How Much Can You Take Out In Private Student Loans?

A pile of money - it begs the question how much can you take out in private student loans?College is expensive. On top of tuition and board, a student needs to worry about balancing funds for food, college activities and other extra spending. After scholarships and grants, student loans can at least help cover the cost of tuition. Most federal student loans have limits in how much you can take out, but what about the other option? How much can you take out in private student loans?

How Much Can You Take Out in Private Student Loan?

When it comes to private student loans, students can borrow up to the full cost of attending college (provided that students meet the lender’s borrowing requirements). When deciding how much they can lend to students, private lenders consider your credit history, income, and debt-to-income ratio. Additionally, the cost of attendance and their own lender’s limits are also considered.

Consider Private Loans A Last Resort Option

However, and this is important, just because you can borrow as much as you want to, it does not mean you should. In fact, it is advisable not to take out private student loans if at all possible.

Why are private student loans a last resort? Several reasons.

For one thing, private lenders charge much higher interest rates as compared to federal student loans. Secondly, you won’t get as much flexibility in terms of repayment plans. Thirdly, some federal student loans are offer forgiveness options, while very few private loans do.

Before you consider taking out a private student loan, you must first ask yourself if you have explored all your options.

Consider applying for a private student loan only if you’ve done all of the above and are still running short of funds to cover your college expenses. Make sure to do plenty of research on what the best loan option is to do. 

Sallie Mae logo.

3 Repayment Options

Variable rates from 5.54% - 15.70% APR with auto-debit

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How Much Should You Take Out in Student Loans?

That being said, most students still need to take out private loans to help cover what scholarships and grants don’t. Finally, after exhausting all other gift aid and federal aid options, you’ll need to find a private student loan that works best for you.

The key to avoiding crushing student loan debt is to borrow only what you need and nothing more. Loan companies advertise their loans to be quick fixes with little consequences when the reality is quite the opposite. Scholarships, grants, federal aid, and college savings help minimize how much you need to take out in private loans.

Try to borrow as little as possible, search for other sources of funding, and do plenty of research when selecting a student loan, and you can minimize your potential for debt, or otherwise make it more manageable.

The financial aspect of college can be both stressful and complex. For more information, check out how you can take out in private student loan with College Raptor!

 

Lender Rates (APR) Eligibility
Citizens logo.
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT CITIZENS
Sallie Mae logo.
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT SALLIE MAE
Credibe company logo.
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT CREDIBLE
Lendkey company logo.
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT LENDKEY
Ascent company logo.
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ASCENT
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ISL
Earnest company logo.
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT EARNEST
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ELFI
College Raptor is not a loan lender and does not assume responsibility for suggesting a loan to a user who may not be eligible for it. Rates, terms, conditions, eligibility, approval, and other considerations are the decisions of the lenders and may vary depending on which lender or marketplace the user selects. We urge users to carefully consider and review all loan options and terms before committing to taking out a loan.

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