Student Loans

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2026 student loan changes

Several major federal student loan changes take effect July 1, 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Here's what borrowers should know:

Are student loans going to be forgiven in 2026?

No broad cancellation is in effect, but existing loan forgiveness programs remain available. Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness from the federal government remain tax-free under current IRS guidance. Balances forgiven under most income-driven repayment plans starting in 2026 will be treated as taxable income.

Take Out Student Loans

Whether you're an undergraduate, graduate student, or preparing for career training, we'll help you understand every step of the student loan process. Discover how federal and private loans work, how much you can borrow, and what to expect from different lenders before committing.

Start with the FAFSA to access federal aid before exploring private options. When federal funds fall short, LendEDU evaluates private lenders on rates, repayment flexibility, and borrower protections to help you find the best student loans for college.

FAFSA Guidance for Student Loans

FAFSA FAQ About Student Loans

Financial Aid Resources for Student Loans

Federal Loans and Private Student Loans

Federal student loans come from the US Department of Education and offer fixed interest rates, flexible repayment options, and access to programs like income-driven repayment and loan forgiveness. Most undergraduate education loans don't require a credit check, which makes federal aid the right starting point for most students.

Private student loans come from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms vary based on your credit history and the financial institution you choose, with both fixed and variable rates available. Private loans can fill the gap when federal aid won't cover higher education costs, but they typically come with fewer borrower protections.

Federal Student Loans Guidance

How Private Student Loans Work

Private Student Loan Lender Reviews

LendEDU's top-rated student loan lenders:

Other lenders:

Types of Private Student Loans

Scholarships

LendEDU reviewed 725 data points from 25 lenders and financial institutions, with 29 data points collected from each.

Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page.

Best Student Loan Lenders We Recommend

Here's a quick look at our top-rated student loan lenders. The tables below show key details for each, including fixed and variable APR ranges, minimum credit score requirements, and loan amounts, so you can compare offers side by side before applying.

Best Overall

5.0

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View Rates

Fixed APR

4.13% – 17.99%

Variable APR

4.13% – 17.99%

Funding

$1K – total costs

Min. Credit Score

Mid-650s

5.0

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Best for Fast Cosigner Release

4.8

View Rates

View Rates

Fixed APR

4.13% – 17.99%

Variable APR

4.13% – 17.99%

Funding

$1K – total costs

Min. Credit Score

Mid-650s

4.8

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Best for Outcomes-Based Loans

4.8

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Terms & Disclosures

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 06/01/2026 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/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.

View Rates

Terms & Disclosures

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 06/01/2026 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/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.

Fixed APR

3.39% – 14.46%

Variable APR

4.70% – 14.26%

Funding

$2K – $200K

Min. Credit Score

None

4.8

View Rates

Terms & Disclosures

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 06/01/2026 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/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.

Repay Your Student Loans

Federal borrowers have several paths forward, including income-driven plans, standard repayment, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying public service workers. Starting in 2026, new federal borrowers will choose between the Standard Repayment Plan and the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Private loan repayment is set by your lender and rarely includes income-driven options.

Learn about repayment plans, forgiveness options, solutions for delinquent and defaulted student loans, and strategies to stay on track with repayment and get out of debt faster.

Plan Your Student Loan Payoff Strategy

Navigating Student Loan Repayment Options and Plans

Delinquency and Default Consequences for Student Loans

Refinance Your Student Loans

Refinancing replaces one or more existing student loans with a new private loan, usually to secure a lower interest rate or roll multiple monthly payment obligations into one. Federal borrowers should carefully weigh giving up income-driven repayment eligibility and other federal protections before making the switch.

Looking to save on interest or simplify your payments? Refinancing could be the solution. Learn how refinancing works, when it makes sense, and which lenders offer the most competitive rates.

How Student Loan Refinance Works

Student Loan Lender Reviews

Student Loan Lender Roundups and Comparisons

Refinance Options Based on Your Student Loan Type

LendEDU reviewed 696 data points from 24 lenders and financial institutions, with 29 data points collected from each.

Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page.

Best Student Loans Lenders We Recommend for Refinancing

Below are our top-rated lenders for student loan refinancing. Compare fixed and variable APR ranges, repayment term lengths in years, and minimum refinance amounts to find the lender that matches your balance and payoff timeline.

Best for Comparing Refinance Options

5.0

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Fixed APR

3.99% – 11.09%

Variable APR

4.31% – 12.05%

Terms (Yrs.)

Varies

Refinance Amounts

Varies

5.0

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Best Direct Refinancing Lender

4.9

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View Rates

Fixed APR

4.49% – 9.99%

Variable APR

5.99% – 9.99%

Terms (Yrs.)

5 – 20

Refinance Amounts

$5K+

4.9

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Best for Customer Service

4.7

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View Rates

Fixed APR

4.88%+

Variable APR

4.86%+

Terms (Yrs.)

5 – 20

Refinance Amounts

$10K+

4.7

View Rates

Best for Defaulted Private Loans

4.4

Check eligibility 888-709-8709 View Rates

Check eligibility 888-709-8709 View Rates

Fixed APR

1.0% – 6.0%

Variable APR

N/A

Terms (Yrs.)

3 – 20

Refinance Amounts

$5K – $250K

4.4

Check eligibility 888-709-8709 View Rates