance: Ask HR about tuition reimbursement Personal loans: Check whether the lender allows educational use Friend or family loans: Draft a written agreement if pursuing this route Credit cards: Avoid unless you can pay off a 0% intro rate quickly FAFSA-approved certificate programs list These programs typically meet Title IV requirements and are offered through degree-granting institutions. Always confirm with your school’s financial aid office. Practical Nursing Certificate – Wake Tech HVAC Certificate – Ivy Tech Community College Cybersecurity Certificate – Montgomery College Medical Assisting – Bunker Hill Community College Dental Assisting – Pima Community College Accounting Certificate – Salt Lake Community College Automotive Technology – Lone Star College Phlebotomy Certificate – Santa Fe College Welding Technology – Central Georgia Technical College Cosmetology Certificate – Houston Community College EMT Program – City College of San Francisco Digital Marketing Certificate – Portland Community College Electrician Certificate – Southern Maine Community College Business Office Technology – El Paso Community College Veterinary Assistant – Northern Virginia Community College Culinary Arts Certificate – Asheville-Buncombe Tech Child Development Certificate – San Diego Mesa College Graphic Design Certificate – Madison Area Tech College Construction Management – Fox Valley Tech Paralegal Certificate – Cuyahoga Community College Data Analytics Certificate – Community College of Philadelphia For the above list, we verified that:1. Each institution is Title IV-eligible2. Each program is offered for credit (not just non-credit continuing education)3. Each program meets duration and clock-hour requirements FAQ Can I get a student loan for a certificate program? Yes, but only if your program is eligible. Start with FAFSA to see if federal loans are available. Otherwise, private lenders may help if your program qualifies. Does FAFSA cover certificate programs? Only if the program meets federal aid requirements. It must be offered through a Title IV school and meet duration/credit criteria. Can I use financial aid for online certificates or bootcamps? Possibly, but most standalone bootcamps do not qualify for FAFSA. Some schools partner with bootcamps to offer eligible programs; check with your provider. How do I know if my certificate program is eligible? Ask your school’s financial aid office or search your program through the Federal School Code Lookup. Recap of student loans for certificate programs LenderBest forOur ratingDept. of EducationFederal student loansNot ratedCollege AvePrivate student loans5.0/5Sallie MaeCosigners4.8/5AscentSoft credit check4.4/5