Student Loans for Culinary School

If you’re considering attending culinary school, you may need to finance all or part of your culinary education with student loans. Earning an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in culinary arts might range from $40,000 to $60,000—or more, depending on the school, program, and location. Culinary school tuition for a certificate can cost $20,000 or more.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 median annual salary for chefs and head cooks was $58,920. If you want to create foods that bring joy to restaurant patrons, federal and private student loan options can help finance your culinary career.

Lender	Best for	Our rating
U.S. Dept. of Education	Federal student loans	Not rated
Earnest	Large loans	4.7/5
SoFi	Member benefits	4.7/5
Ascent	Deferred payments	4.4/5

Can you get federal student loans for culinary school? 

When planning to pay for culinary school, make sure you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to check your eligibility for federal student loans.

Federal student loans offer benefits you may not have access to with private loans, such as:

• Income-driven repayment plans
• Student loan forgiveness programs
• Few or no credit requirements
• Automatic discharge if the borrower dies or becomes disabled
• Fixed interest rates 
• Forbearance and deferment options

No federal student loans are specific to culinary school. However, if you attend a school that participates in the federal student loans program, you may qualify for a student loan to pay for tuition and other school costs. Depending on the loan type, independent student loans don’t typically require a good credit history, minimum income, or a cosigner. 

You’ll begin repaying federal student loans after your six-month grace period once you graduate or leave school. So it’s important not to take out more loans than you need.

You’ll find details of the types of student loans available in the table below.

Loan	Rates	Fees	Loan limits
Direct Subsidized	6.53% – 8.08%	1.057%	$23,000 total (undergrad); $65,500 (grad)
Direct Unsubsidized	6.53% – 8.08%	1.057%	$57,500 total (undergrad);$138,000 (grad)
Parent Direct PLUS	9.08%	4.228%	Determined by school
Grad PLUS	9.08%	4.228%	Determined by school

The best private student loans for culinary school 

Our comprehensive reviews of the best private student loans for culinary school will guide you through top student loan options for competitive rates, flexible repayment terms, and unique benefits tailored to aspiring chefs. 

Earnest

Best for large loans

4.7 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

Earnest stands out for its borrower-friendly approach. It offers a range of flexible repayment options tailored to your financial situation. It provides loans that cover up to 100% of your education costs, making it an excellent choice for those needing substantial funding. 

Earnest also uses a merit-based lending approach, considering your earning potential and educational background rather than just your credit score.

• Flexible repayment options
• Covers up to 100% of education costs
• Merit-based lending criteria

• Requires a minimum credit score of 650
• No cosigner release option

Loan details

Rates (APR)	4.17% – 16.85%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years
In-school repayment plans	Deferred, fixed $25, interest only*, or full payment*
Grace period	9 months

Eligibility requirements

Enrolled at least half-time; live in any state except Nevada; be U.S. citizen or permanent resident (or have a cosigner with one of those statuses)

SoFi

Best for member benefits

4.7 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

SoFi is an excellent option for culinary students looking for student loans to finance their education. It offers competitive interest rates and charges no fees, making it a cost-effective choice for aspiring chefs. Culinary students can also benefit from SoFi’s unique rate discount when they enroll in autopay, which helps to reduce the cost of their loan further. 

If you’re a current SoFi member, you can take advantage of a loyalty discount, making it an even more attractive option for those pursuing a career in the culinary arts. SoFi’s extensive member benefits, including financial planning, can provide valuable support as you build your culinary career.

• No fees
• Autopay and loyalty discounts
• Extensive member benefits

• Requires good to excellent credit
• Limited repayment term options

Loan details

Rates (APR)	4.19% – 15.86%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% cost of attendance*
Repayment terms	5, 7, 10, or 15 years
In-school repayment plans	Deferred, interest only, $25 fixed, or immediate
Grace period	6 months

Eligibility requirements

Enrolled at least half-time; U.S. citizens or have other eligible status; age of majority in your state

Ascent

Best for deferred payments

4.4 _/5

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Why it’s one of the best

With its deferred payment options, Ascent offers unique flexibility. Students can delay repayment until after graduation, making the lender attractive for culinary students who may need time to establish their careers before starting loan repayment. Ascent also provides non-cosigned loan options based on future income potential.

• Deferred payment options
• Non-cosigned loan options
• Future income-based lending

• Higher interest rates for non-cosigned loans
• Strict eligibility criteria for non-cosigned loans

Loan details

Rates (APR)	3.79% – 15.85%
Loan amounts	$2,001 – $200,000
Repayment terms	5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 years
In-school repayment plans	Interest-only, deferred, or progressive* (reduced payment that increases over time)
Grace period	9 months

Eligibility requirements

U.S. citizen, permanent or temporary resident, or have DACA status; be enrolled at least half-time

What is the difference between culinary school loans and standard student loans? 

No federal or private student loans are specifically for culinary school. However, you may be able to use federal student loans or private student loans to pay for an undergraduate or graduate degree in culinary arts.

Federal student loans offer fixed interest rates that may be lower than private loans, especially for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. They also have repayment options such as deferment, forbearance, loan forgiveness, and repayment plans that may work better with your budget than private loan repayment. 

On the other hand, private student loans may offer higher loan limits, depending on the lender.

