Best International Student Loans of 2025: Compare Your Loan Options

More than 1.1 million international students studied in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange. However, while international students make up a significant part of the student population, they have fewer options when it comes to paying for college.

Federal student loans aren't typically available to international applicants. Instead, international students must rely on private student loans. If you have a U.S.-based cosigner, Sallie Mae offers some of the best private student loans for international students. Without a cosigner, MPOWER Financing could be a good option, though repayment options are more limited, and rates may be higher.

Current student loan rates

In this guide, compare the best loan options for international students.

How do international student loans work?

International student loans are private student loans available to international students through various institutions and organizations, such as banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Funds from international student loans must be used for qualified educational expenses, such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and necessary living expenses like meal plans.

Best student loans for international students with a U.S. cosigner

Why you can trust our Credible experts

The Credible editorial team is independent and unbiased. Partners do not influence our editorial content. To help you find the best student loan for your situation, we conduct thorough research and analyze thousands of lender data points. Using data-driven methodologies, we score criteria that are important to you. This allows us to objectively rank student loan lenders and products. To learn more, read our methodology below.

Methodology

To determine the best student loan lenders for international students, Credible collected more than 1,000 points of data on two dozen companies and evaluated them on several different categories: repayment options, eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings. Below are the weightings assigned to the general categories for the best student loan companies — which comprise individual criteria that are also weighted.

• Repayment options: 30%
• Eligibility: 25%
• Interest rates: 20%
• Loan terms: 15%
• Customer support: 10%

While the best lender for you will depend on your unique needs and financial circumstances, these findings should help answer your questions and assist you in your search for the best student loan.

Learn more about our methodology.

Who is eligible for international student loans?

Eligibility requirements for international student loans vary by lender, but you typically must:

• Be a non-U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient
• Be admitted to or enrolled at least half-time at an eligible U.S. college or university
• Hold a valid student visa
• Be from a country that meets the lender's eligibility criteria

Additionally, many lenders require that international students apply with a cosigner, who will assume responsibility if the loan is not repaid. There are typically certain requirements the cosigner must meet as well, such as:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Have an established credit history and meet the lender's credit score requirements
• Meet a minimum income threshold and provide proof of income

What if I don't have a U.S.-based cosigner?

Without a U.S.-based cosigner, your lender options will be more limited. One of the few lenders that doesn't require a cosigner is MPOWER Financing. However, its loans come with restrictions. You'll only have access to fixed interest rates and a 10-year repayment term.

To qualify, you must attend one of more than 400 eligible schools in the U.S. or Canada. While MPOWER can be a good option for international students and DACA recipients who don't have a cosigner, be sure to compare rates and terms before borrowing.

Credit score needed for international student loans

If you apply for an international student loan with a U.S.-based cosigner, lenders will evaluate your credit score when determining your eligibility and interest rate. Most lenders require a minimum FICO score of 670 to qualify, but a higher score can help you secure a lower rate.

The chart below shows the average prequalified rates for cosigners based on their credit scores, according to data from the Credible marketplace.

How to compare international student loans

Before applying for an international student loan, take time to compare your options. Look at eligibility requirements, loan amounts, interest rates, fees, and repayment terms to find the best fit.

Loan application process for international students

After prequalifying and selecting a lender, the next step is submitting your application. Most international student loans require a U.S.-based cosigner, so be prepared to include their information in the process.

While application steps can vary by lender, the general process includes:

1. Gather required documents: You'll need a copy of your student visa, proof of acceptance or enrollment at a U.S. college, a passport or other identification, and academic records. Most lenders will also ask for an estimate of your education and living costs, which your school must certify. If you're applying with a cosigner, they'll need to provide proof of income, credit details, and other financial documents.
2. Complete an application: Lenders generally offer online applications. Fill out all required fields and provide accurate information. If you're applying with a cosigner, they'll need to submit their details as well. Most lenders will run a credit check on your cosigner before final approval.
3. Finalize your loan details: Once approved, you'll choose your repayment term and review the final loan terms. After signing the loan agreement, funds are typically sent directly to your school.

Repaying international student loans

The repayment options available for international student loans will vary, depending on the lender. International student loans commonly offer the following repayment options:

• Immediate repayment: You'll start making loan principal and interest payments shortly after funds are disbursed.
• Interest-only repayment: You'll make payments only on the loan's interest while you're enrolled in school.
• Deferred repayment: You won't have to start making payments until you leave school, typically after a six-month grace period has passed. After that point, payments of principal and interest will become due.

“Planning ahead is crucial,” says Dennis Shirshikov, adjunct professor of economics at the City University of New York. “International students should stay informed about their loan terms, including grace periods and repayment schedules,” he adds.

“Setting up automatic payments can prevent missed deadlines, and monitoring exchange rates is important if repayments are made in U.S. dollars from abroad. It's also beneficial to establish a U.S. bank account to facilitate transactions,” advises Shirshikov.

Alternatives to international student loans

International student loans are not the only funding option for students coming from abroad to study in the U.S. Other options include:

• Scholarships and grants: You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to access scholarships and grants, which, unlike loans, are funds that don't have to be repaid. Look to private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds, and databases like InternationalStudent.com, which allow you to search for grants and scholarships for international students. It's also possible to find scholarships targeted toward residents of certain countries and regions.
• Work-study opportunities for international students: In some cases, international students may be able to access work-study opportunities through their university. Often, these are on-campus employment opportunities available only during the academic year. Still, payment for work-study can help cover costs related to school, as well as personal expenses.
• Financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities: While availability depends on the specific institution you're attending, some public and private universities and colleges in the U.S. offer funding to international students. These opportunities can be through scholarships, grants, fellowships, or assistantships.