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What Is a Cosigner? How They Help With Loans and Credit

A cosigner can help you qualify for a loan if you have bad or no credit, but there are risks the cosigner should consider.

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By Erin Gobler

Written by

Erin Gobler

Freelance writer

Erin Gobler has covered personal finance for more than 10 years, with expertise on mortgages, student loans, and credit cards. Erin's work has been featured by Fox, Business Insider, GOBankingRates, Newsweek Vault, and CNN.

Edited by Renee Fleck

Written by

Renee Fleck

Renee Fleck is a student loans editor with over six years of experience. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Morning Brew, and Sidebar.io, among other online publications. She is fluent in Spanish and French and enjoys traveling to new places.

Reviewed by Richard Richtmyer

Written by

Richard Richtmyer

Richard Richtmyer is a senior editor with over 20 years of finance experience. He's an expert on student loans, capital markets, investing, real estate, technology, business, government, and politics.

Updated April 9, 2025

Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”

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