What Credit Score Do You Need for a Student Loan in 2025?

Not sure if your credit is good enough for a student loan? You’re not alone. While federal student loans don’t require a credit check, private lenders almost always do. In general, you’ll need a credit score of 650 or higher to qualify for private student loans without a cosigner.

This guide breaks down what score you need for federal, private, and refinanced loans—and how to qualify even with a limited credit history.

Table of Contents

1. Do student loans require a credit score?
2. What credit score do I need for a federal student loan?
3. What score do I need for a private student loan?
4. Requirements by private lender
5. Can I get a student loan with bad credit?
6. Can a cosigner help, and what score do they need?
7. What credit score do you need to refinance student loans?
8. Other private loan requirements
9. How to build your credit for student loans
10. FAQ

Do student loans require a credit score?

It depends on the type of loan. Federal student loans, such as Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, don’t require a credit check. That makes them the best option for most borrowers, especially undergraduates. However, private student loans require a credit check, and approval hinges on the borrower’s or cosigner’s creditworthiness.

What credit score do I need for a federal student loan?

You don’t need any credit score to qualify for federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans. Even PLUS loans, which check your credit history, don’t look at your credit score. Instead, they check for adverse events, like recent bankruptcies, foreclosures, or defaulted loans. If any appear in the past five years, you may need an endorser (similar to a cosigner).

Because federal student loans don’t have minimum credit score requirements, it’s smart to help work on your child’s credit score while they are in high school—for example, opening a credit card in their name for small purchases.

What credit score do I need for a private student loan?

Private lenders typically require a credit score of at least 650—and often 680 or higher—to approve a student loan without a cosigner. These lenders want to ensure you’re a responsible borrower, and your credit score helps them assess risk. If you have limited or poor credit history, adding a cosigner is often necessary.

Having student loans in your name helps establish credit history and diversify your credit mix. To build your score further, consider using a credit card for small, regular purchases and pay it off in full each month. Avoid opening too many accounts at once—too many hard inquiries can hurt your credit.

Credit score requirements by private lender

Here’s a quick look at minimum credit scores for popular lenders:

Lender	Minimum credit score
College Ave	Mid-600s
Earnest	665
SoFi	650
Ascent	580
ELFI	680
Laurel Road (refinance)	700

These minimums don’t guarantee approval but serve as a baseline.

Can I get a student loan with bad credit?

If your score is below 650, you’ll have limited options without a cosigner. Some lenders, like Ascent, accept scores as low as 580, especially if you’re in a strong academic program. But most students with credit scores under 650 will need a cosigner to qualify for a private student loan and should prioritize federal options first.

Can a cosigner help, and what score do they need?

Yes, a creditworthy cosigner can help you qualify and may even lower your interest rate. Most lenders prefer cosigners with a credit score of at least 670 and a stable income. A cosigner shares legal responsibility for the loan, so missed payments affect both of your credit scores.

What credit score do you need to refinance student loans?

To refinance student loans, you generally need a good to excellent credit score of 680 or above. Refinancing can lower your interest rate or monthly payment, but it turns any federal loans into private ones, meaning you’ll lose federal benefits like income-driven repayment and forgiveness programs.

Other private loan requirements beyond credit score

Credit score is just one piece of the approval puzzle. Lenders may also look at:

• Income and employment history
• Citizenship or permanent residency status
• Enrollment at an eligible school (usually half- or full-time)
• Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
• Field of study and graduation track

Some lenders also have loan limits based on your year in school or program type.

How to build your credit for student loans

If you plan to apply for private loans on your own, improving your credit first can help. Start by making on-time payments on any credit cards, keeping your credit utilization below 30%, and limiting new applications. Opening a low-limit card for small recurring expenses (like groceries or gas) can help you build credit without taking on debt.

To build strong credit, always pay at least the minimum on time and avoid maxing out your cards. Open diverse credit lines slowly, don’t close accounts unless needed, and show steady income. Your habits today shape your financial future—so borrow responsibly and monitor your credit regularly.

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Your credit score doesn’t matter for federal student loans, but it’s a major factor for private ones. Most borrowers need a score of at least 650, or a reliable cosigner, to qualify. Whether you’re applying for your first loan or refinancing, knowing the score range lenders want can help you prepare and get the best rates possible.

Student loan and credit score FAQ

What if I don’t have a credit score at all?

Most high school students don’t. That’s why federal loans should be your first stop. For private loans, you’ll need a cosigner unless you qualify with lenders that use academic data or income potential in place of credit scores.

Will applying for student loans hurt my credit?

Some lenders let you prequalify with a soft credit check, which doesn’t affect your score. A full application usually triggers a hard inquiry, which may cause a small dip.

Can a cosigner be removed later?

Some lenders offer cosigner release after 12 to 36 months of on-time payments. If not, refinancing in your name is the only way to remove them.

What’s the best way to monitor my credit score?

Use free services like CreditKarma or check with your bank. Most credit cards also offer monthly score updates.