Can You Get Student Loans Without a High School Diploma or GED? Yes, Here’s How

Getting student loans without a high school diploma or GED isn’t easy—but it is possible. Whether you can qualify depends on the type of loan you’re applying for and how you demonstrate your ability to succeed in college.

Federal student loans typically require a diploma or GED, but there are exceptions if you meet certain criteria. Private student loans, on the other hand, may be more flexible but often come with stricter credit or income requirements—and generally fewer borrower protections. Here’s everything to know so you can choose the best option for you.

Table of Contents

1. Can you go to college without a high school diploma?
2. Can you get financial aid without a high school diploma or ged?
3. Can you get private student loans without a high school diploma or GED?
4. How to pay for your college degree if you didn’t graduate high school
5. FAQ

Can you go to college without a high school diploma?

Yes, it’s possible to attend college without a high school diploma, though your options may be more limited. Some community colleges, vocational programs, and online schools accept students who haven’t earned a diploma or GED, especially if they meet alternative admissions criteria.

However, getting financial aid—particularly federal student loans—can be more complicated. If you’re planning to apply for federal aid, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility standards, which we’ll cover more next.

Can you get financial aid without a high school diploma or ged?

Yes, you can—but only under specific conditions. To qualify for federal student aid without a high school diploma or GED, you must enroll in an eligible career pathway program and meet the Ability to Benefit (ATB) requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education.

What is a career pathway program?

An eligible career pathway program (ECPP) combines postsecondary education with services that help students build skills and transition into the workforce. Career pathway programs are typically offered at community colleges and vocational schools, covering areas like medical assisting, welding, or automotive technology.

Contact your school’s financial aid office to confirm program eligibility and schedule any required testing.

How ATB works: 3 paths to qualify for federal aid

Once you’re enrolled in a qualifying program, you can establish your eligibility for federal aid in one of three ways:

ATB option	How it works
Pass an approved ATB test	Take and pass a Department of Education–approved test that shows you have the ability to benefit from college-level education.
Complete 6 credit hours (or 225 clock hours)	Successfully finish at least six credits or 225 clock hours applicable toward a degree or certificate before receiving aid.
State process	Complete a state-defined process that’s been approved by the Secretary of Education (this option is less commonly available).

⚠️ Important: You won’t be eligible for federal financial aid until you’ve completed one of these three steps.

Other federal aid requirements

Even with ATB, you still need to meet the general criteria for federal student aid, including:

• Demonstrated financial need (for need-based aid)
• U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status
• Valid Social Security number (with some exceptions)
• Acceptance into an eligible degree or certificate program
• At least half-time enrollment
• Satisfactory academic progress in college
• No default on federal student loans
• Proof of academic readiness (via diploma, GED, homeschool, or ATB)

To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You can learn more about student loan eligibility in our federal and state student loan guide.

Can you get private student loans without a high school diploma or GED?

Yes, you can get private student loans without a high school diploma or GED from certain lenders, including those listed below. 

Here’s how eligibility requirements compare at seven top private student loan lenders:

Lender	Eligible without diploma/GED?	Other reqs
Ascent	✅	2 years of credit history, $24,000 annual income
Citizens Bank	✅	Must attend 4-year school
College Ave	✅	Credit score in the mid-600s
Credible	✅	May need cosigner
Earnest	✅	Min. 650 credit score, $35,000 annual income
Sallie Mae	✅	Likely need cosigner
SoFi	✅	Must attend 4-year school

Individual lenders—rather than the federal government—offer private student loans. You can get private student loans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Each lender decides its eligibility requirements and whether you need a high school diploma or GED to qualify.

Other criteria lenders may consider include:

• Enrollment status (half-time, full-time, or part-time)
• Which school you’re attending
• Your choice of degree program
• Credit scores and credit history
• Income and debt
• Career plans
• Citizenship status

If you’re considering private student loans, shopping around to compare loan terms, rates, fees, and qualification criteria is essential. 

Remember: With private lenders, your credit history tends to carry more weight than any other factor. If you have a limited credit history or are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may need to apply for loans with a cosigner. 

Getting student loans with a cosigner could help your chances of approval and result in lower interest rates. However, it’s important to remember that you and the cosigner are equally responsible for the debt in the lender’s eyes. 

