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College Loans

Private Graduate Student Loans for the Next Generation of Leaders

Pay for your masters, doctoral, or professional degree with or without a cosigner.

See Eligibility Requirements Check your rate without impacting your credit score.

Your graduate school loan options with Ascent

Cover up to 100% of your graduate school tuition and school-related expenses with an Ascent private graduate student loan (up to $400,000). Explore your graduate school loan options – non-cosigned options available.

Graduate Student Loan Benefits
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Ascent gives you more opportunities to apply for graduate loans with or without a cosigner so you can focus on your future, plus these additional benefits:

Choose between fixed or variable interest rates.

0.25% automatic debit discount for Ascent's Credit-Based Loans. Discount Terms & Conditions

5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 20-year terms (depending on the graduate loans you choose).

1% Cash Back Reward upon graduation.

Start payments up to 9-months after graduation, and if you need to make lower payments after graduation, consider our Progressive Repayment option.

Ascent offers tips and resources that go beyond student loans to help you thrive in school and after graduation.

Apply for Ascent’s Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loan, or apply to release your cosigner after 12 payments and meeting other criteria.
No application, origination, or disbursement fees AND there's no penalty if you pay off your loan early.
Check your pre-qualified rates in minutes without impacting your credit score.

Stay up to date with your student loan and make payments using our AscentConnect mobile app. Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Borrower Benefits Terms & Conditions

How to get your graduate student loan

You’ve already put a lot of work into preparing for graduate school. Getting the financing you need shouldn’t stop you now. We’ve streamlined our application process so you can get your funds without getting a headache.

  • Satelite
    Step 1

    Submit your pre-qualification

    We ask you to provide important information such as your name, address, date of birth, the school you’re applying to, and employment information. If you’re applying with a cosigner, they’ll also enter their information.

  • Astronaut
    Step 2

    Select your repayment plan

    Once your completed loan application is approved, you’ll be able to view your repayment options and select the loan terms that work best for you.

  • Clipboard
    Step 3

    Complete your Ascent portal task

    After you choose your loan terms, your Ascent portal will be populated with tasks to complete. These tasks include a financial wellness quiz and providing us with any additional information we need to prepare your loan.

  • Moneybag
    Step 4

    We pay your school

    When your portal tasks are complete, we send your loan for school certification. Once certified, we’ll disburse your loan directly to your school.

Ready to start your loan application?

See your rates today without impacting your credit score.

Apply Now
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More ways to pay for higher education with Ascent

Ascent offers additional ways for you to earn more money throughout the year. Expand your possibilities with our benefits.

What are others saying about Ascent?

Frequently asked questions about grad school

From your first application to your final payment, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way. Our 100% U.S.-based Ascent Customer Service team is here for you. Call us toll-free at 877-216-0876, email us at [email protected], or check out our top FAQs below:

Ascent is the leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success.
Ascent’s credit decisioning criteria is proprietary and subject to change, but you can check your pre-qualified rates without impacting your credit score. We consider credit history and several other factors including, but not limited to, credit score.

Ascent considers several factors which may include creditworthiness, school, program, GPA, and cost of attendance.

Ascent Graduate Student Loans are for graduate students that are at least half-time enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution.

Students applying without a cosigner must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents may apply with a credit-worthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Yes. Non-US citizens that meet certain eligibility criteria can apply for an Ascent Graduate Student Loan. Please see the required documentation and cosigner requirements below.

Permanent Resident

Required Documents:

  • Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (If expired, provide extension letter)
  • Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply as a solo applicant, or with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner

Temporary Resident:

Required Documents:

  • Unexpired VISA with an acceptable category as follows:F-1, F-3, G-1, H-1B, H-1C, H-2B, H-3, J-1, L-1, M-1, M-3, T-1, TN
  • Social Security Card

The following documents may also be submitted in lieu of a VISA and Social Security Card

  • I-20 Form (pages 1 & 2 signed) (if applicable)
  • Unexpired Passport from country of origin
  • *Temporary Protected Status:

Cosigner requirements: A U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner will be required with your application.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

Required Documents:

  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Card with your name and a C33 category code
    • If expired or in process we need a Form I-797, Notice of Action or written notice of DACA and employment
      authorization
  • Social Security Card

Cosigner requirements: You can apply as a solo applicant, or with a U.S Citizen or U.S Permanent Resident Cosigner

NOTE: The option to apply to release the cosigner after making twelve (12) consecutive full principal and
interest payments on-time or an equivalent prepayment amount while also meeting the other eligibility
criteria to qualify is only available to student borrowers that are U.S. citizens or have U.S. permanent
resident status or DACA status. (See FAQ, “Can I eventually remove the cosigner from my loan?”)

Yes. Ascent awards over $80,000 in scholarships every year. Enter for your chance to win our Shining Stars Scholarship in 3 easy steps – no essay required.

The maximum loan amount for an Ascent loan is limited to the total cost of attendance for a period not to exceed one full academic year, including any financial aid you receive, as certified by your school. Note: Your maximum loan amount may be less than the amount requested on your application due to the school certification or other underwriting factors.

  • Minimum: $2,001*
  • Maximum (aggregate): $400,000 for Graduate Loans
  • Student borrowers may borrow up to their institution’s cost of attendance as certified by the school and may not exceed the aggregate loan limits as stated above.

*The loan minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

Your interest rate on the loan is the cost you pay to borrow the money. Your monthly payment is based on the interest rate for your total loan balance. You can choose between a fixed rate or a variable rate.

A fixed rate means your interest rate will not increase or decrease while you are making monthly payments until your loan is paid in full. It will stay the same for the life of the loan.

A variable-rate means your actual interest rate could be lower or higher during your loan term than the rate you are given while completing the loan application.

Choosing a fixed rate versus a variable rate is entirely up to you but be sure to do your research beforehand on what will best fit your journey to financial wellness.

With federal graduate student loans, you borrow money directly from the Department of Education. To apply for a federal graduate student loan, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) application by visiting: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out.

Private graduate student loans help fill the gap between your expenses, including books, school supplies, rent, groceries, parking, gas, and anything else not covered by FAFSA or scholarships. Ascent offers flexible options to help you manage your monthly payments as you enter repayment.

Yes. It’s possible to get a grad school loan without a cosigner if you meet the requirements – you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have DACA status, have an income of at least $24,000 annually, and have at least 2 years of credit history, as well as meet a minimum credit score. The credit score required for a student loan varies, but you can easily check your rates and whether you need a cosigner or not.

When we send your loan disbursement, it’ll go directly to your school first. Your grad school will apply the loan to your tuition, then send any leftover funds to you.

You can use these other funds for your books, study supplies, or even rent and groceries.

Don’t see your question? Check our FAQ page.

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Contact us for help with graduate school loans

If you have questions or concerns about your graduate student loan application, don’t hesitate to contact Ascent. We’re available to assist you and provide clarification on the loan application process, as well as any additional information you need to help make your decision.

Fill out our contact form to reach our 100% U.S. based Ascent team.