Best Student Loan Rates with a Cosigner in 2026 (Lowest APRs) USA
If you are applying for private student loans in 2026, adding a cosigner is the single most effective way to save money.
Most students don't have the credit history required to unlock the "advertised" low rates.
In this guide, we review the best private student loans with a cosigner, focusing on low interest rates, approval odds, and how quickly you can release your cosigner from the loan.
Quick Comparison: Best Cosigned Student Loans (Jan 2026)
| Lender | Best For | Fixed APR (Est.) | Cosigner Release? |
| 1. College Ave | Overall Best | 2.74% - 17.99% | After 24 months |
| 2. Ascent | Lowest Rates | 2.69% - 15.31% | After 12 months |
| 3. Sallie Mae | Easy Approval | 2.89% - 17.49% | After 12 months |
| 4. SoFi | No Fees | 3.18% - 15.99% | After 24 months |
| 5. Earnest | Flexible Terms | 2.79% - 16.49% | Not Available* |
(Note: Rates are for borrowers with excellent credit cosigners. Rates include AutoPay discounts.)
1. College Ave: Best Overall Experience
College Ave is our top pick for 2026 because they allow you to customize your loan to fit your budget perfectly. You can choose a loan term anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
Why it's great for cosigners:
Instant Decision: You get an answer in 3 minutes.
Release Option: You can apply to release your cosigner after 24 months of on-time payments.
Low Rates: Their starting fixed rate of 2.74% is among the lowest in the industry.
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2. Ascent: Best for Fast Cosigner Release
If your parent is worried about being stuck on your loan forever, Ascent is the best choice. They offer one of the fastest cosigner release periods in the market.
Why we picked it:
12-Month Release: You can remove your cosigner after just 1 year of payments (Subject to credit approval).
Non-Cosigner Options: If you eventually need a loan without a cosigner, Ascent has options for juniors and seniors based on GPA.
Cash Back: They offer a 1% cash back reward upon graduation.
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3. Sallie Mae: Best for Part-Time Students
Sallie Mae is a massive lender with high approval odds for students with cosigners. Unlike many others, they lend to part-time students and those in trade schools.
Key Benefit:
Smart Option Student Loan: You can choose to pay interest-only while in school to keep your debt from growing.
Short Release Time: Like Ascent, Sallie Mae allows cosigner release after just 12 on-time payments.
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4. SoFi: Best for Member Perks
SoFi is a "premium" lender. They are strict about credit scores, so having a cosigner with a 720+ FICO score is highly recommended here.
Why choose SoFi?
No Fees: Absolutely no origination, late, or insufficient fund fees.
Member Benefits: You get free financial planning and career coaching.
Discount: A 0.25% rate discount for using AutoPay.
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Why You Need a Cosigner in 2026
The difference between applying alone and applying with a cosigner is massive.
Without Cosigner: You might get denied or offered a rate of 12% - 15%.
With Cosigner: You could qualify for rates as low as 4% - 6%.
The Math: On a $30,000 loan, lowering your rate from 12% to 6% saves you approximately $10,000 in interest over 10 years.
How to Release Your Cosigner (The Strategy)
Many parents hesitate to cosign because they don't want the debt on their credit report forever. Here is the strategy to reassure them:
Choose a Lender with "Release": Pick Ascent, Sallie Mae, or College Ave.
Set up AutoPay: Ensure you never miss a payment.
Wait the Period: After 12-24 months, submit a "Cosigner Release Application."
Credit Check: The lender will check your income and credit. If you have a job and a score over 650, they will remove your parent from the loan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Does being a cosigner hurt a credit score?
Initially, yes. The loan will appear as debt on the cosigner's credit report, which might lower their score slightly by increasing their "debt-to-income" ratio. However, on-time payments will help build their history.
Q2: What is the minimum credit score for a cosigner?
Most lenders require a cosigner to have a score of at least 660-680. For the best rates (under 5%), a score of 740+ is ideal.
Q3: Can a retired parent be a cosigner?
Yes, as long as they have "Income." This can be Social Security, pension, or investment income. Lenders care more about steady income than employment status.
Final Verdict
If you have a willing cosigner, do not settle for high rates.
For Lowest Rates & Fast Freedom: Go with Ascent.
For Flexible Payments: Go with College Ave.
For Zero Fees: Go with SoFi.
Ready to save? Check your rate with a cosigner today—it doesn't hurt your credit score to look
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