Our expert’s take on loan repayment during internships or apprenticeships

Erin Kinkade

CFP®

Unpaid internships and apprenticeships can be common in the culinary field. If you’re unsure how to handle loan repayment in this situation, start by consulting the financial aid advisor at your attending school if that’s an option. If not, I suggest establishing an emergency fund that covers all living expenses and liabilities for the average apprenticeship or unpaid internship. Of course, this may not be attainable for most students, so the second option is to talk with your loan provider to determine your options while not earning income. For example, forbearance, deferment, or income-driven repayment are available for federal loans. Some private loans mimic federal loan features to remain competitive, so I suggest looking for private loans that offer flexible repayment plans and contacting the lender as soon as possible. If you have access to a 529 account or other funds outside of savings, such as an investment account for yourself, a parent, or another family member, you could use the 529 account funds to pay toward student loans while you’re in the apprenticeship or internship. You could also consider using funds in your investment account or gifts from a family member to help you repay your loan during this time of no income. Finally, if allowed, you could get a part-time paying job to apply toward their loan balance.

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Find Out What Student Loans Can Be Used For

How do you qualify for student loans for culinary school? 

Federal and private student loans each have their own eligibility requirements. For most federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans, students must be enrolled in a degree-granting program and attend at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct loans program. 

For Direct Subsidized Loans, students must demonstrate financial need. However, Unsubsidized Direct loans don’t have that requirement. Private student loan lenders’ unique eligibility requirements vary by loan type and lender. Private lenders may require the borrower or a cosigner to have good credit. Private lenders are also likely to have fewer repayment plan options.

Below is a table with eligibility details for federal student loans.

Loans	Eligibility
Direct Subsidized	Must attend at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct Loan program and show proof of financial need.
Direct Unsubsidized	Must attend at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct Loan program. No proof of financial need necessary.
Parent Direct PLUS	Must be the parent of an undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct Loans program and have a good credit history.*
Grad PLUS	Must be enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a graduate degree or certificate at a school participating in the Direct Loans program and have a good credit history.

*Parents with adverse credit histories may still qualify for a Parent PLUS loan with an endorser who agrees to repay the loan if the parent can’t.

How to apply for student loans for culinary school 

To apply for federal student loans, follow these steps.

1. Make sure the school you want to attend meets the federal student aid program requirements on the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website. You can check by calling the school’s financial aid office. You can also look up the school using the Federal School Code Search on the U.S. Department of Education website to confirm it meets the requirements.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for different types of federal student loans. You can fill out the form online with an FSA ID or create an account for an FSA ID if you don’t already have one. The FAFSA form takes less than an hour to complete. You’ll need to provide information about yourself, such as your name and address, Social Security number, and contact email.
3. Wait to hear from your school. Once you submit the FAFSA, the Department of Education sends the form to the school’s financial aid office. The school determines the amount of the student loan and when to disburse the money.
4. You typically submit an application on the lender’s website to apply for private student loans. Once you apply, the lender will determine the loan amount you qualify for and whether you need a cosigner based on the lender’s requirements.

Our expert on the duration of culinary programs

Erin Kinkade

CFP®

Depending on the length of your program, you might be required to repay the loan sooner than if you attended a traditional four-year undergraduate program. Be sure you understand this timeline, ideally by speaking with the financial aid advisor at your school, and prepare a budget with the estimated monthly payment, knowing when it will begin. Of course, the strategy and repayment plan will not be one-size-fits-all; it will depend on your circumstances and financial resources.

Other culinary school financial aid resources to explore 

You may not need to finance your full culinary school education with student loans. Before taking out student loans, check into available scholarships. You may be able to find merit-based or financial-need-based scholarship opportunities. 

You can also find scholarships for culinary school at national organizations, including the International Food Service Executives Association and the American Culinary Federation. Some culinary schools may offer scholarships to attend. For example, the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) offers up to 20 scholarships for $25,000 each year. ICE also lists several scholarship opportunities from other parties on its website.

To lower your student loan debt, you may be able to pay for part or all of your education with loans or gifts from your parents or another relative.

FAQ

How much does it cost to go to culinary school in the U.S.?

The cost of attending culinary school in the U.S. can vary depending on the institution and the program length. On average, tuition for a comprehensive program ranges from $20,000 to $50,000. 

Some prestigious culinary institutes may charge even higher tuition fees. In addition to tuition, consider additional costs, such as books, uniforms, kitchen supplies, and living expenses.

Can international students get student loans for culinary school?

Yes, international students can get student loans for culinary school, but their options are more limited than those of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Some private lenders offer student loans to international students, often requiring a U.S. cosigner. 

International students might explore scholarships, grants, or financial aid from culinary schools or other organizations supporting international education.

Do student loans cover living expenses while at culinary school?

Yes, student loans can cover living expenses while attending culinary school. Federal and private student loans allow borrowers to use loan funds for various education-related expenses, including tuition, books, supplies, housing, food, transportation, and other personal expenses. 

Budgeting carefully and borrowing only what you need to avoid excessive debt is essential.

How we selected the best student loans for culinary school

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 student loans for culinary school

Lender	Best for	Our rating
U.S. Dept. of Education	Federal student loans	Not rated
Earnest	Large loans	4.7/5
SoFi	Member benefits	4.7/5
Ascent	Deferred payments	4.4/5