International students can take out student loans in the U.S., but only through private lenders. Federal loans, Pell Grants, and work-study are limited by law to U.S. citizens and a narrow set of eligible noncitizens, so anyone in the country on an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa has to borrow privately.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 20 USC 1091 – Student Eligibility Most private lenders want a U.S.-based co-signer. A smaller group will lend without one, judging you instead on your school, program, and future earnings.
Why Federal Aid Isn’t an Option on a Student Visa
If you’re in the U.S. on a temporary student visa, you don’t qualify for any federal student aid program. Federal aid is reserved for citizens and specific immigration categories, mainly permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, people granted asylum, certain parolees, and a handful of humanitarian statuses.2Federal Student Aid. Eligible Non-Citizen DACA recipients also can’t access federal loans, grants, or work-study, though some states and schools run their own aid programs for them.3Federal Student Aid. Undocumented Students and Financial Aid
Filing a FAFSA won’t help if you’re on a study visa. Private lenders are the path.
Private Loans With a U.S. Co-Signer
Most private lenders that work with international students require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. That person is legally on the hook for the debt if you stop paying, and the lender will look at their credit history, income, and existing debts when deciding whether to approve you. A co-signer with strong credit and steady income generally gets you a lower rate.
Rates vary a lot. As of early 2026, fixed rates from major private lenders for international students generally run from roughly 4% to 17%, and variable rates cover a similar spread. Autopay discounts and a co-signer with excellent credit push you toward the low end.
Some lenders let you release a co-signer later, once you’ve made a set number of on-time payments and can pass a credit review on your own. The terms differ by lender and some don’t offer release at all, so read the loan agreement before signing.4Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If I Co-Signed for a Private Student Loan, Can I Be Released From the Loan
Private Loans Without a Co-Signer
If you don’t have anyone in the U.S. who can co-sign, a few lenders will still work with you. Instead of pulling a U.S. credit history, they look at where you’re enrolled, what you’re studying, and how much you’re likely to earn after you graduate.
MPOWER Financing lends to students from over 200 countries at more than 500 schools across the U.S. and Canada, weighing university reputation and course of study.5MPOWER Financing. No-Cosigner Loans for International Students Prodigy Finance funds graduate students at supported programs without collateral, a co-signer, or a guarantor.6Prodigy Finance. Am I Eligible for a Loan
These programs skew toward graduate degrees, particularly in business, engineering, and technology, where earning prospects are strong. Your school has to be on the lender’s approved list, and program availability can shift with market conditions, so confirm eligibility directly with the lender before you count on it.
What You Need to Apply
Private applications ask for identity documents and proof that you’re actually enrolled. Have the following ready:
- A valid passport.
- Your current student visa: usually F-1 (academic), J-1 (exchange), or M-1 (vocational).
- A Social Security Number or an ITIN. If you don’t have an SSN, you can apply for an ITIN by filing Form W-7 with the IRS.7Internal Revenue Service. About Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Proof of enrollment: Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), showing your school, program, cost, and dates. The school must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
- Co-signer paperwork, if you’re using one: their proof of income, residency, and ID.
When the application asks about your status, select noncitizen or foreign national. Inaccurate answers can delay processing or trigger a denial.
How the Money Reaches You
Once you submit the application, the lender contacts your school’s financial aid office to certify the loan. The office confirms you’re enrolled and that the loan amount doesn’t exceed your total cost of attendance, which covers tuition, fees, housing, meals, and required supplies.8Federal Student Aid Handbook. Cost of Attendance Budget – 2025-2026 Federal Student Aid Handbook
After certification, the lender sends funds straight to your school’s bursar. Tuition and fees come out first. Anything left over is passed to you for housing, books, and other living costs.
Most private lenders let you defer full payments while you’re enrolled at least half time. After graduation or dropping below half time, you typically get a grace period, often six months, before full repayment starts. Some lenders require interest-only payments in the meantime, so check your specific loan agreement.
Repaying After Graduation
What you can earn after graduation depends on your visa. F-1 students are generally eligible for Optional Practical Training, which allows up to 12 months of work in your field, or up to 36 months total for STEM graduates. OPT income lets you start chipping away at the loan right after you finish your degree.
If you move from OPT to an H-1B, a steady U.S. job and a growing credit history can make you a candidate for refinancing at a lower rate. Refinancing lenders generally want to see a valid visa, employment, and a credit record. MPOWER and similar lenders look more closely at visa status and job than at credit score.
If You Leave the U.S.
Going home doesn’t cancel the loan. Payments remain due and interest keeps accruing wherever you live. If you stop paying, the lender pursues your co-signer first. The lender can also seek a U.S. court judgment against you, which can reach any U.S. bank accounts or future earnings if you return. Enforcing that judgment in another country is a separate legal process under local law, but defaulting will still wreck your U.S. credit and put your co-signer in a bad spot.
If you know you’ll be abroad after graduation, arrange international payments with your lender before you leave. Wire transfers and payments from foreign bank accounts are common options.
Look at Scholarships and Home-Country Funding First
Before you borrow, check what you don’t have to pay back. U.S. universities offer merit scholarships, graduate assistantships, and fellowship stipends to international students, and graduate aid tends to be more available than undergraduate awards. Contact your school’s financial aid office early to see what you might qualify for.
Your own country may also fund study in the U.S. Some governments sponsor students at accredited American schools, occasionally in exchange for a commitment to return home after graduation. Your country’s ministry of education, or the equivalent, is the place to ask.