Student Loans for H4 Visa Holders: How to Study in the U.S. Even Without FAFSA Eligibility

An H4 visa allows spouses and children under 21 years of age to accompany those with an H-1B visa to the U.S. and remain with them for the duration of their stay. While this visa doesn’t allow dependents to work, they can study at college.

H4 visa holders aren’t eligible for to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but they might have other options for school funding, including private student loans. This guide explains how to get a student loan with an H4 visa.

Table of Contents

1. Student loans for H4 visa holders with a cosigner
2. Student loans for H4 visa holders without a cosigner
3. Types of student loans available to H4 visa holders
4. How to get a student loan as an H4 visa holder
5. Can H4 visa holders fill out the FAFSA?
6. Can H4 visa holders use other forms of financial aid?
   1. Scholarships
   2. Private student loans
   3. Personal loans
   4. Other options

Student loans for H4 visa holders with a cosigner

College Ave

Best for U.S. cosigners

5.0 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

College Ave offers private student loans that can be an excellent option for H4 visa holders, provided they have a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Borrowers are required to have a Social Security number, meaning College Ave is best for H4 visa holders who obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and spouses of H1B visa holders.

College Ave is known for its flexible repayment options, allowing borrowers to choose terms that best fit their financial situation. To reduce overall interest costs, borrowers can opt for deferred payments until after graduation or start making interest-only or full payments while still in school.

• Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Must have a U.S. Social Security number as a borrower
• You choose your repayment plan and term

Earnest

Best for graduate school

4.7 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

Earnest provides private student loans with a cosigner requirement, making it a viable choice for H4 visa holders who can secure a U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner. Similar to College Ave, Earnest requires borrowers to have a Social Security number, so it’s an option for H4 visa holders with an EAD and H1B visa holders’ spouses.

Earnest stands out for its flexible repayment options, including the ability to customize your monthly payment and loan term based on your financial needs. This level of flexibility can be beneficial for students who need to manage their finances carefully while attending school.

• Must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Borrowers must have a U.S. Social Security number
• No origination, application, prepayment, or late fees
• Check your rate without affecting your credit

Student loans for H4 visa holders without a cosigner

MPOWER

Best for no-cosigner international loans

4.6 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

MPOWER Financing is an attractive option for H4 visa holders because it doesn’t require a cosigner, making it accessible for international students without a U.S.-based cosigner. MPOWER provides loans designed for international and DACA students, with a focus on those attending schools in the U.S. or Canada. The loans come with fixed interest rates, and MPOWER offers various repayment plans to suit different financial situations.

MPOWER also provides additional support through career services and visa support, enhancing the overall value for students. Borrowers can benefit from interest rate discounts by enrolling in automatic payments and demonstrating academic progress. This lender’s commitment to supporting international students makes MPOWER a strong contender for H4 visa holders looking to finance their education without a cosigner.

• Students don’t need a cosigner to be approved
• Available to all international and DACA students from 190+ countries
• Offers free visa support letters and career strategy services

What types of student loans are available to H4 visa holders?

Only private loans are available to H4 visa holders. While most students apply for federal student loans before private loans, H4 visa holders are not eligible for financial aid. 

The Department of Education provides a list of non-U.S. citizens eligible for federal financial aid, and H4 visa holders are not included in that list.

Without the ability to apply for federal student loans, H4 visa holders will need to turn to private student loans instead. Not all private lenders offer student loans to H4 visa holders, but a few extend loans to non-citizens.

If you don’t have a U.S. credit history, you’ll often need a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify.

How to get a student loan as an H4 visa holder

The first step to getting a student loan as an H4 visa holder is finding a lender that accepts H4 visa holders as borrowers.

Once you choose a lender, the next step is gathering your necessary documents. When applying for an H4 visa student loan, you may need to provide your:

• Name
• H4 visa status and verifying documentation
• Address and phone number
• Date of birth
• Bank account information

As mentioned, private lenders extending student loans to H4 visa holders may require a cosigner. If the lender allows it, H4 visa holders’ spouse (or parent) may act as a cosigner.

If someone with H-1B visa status can cosign a student loan for an H4 visa holder, the lender may consider the cosigner’s employment history, income, and credit history, if applicable. These criteria are similar to what a lender would consider if a U.S. citizen is required as a cosigner instead.

Student loans for international students 

Several private lenders offer student loans to international students, but most don’t offer these loans to H4 visa holders.

According to 2023 data from OpenDoors, an information source on international students, around 19.7% of international undergraduate students get education funding through their current employment. 

And 0.2% get funding from a U.S. private sponsor, and 0.7% get funding from a foreign private sponsor. A foreign government or university funds 2.2% of international undergraduate students. The vast majority of students, 56.8%, get funding from family or use their own personal funds.

Learn more about student loans for international students.

Can H4 visa holders fill out the FAFSA?

No, H4 visa holders cannot fill out the FAFSA to get federal aid. It’s only for eligible noncitizen students. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Eligible students must fill out this form to get federal grants, student loans, or work-study funds.

The federal government has an online list of eligible noncitizens, but H4 visa holders are not on that list. Here are examples of people who are considered eligible noncitizens.

• U.S. nations or permanent residents
• Those who have an Arrival-Departure Record (1-94) that meets specific criteria
• Students or parents of students who hold a T nonimmigrant status (T-visa)
• Someone who is a battered immigrant-qualified alien
• Students who are a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Island, or the Republic of Palau (only available for certain types of financial aid)
• Some Canadian-born Native American students may be eligible if they meet the qualifications outlined in the Jay Treaty of 1794

Even though H4 visa holders cannot fill out the FAFSA, they are not ineligible for other types of financial aid. Here are some examples of other education funding options.

I suggest visa holders engage a financial counselor (either at the school you want to attend or from other outside sources, such as an AFC who specializes in this area). If you can obtain a loan, make payments per the agreed-upon terms, avoid taking out a loan for more than you need, and make on-time payments. 

Can H4 visa holders use other forms of financial aid?

Yes, H4 visa holders can get a few types of financial aid, such as school scholarships, private student loans, and personal loans.

Scholarships

Scholarships can provide financial relief for H4 visa holders who don’t qualify for student loans. These funds do not have to be paid back.

Whether you qualify for scholarships as an H4 visa holder depends on whether you meet the definition of an international student. If you’re looking for scholarships at the university level, the school may have a specific definition or set of criteria you need to meet.

Contact your school’s financial aid office to see whether you’re eligible to apply for scholarships. Research private scholarships online offered through nonprofits or private organizations. When comparing scholarship and grant options as an H4 student, pay attention to the following.

• Which visa statuses are allowed
• GPA and other academic requirements
• Available funding
• Application deadlines
• Any special requirements, such as enrollment in a particular degree program

Private student loans

As we mentioned, few lenders offer private student loans for H4 visa holders. However, Stilt is one that does.

Personal loans

H4 visa holders can consider personal loans to pay for college. Lenders offer personal loans to non-citizens who meet income and credit score requirements. 

Loan money can be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, and other supplies necessary to complete a degree. However, you’ll likely have to make payments while you’re in school.

Other options for H4 visa holders

Other education funding options H4 visa holders should consider are funding from a foreign government or foreign university, employer-sponsored education funds, and getting a personal loan from family.

How we rated the best student loans for H4 visa holders

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.