Top Outstanding Student Loans for Global Learners in 2025
Here's a refreshed version of the article:
Student Loans for International Students: Top Picks of 2025
Ever wondered where to find the best student loans for international students? Look no further! This guide rounds up the top choices for 2025, covering various categories like overall performance, DACA students, loan types, high loan maximums, and more.
I. Best International Student Loans of 2025 – Overview
- Earnest: Standout for its competitive APRs, lack of fees, and excellent performance. Looks favorably on low-credit students too.
- Ascent: Perfect for students with minimal credit history, as it accepts applicants with a diverse range of credit scores. Ideal for those with hefty borrowing needs.
- Citizens Bank: Got high borrowing needs? Citizens Bank, with its highest loan maximums, is your go-to lender.
- Prodigy Finance: Known for its flexible repayment options and no cosigner or collateral requirements based on future earning potential. It supports students worldwide and emphasizes graduate programs.
- SoFi: Specialized in student loan refinancing, SoFi offers lower interest rates and long repayment terms. No cosigner required.
II. Top Student Loans for Specific Categories
A. Overall Performance – Prodigy Finance
- No cosigner or collateral required, focusing on future earning potential[1][4].
- Competitive rates starting at ~8.34%[4].
- Global coverage: Supports students at 1,800+ schools worldwide, specializing in graduate programs (business, engineering, law, etc.)[1].
- Flexible repayment: No prepayment penalties and grace periods tailored to program completion[1].
B. DACA Students
- With a cosigner: Sallie Mae® offers loans for DACA recipients with a creditworthy U.S. citizen/permanent resident cosigner.
- Without a cosigner: Ascent Funding provides non-cosigned loans for DACA students meeting residency/visa requirements[5].
C. Range of Loan Types – Earnest®
- Merit-based evaluation: Considers academic performance and financial habits[1].
- Flexible terms: Up to 10-year repayment and a 9-month grace period[1].
- Loan use: Covers tuition, housing, and other education-related expenses[1].
- Amounts: Up to $100,000[1].
D. High Loan Maximums – MPOWER Financing
- Lifetime limit: Up to $100,000[3][5].
- No cosigner/US credit history required[3][5].
- Fixed rates: 9.99–16.99% APR (with AutoPay)[3].
- Caveat: 5% origination fee and higher rates compared to competitors[3].
III. Mentions
- Ascent Funding: Accepts international students with eligible residency status or DACA recipients without a cosigner[5].
- Custom Choice: Offers a 2% principal reduction post-graduation (limited to U.S. cosigners in most cases)[3].
- College Ave: A strong overall contender but requires a cosigner for international students[5].
IV. Eligibility Requirements
Requirements for loans vary by lender and include admission to an eligible institution (varying by lender) and, in some cases, U.S. residency status or a Social Security number[5]. Prodigy and MPOWER excel in offering loans without traditional collateral/cosigner requirements[1][3][4].
- For international students seeking personal finance education and self-development opportunities, bootcamp programs like SoFi specialize in student loan refinancing, offering lower interest rates and long repayment terms without the need for a cosigner.
- In the realm of finance and investing, Earnest frequently monitors the performance of loans, particularly those for international students, demonstrating a preference for low-credit applicants and offering competitive APRs, lack of fees, and flexible repayment options.
- For those considering investing in education-and-self-development opportunities, Ascent has developed a niche in the market by providing loans to students with minimal credit history, with a focus on DACA students and offering hefty borrowing limits without the need for a cosigner.
- The ranking of top student loans for international students often includes MPOWER Financing, which offers high loan maximums up to $100,000, making it an attractive option for students with substantial borrowing needs without requiring a cosigner or collateral.
- When searching for student loans, it's essential to consider loan types, such as those offered by Citizens Bank, which boasts the highest loan maximums among popular lenders, providing a valuable resource for students with substantial education-related expenses.
