Student Loans for International Students Without a US Credit History

Most international students arrive in the United States without a U.S. credit score.

They may never have had:

• A U.S. credit card
• A Social Security number
• A U.S. car loan
• A mortgage
• Any account reported to American credit bureaus

This makes traditional private student loans difficult to obtain.

However, having no U.S. credit history does not automatically mean you cannot get an education loan.

Some lenders focus on:

• Future earning potential
• University and degree program
• A U.S. cosigner’s credit profile
• Academic background

This guide explains the best student loans for international students without a US credit history in 2026.

Quick Comparison

Current lender availability, interest rates, supported universities, and eligibility can change.

Why Do International Students Lack US Credit History?

A U.S. credit history is built when financial accounts are reported to American credit bureaus.

New international students often have no U.S. record because:

• Their home-country credit history may not automatically transfer
• They recently entered the United States
• They have never borrowed from an American lender
• They have not held U.S. credit accounts long enough

Traditional private lenders usually assess risk using credit information.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that private education lenders commonly use cosigners because many students do not have a strong credit record. (consumerfinance.gov)

No US Credit History vs. No Cosigner

These are different problems.

No US credit history

You personally do not have an established American credit record.

However, you may still have:

• A U.S. citizen relative
• A permanent resident friend
• Another eligible person

who can cosign the loan.

No cosigner

You have nobody eligible or willing to guarantee the loan.

Students in this situation need lenders that assess the application without relying on a traditional American cosigner.

This distinction determines which loan options are realistic.

1. Prodigy Finance

Best for eligible master’s students without a US credit history or traditional cosigner

Prodigy Finance is one of the main current options designed around an alternative lending model.

Its no-cosigner loan program states that students may qualify without:

• Extensive credit history
• A traditional cosigner
• Collateral

The lender says its assessment focuses on future earning potential. (prodigyfinance.com)

Current published rate

Prodigy currently advertises eligible Fall 2026 master’s loans starting from:

10.69% variable interest

Individual rates may be higher and depend on the final assessment. (prodigyfinance.com)

Current 2026 representative example

Prodigy publishes a representative example involving:

• $40,000 amount borrowed
• 4.2% administration fee
• $41,680 total credit amount
• 11.99% variable interest rate
• 13.12% representative variable APR
• 180-month repayment period

Under those assumptions, the total amount payable exceeds $113,000. (prodigyfinance.com)

This illustrates why students should compare the total repayment amount, not only the amount borrowed.

Important 2026 availability warning

Current Prodigy availability is restricted by:

• Intake
• Country or region
• University
• Degree program

Its Fall 2026 page currently states that applications are open for Indian students and directs applicants to a specific supported-school list. (prodigyfinance.com)

Do not assume that every nationality, university, or degree is currently eligible.

Best for:

• Eligible international master’s students
• Students without a U.S. cosigner
• Applicants without extensive U.S. credit history

2. Ascent

Best for students without their own US credit history who have a creditworthy American cosigner

An international student may not have an established American credit profile but may still qualify through a cosigner.

Ascent requires international student borrowers to apply with an eligible cosigner.

The cosigner generally must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Meet minimum credit requirements
• Meet income requirements
• Provide satisfactory proof of income

(ascentfunding.com)

Ascent’s detailed cosigner requirements also state that the cosigner generally needs at least two years of qualifying credit history. (ascentfunding.com)

Current undergraduate APR ranges

As of July 3, 2026, Ascent publishes:

• Variable APR: 3.60%–16.51%
• Fixed APR: 2.69%–17.31%

(ascentfunding.com)

The lowest advertised rate is available only to qualifying borrowers.

Why Ascent matters for students with no credit history

The student’s lack of a long American credit record may be less of a barrier when a financially strong eligible cosigner supports the application.

However, the cosigner becomes legally responsible for the debt.

Missed payments can damage both the borrower’s and the cosigner’s credit history. (consumerfinance.gov)

Best for:

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students
• Students with a strong U.S. cosigner
• Applicants seeking fixed or variable rate choices

3. Sallie Mae

Best for international students already living and studying in the United States with a cosigner

Sallie Mae accepts eligible international students for several private education loan products.

International applicants generally must:

• Reside in the United States
• Attend an eligible U.S. school
• Apply with a creditworthy cosigner
• Have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

(salliemae.com)

Loan options include:

• Undergraduate loans
• Graduate school loans
• MBA loans
• Medical school loans
• Dental school loans
• Other eligible professional programs

Depending on the product, eligible students may borrow up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance. (salliemae.com)

Why Sallie Mae can work without your own strong credit history

A creditworthy cosigner can support the application.

