There’s a huge tech gap in the U.S. job market right now. Many people don’t have the skills to take on computer programming and other tech-based jobs.
Coding bootcamps hope to change that. These technical training programs typically last for eight to 12 weeks. By the time you complete the bootcamp, you should have all the skills you need to build web applications and take on a high-paying job in the tech industry.
That sounds great, but bootcamps can cost thousands of dollars. Student loans aren’t as readily available for coding bootcamps as they are for traditional college degree programs. Still, private lenders offer a few options for funding.
| Lender | Loan amounts | Rates (APR) |
 View Rates | $2,000 – $40,000 | Vary by school |
 Read More | Up to 100% of tuition | 0.00% – 30.37% |
Can student loans be used for coding bootcamp?
Most lenders require students to be enrolled at least part-time in a Title IV institution, and working toward a degree, in order to qualify for student loans. Because coding bootcamps do not fall into this category, everyday federal and private student loans are not typically available to these students.
However, there are a few lenders that will work with qualified students enrolling in a coding bootcamp program. Here’s a look at your options.
Federal financial aid for coding bootcamps
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced it was launching a pilot initiative called EQUIP, or the Educational Quality through Innovative Partnerships program.
EQUIP partnered with eight universities and non-traditional training providers to offer funding for non-degree programs. Eligible students could access the funds they needed for online courses, employee organizations, and coding bootcamps.
While the EQUIP program was well-received, it has been discontinued. There are no alternative federal programs for coding bootcamp student loans or other financial aid at this time.
Private loans for coding bootcamps
Since students aren’t eligible for federal student loans for coding bootcamp, they will need to obtain funding from private lenders.
But private student lenders typically require you to be enrolled full-time in a Title IV institution, so it can be hard to find student loans for bootcamp. These student loan lenders are an exception to the rule:
Ascent
Ascent Funding, LLC products are made available through Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent’s Terms and Conditions please visit AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 7/1/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount (ACH). The ACH discount consists of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/
The following examples for a $10,000 loan show a 48-month in-school period plus 9 months of grace prior to a full repayment term for 60-months (variable rate), with examples of (i) Interest Only payments, (ii) $25 Minimum payments, (iii) Deferred repayment, and (iv) Immediate Repayment options.
* Interest Only Repayment: 5.85% APR, with 57 payments of $48.75 while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $192.65 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $14,338.61.
* $25 Minimum Payment: 6.48% APR, with 57 payments of $25.00 while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $233.37 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $15,427.06.
* Deferred Repayment: 6.67% APR, with no payment while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $269.21 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $16,137.16.
* Immediate Repayment: 3.60% APR, with 60 payments of $182.37, and a total cost of $10,942.30.
The following examples for a $10,000 loan show a 48-month in-school period plus 9 months of grace prior to a full repayment term for 180-months (highest variable rate), with examples of (i) Interest Only payments, (ii) $25 Minimum payments, (iii) Deferred repayment, and (iv) Immediate Repayment options.
* Interest Only Repayment: 16.51% APR, with 57 payments of $137.5 while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $150.41 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $34,914.43.
* $25 Minimum Payment: 15.03% APR, with 57 payments of $25.00 while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $256.16 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $47,530.48.
* Deferred Repayment: 15.23% APR, with no payment while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $290.4 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $51,470.36.
* Immediate Repayment: 16.26% APR, with 180 payments of $148.68, and a total cost of $26,759.59.
- 4.09% to 16.09% APR
- $2,001 to $200,000
- Cosigned, non-cosigned, international, and DACA student loans
- 1% cash back with proof of graduation
Ascent provides financing solutions in areas where it is typically hard to come by.
While not technically a student loan—due to the fact that bootcamps aren’t Title IV institutions—a bootcamp loan through Ascent is the only option on this list offered through a student loan lender.
APRs vary by school, but Ascent offers several repayment options, including interest-only payments or deferred payments while you’re in school. You may also qualify for Ascent’s outcomes-based loan. If you do, you won’t make any payments until you receive a job offer.
Climb Credit
- Only provides funds to those who attend an approved school or program
- Complete an application in as little as 5 minutes
- Not available in Main
Climb offers funding for students in a variety of programs, including coding bootcamps. Climb Credit currently partners with more than 160 learning institutions like General Assembly, Flatiron School, Galvanize, and Coding Dojo.
You can use your Climb loan to cover both tuition and living expenses, even if you won’t be earning a degree in the end. How much you can borrow depends partly on the program or school you attend, and repayment periods usually range from 36 to 42 months.
Climb Credit offers rates as low as 0% and operates in all states except Maine.
Do bootcamps offer financing solutions?
Many bootcamps offer in-house financing for students who cannot afford to pay tuition upfront. The exact terms of these financing options will vary according to the individual school and program costs.
Bootcamps may also partner with national lenders, such as Ascent or Climb Credit, who will disburse the funds directly to the school.
To determine which financing option is right for you, consider cost, convenience, and access. Snagging the lowest possible interest rate will save you money over the course of the loan. Choosing a lender that offers the right loan repayment term can make or break your budget when it comes time to start making monthly payments.
You’ll also want to identify which financing options suit you best according to personal factors like your credit score and the availability of a cosigner.
Other financing options for coding bootcamp
If your coding school doesn’t offer financing or doesn’t work directly with one of these lenders, there are other options to consider:
- Income-share agreements: Under an income-share agreement, your tuition is waived while going through the program. When you land a job after graduation, you pay the school back with a percentage of your income.
- Personal loans: While personal loan lenders may not work directly with your school, they will still allow qualified borrowers to take out the funds they need to pay for any personal expense, including coding bootcamp.
Consider schools with a tuition guarantee
Some coding bootcamps provide a tuition guarantee. This policy offers to return your tuition payments if you are unable to find a job in your field after graduation. The rules of each school’s tuition guarantee will vary, but may require you to apply for a certain number of jobs each week or live in a specific area to be eligible.
About our contributors
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Written by Stephanie ColestockStephanie is an experienced personal finance writer with more than a decade of experience as a freelancer.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their pack of senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.