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How do I qualify for a student loan?

Each lender has different requirements when it comes to qualifying for a private student loan. But typically you must:

  • Have a qualifying credit score (or a cosigner with one)
  • Have a qualifying income and debt-to-income ratio (DTI) (or a cosigner with one)
  • Be enrolled in an eligible education program
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident with a Social Security number
  • Be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent (or have a cosigner)
  • Use the loan for education purposes only