Some private student loan lenders offer cosigner release if you meet certain repayment and credit requirements. Before you apply, check with each lender to see whether cosigner release is available.

How to pay for a college degree without a high school diploma or GED

If you don’t have a high school diploma or GED and think you’ll need student loans to pay for college, consider taking the following steps to increase your chances of getting approved.

1. Contact your school of choice

Contact the financial aid and admissions offices first to determine your options. The school can inform you how to qualify for loans before you plan to enroll—by taking a state-approved test, for example. It may also offer grants, scholarships, or other programs to help cut costs.

2. Research nontraditional schools 

If you’re not enrolled anywhere, you may need to apply to a college that’s likely to accept you without a diploma or GED, such as the University of California, the American Public University System, or Southern Technical College. These schools may be much cheaper to attend. 

3. Decide on the loan you’d like

The next step is evaluating which type of loans you want to apply for. Federal loans are an excellent place to start because they offer fixed interest rates and include built-in protections you don’t get with private student loans, such as potential loan forgiveness. 

You could qualify for federal loans by:

• Earning a diploma or GED
• Obtaining a high school equivalency certification from your home school, if applicable
• Exploring the ability-to-benefit path

4. Consider taking the GED

If you can invest the time and money, a GED or other state-equivalent test might be the easiest solution. If you pass, you now have more opportunities, including a wider list of schools and scholarships you can apply to.

Cost of a GED

The test costs from $4 to $50 per subject, with four subjects total (math, language arts, social studies, and science). The cost depends on your state and whether you opt to take the test at a testing center in person or online from home. 

Arkansas is among the most affordable states for in-person testing, at just $4 per subject. And in Alaska, Connecticut, Kentucky, Nebraska, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia, you can take the GED for free.

Your employer might also offer free GED preparation and testing through GEDWorks. You can create an account at GED.com to determine whether your employer participates. 

If you’re paying for test prep, a course or practice test might cost anywhere from $5 to $300, and study guides can run from $15 to $130. When you’re ready to take your GED, schedule your test online.

Can you get financial aid for the GED?

Federal student aid doesn’t cover the cost of preparing for or taking the GED. However, some states, nonprofit programs, and employers may offer free GED classes, vouchers, or reimbursement. You can also check with local adult education centers or visit GED.com to see if you qualify for financial assistance.

How long does it take to get a GED?

Each subject test should take around two hours. You don’t need to take all four subject tests at once, but if you do, the test should take seven to eight hours. 

How much study time you dedicate can depend on your schedule and how well you think you know the subject areas. It’s not uncommon for students to spend two to three months preparing.

FAQ

Can you fill out the FAFSA without a GED?

Yes, you can fill out the FAFSA without a GED. To be eligible for federal student aid, you must have a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as a GED, or meet alternative criteria. If you don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you can still qualify for federal student aid by completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law. 

If you were enrolled in college or a career school before July 1, 2012, you can qualify by passing an approved ATB test or completing six credit hours or equivalent coursework toward a degree or certificate.

Can you get financial aid for non-degree-seeking college study?

Federal financial aid is generally unavailable for students not enrolled in a degree or certificate program. To qualify for federal financial aid, you must enroll in an eligible program at a participating institution and work toward a degree or certificate. 

However, there are some exceptions. For instance, you might be eligible for financial aid if you are taking prerequisite courses required for admission to a degree program or if you are enrolled in a teacher certification program.

What disqualifies you from the FAFSA?

You can be disqualified from getting federal financial aid through the FAFSA for several reasons. These include defaulting on a federal student loan, which makes you ineligible until the default is resolved, and certain drug convictions, though eligibility may be regained through an approved rehabilitation program. 

Noncitizen status, incarceration, and failure to register with the Selective Service (for men between 18 and 25) can also affect your eligibility. Failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school can disqualify you from aid. Understanding these factors is crucial to maintaining your eligibility for federal financial assistance.

Can you get a Pell Grant without a high school diploma?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances. You can qualify for a Pell Grant without a high school diploma if you enroll in an eligible career pathway program and meet the Ability to Benefit (ATB) requirements—such as passing an approved test or completing 6 college credits. Otherwise, you’ll need a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent to be eligible.

How we chose the best private student loans if you don’t have a diploma or GED

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.