Can I get a personal loan as a student?
Possible but limited. Students with verifiable part-time income, an established credit history, and U.S. residency can apply for personal loans, typically at smaller amounts ($1,000-$10,000). A co-signer with strong credit substantially improves approval odds and APR.
Context
Most personal-loan lenders require an established credit file and verifiable income to qualify. Traditional college students often have neither, which limits approval prospects.
A few options work better for student applicants: federal credit-union PALs (lower income thresholds, capped APR), Self or Kikoff credit-builder loans (no income requirement, low amounts), and student credit cards (Discover It Student, Capital One QuicksilverOne for Students) which build credit history rather than provide cash.
For education-specific costs (tuition, fees), federal student loans are the cheapest option in nearly all cases. They don't show up on credit reports the same way and have income-driven repayment options private personal loans don't offer.
- Reviewed by
- Compliance Review
- Last reviewed
- May 22, 2026
Ready to compare real personal-loan offers?
Two minutes. Soft credit check only.
Begin a request