However, this does not mean credit becomes irrelevant.

Instead, the lender relies heavily on the creditworthiness of the eligible cosigner.

Best for:

• Students already residing in the United States
• Undergraduate and graduate borrowers
• Students with an established U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner

4. MPOWER Financing

Historically one of the strongest no-US-credit options, but currently unavailable for new 2026 loans

MPOWER has traditionally focused on international students who may not have:

• U.S. credit history
• A cosigner
• Collateral

However, as of July 2026, MPOWER states:

It has reached its current funding capacity and is temporarily unable to offer new loans for 2026.

Students can join a waitlist. (mpowerfinancing.com)

What students should do

Do not rely on MPOWER for:

• An immediate tuition deadline
• Current visa proof of funds
• A university deposit

unless the lender officially confirms that new lending has reopened.

MPOWER remains worth monitoring, but it is not currently a dependable immediate funding source for a new 2026 applicant.

Can You Use Your Home-Country Credit History?

Sometimes, but not every U.S. lender uses foreign credit reports.

Possible alternatives include:

• A bank in your home country
• A national education loan program
• A local lender specializing in overseas study
• A loan secured by family income or property

A home-country lender may not require U.S. credit history because it evaluates the borrower using the financial system of the student’s country.

However, these loans may require:

• A local guarantor
• Collateral
• Family income
• Credit history in the home country

Students should compare them against international lenders before borrowing.

Can F-1 Students Get Federal Student Loans?

Most students who hold only F-1 status are not eligible for U.S. federal student aid.

Federal aid is generally available to:

• U.S. citizens
• Permanent residents
• Certain eligible noncitizens

Federal Student Aid states that applicants who are neither U.S. citizens nor eligible noncitizens do not qualify for federal student aid. (studentaid.gov)

This is why private and international education lenders play such a major role for F-1 students.

How to Get a Loan Without US Credit History

Step 1: Calculate your funding gap

Subtract:

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Savings
• Family support

from the total cost of attendance.

Step 2: Check no-cosigner lenders first

For eligible postgraduate students, check current Prodigy availability.

Step 3: Consider a cosigned loan

Students with a qualified U.S. cosigner can compare:

• Ascent
• Sallie Mae

Step 4: Check your home country

Local education loans may provide another route.

Step 5: Compare total borrowing cost

Review:

• APR
• Fees
• Variable or fixed rate
• Repayment period
• Total amount payable

How to Build US Credit as an International Student

After arriving in the United States, students may begin building credit through responsible financial activity.

Possible methods include:

• Using an eligible credit card
• Keeping balances low
• Paying bills on time
• Avoiding missed loan payments

Building credit takes time. It usually does not solve an urgent tuition deadline, but it may improve future financial options.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying only to traditional lenders

Many may require established credit or a strong cosigner.

Confusing no credit with bad credit

Having no U.S. record is different from having a history of missed payments or defaults.

Accepting the first approval

Compare APR and total repayment cost.

Ignoring the cosigner’s risk

A cosigner has real legal and financial responsibility for the loan. (consumerfinance.gov)

Depending on unavailable funding

MPOWER is currently not accepting new 2026 loans.

Which Loan Option Is Best?

Best without US credit history or a traditional cosigner:

Prodigy Finance, when your nationality, intake, university, and program are currently eligible.

Best with a strong US cosigner:

Ascent

Best for broad degree options with a US cosigner:

Sallie Mae

Best option to monitor:

MPOWER Financing

Final Thoughts

International students can get student loans without a U.S. credit history, but the right route depends on whether they have a cosigner.

Without a cosigner, current options are limited. Prodigy Finance may fund eligible master’s students using a model based on future earning potential rather than extensive U.S. credit history.

With a qualified American cosigner, students can also compare Ascent and Sallie Mae.

Before borrowing:

1. Apply for scholarships first.
2. Calculate the exact funding gap.
3. Check current lender availability.
4. Compare APR and fees.
5. Calculate the total repayment amount.
6. Borrow only what is necessary.

Having no U.S. credit history is a challenge, but it does not automatically prevent an international student from financing a degree.

Official Sources

• Prodigy Finance – No-Cosigner Loans
• Prodigy Finance – Fall 2026 Loans
• Prodigy Finance – Supported Schools
• Ascent – International Student Loans
• Ascent – Cosigner Requirements
• Sallie Mae – Private Student Loans
• MPOWER Financing – Current Loan Availability
• Federal Student Aid – Non-U.S. Citizen Eligibility
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Student Loan Cosigners