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When Private Student Loans May Be Needed

Private student loans can help cover education expenses when federal financial aid, scholarships, and other resources do not fully meet your needs. They are typically used to bridge the gap between the cost of your education and the funding you have already secured.

Consider Federal Aid First

Â鶹ԭ´´ is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal student aid in all our degree programs. So, before applying for a private student loan, you’ll want to explore all available federal financial aid options. Federal aid—including grants, scholarships, and federal student loans—often provides more flexible repayment options and borrower protections.

Completing the (FAFSA) is the first step in determining your eligibility for these programs.

Understanding Private Student Loans

Private student loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. These loans typically require a credit check and may require a cosigner, depending on your credit history.

Interest rates, repayment terms, and eligibility requirements vary by lender. It’s important to carefully compare your options and review loan terms before selecting a lender.

Â鶹ԭ´´ provides a preferred lender list, developed through a review of lenders’ administrative capacity, repayment options, and student support resources, to help students begin their research. You are not required to use any specific lender listed and may choose any lender that best meets your needs.

• Covers Up to 100% of School-Certified Costs: Ascent loans can pay for tuition, housing, meals, textbooks, and more, up to the full cost of attendance.
• No Fees—Ever: There are no application, disbursement, prepayment, or late fees, so students keep more of what they borrow.
• Up to 40 Flexible Repayment Options: Ascent offers several repayment choices with loan terms ranging from 5 to 20 years.
• Cosigned and Non-Cosigned Options: Open to DACA & International Students: Ascent serves a wide range of students at more than 2,300 eligible schools nationwide, with cosigner release available after just 12 consecutive months of on-time payments.
• Cash-Back Rewards and Career Support: Eligible graduates can receive a 1% cash-back graduation reward, and all borrowers gain access to AscentUP, a career coaching, resume review, and financial literacy program.

• Multi‑Year Approval—One Application. Multiple Years: A unique solution that provides eligible students with loan approval for multiple academic years upfront without reapplying, providing proof of income, or undergoing another hard credit check.
• Cosigner Advantages with a Path to Release: Applying with a qualified cosigner may help you secure a lower rate, and you may be able to release the cosigner immediately upon graduation if eligibility requirements are met.
• Zero Fees, Flexible Repayment Options and Past Due Balance Support: No origination, application, or disbursement fees, plus flexible repayment options—including in school deferment, interest only payments, or immediate repayment - and support options for managing past-due balances.
• Interest Rate Discounts: Borrowers may qualify for a 0.25% autopay discount and an additional 0.25% loyalty discount with a qualifying Citizens account.
• Trusted Lender with Nearly 50 Years of Experience: Citizens has supported students and families for more than four decades with private education financing.

• A Simple and Clear Application Process: It takes only three minutes to apply and get an instant credit decision.
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• °ä´Ç³¾±è±ð³Ù¾±³Ù¾±±¹±ðÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³ÙÌý¸é²¹³Ù±ð²õÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý±·´ÇÌý´¡±è±è±ô¾±³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý´Ç°ùÌý°¿°ù¾±²µ¾±²Ô²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý¹ó±ð±ð²õ.
• Covers up to 100% of Your School-Certified Cost of Attendance.
• °ä³ó´Ç¾±³¦±ðÌý´Ç´ÚÌý¸é±ð±è²¹²â³¾±ð²Ô³ÙÌý°¿±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²õ: Full principal and interest, interest only, flat pay ($25 per month in school), fully deferred (no payment in school).