International
student loans are private education loans offered by lenders to
international students attending universities in a foreign country
.
Unlike domestic students, international students studying in the U.S.
are generally not eligible for federal loans and must rely on private
lenders.
Eligibility for international student loans
Requirements can vary by lender, but generally include:
- University enrollment: You must be enrolled or accepted into an eligible, accredited college or university.
- Approved programs: Some lenders may have restrictions on the fields of study they will finance.
- Sufficient funds: Lenders may require evidence that the loan and any personal funds will be sufficient to cover the total cost of attendance.
- Visa status: You must have a valid student visa, such as an F-1 or J-1, to study in the U.S..
- Creditworthiness:
As an international student, you likely do not have a U.S. credit
history. Lenders evaluate creditworthiness based on your academic
record, career path, and the financial history of a cosigner, if
required.
Cosigner requirements
Most
international students need a cosigner to secure a loan because they
lack a U.S. credit history. A cosigner is legally obligated to repay the
loan if the borrower fails to make payments.
- Cosigner criteria:
The cosigner must typically be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
with a good credit score (often 670 or higher), a steady income, and have lived in the U.S. for at least two years.
- No-cosigner options: Some lenders, such as Mpower Financing and Prodigy Finance, offer loans to students at select schools without requiring a cosigner or collateral. Instead, they evaluate the applicant's academic achievements and career potential.
Interest rates and repayment terms
Terms for private international student loans can vary significantly by lender.
- Interest rates: Lenders offer both fixed and variable interest rate options.
- Variable rates:
These may start lower but can fluctuate over the life of the loan based
on a financial index like the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).
- Fixed rates: These rates are locked in for the life of the loan, offering predictable monthly payments.
- Loan amount:
Loan amounts depend on your chosen lender and academic factors, but can
cover the full cost of attendance, which includes tuition, housing, and
other living expenses.
- Repayment options: Most lenders offer options for when you begin repayment:
- Full deferral: No payments are required while you are in school.
- Interest-only: You make small, interest-only payments while in school.
- Immediate repayment: Both principal and interest payments begin immediately
How to apply for a private international student loan
The application process requires thorough research and preparation.
- Exhaust other options: First, explore scholarships, grants, and your university's own financial aid programs, as they do not require repayment.
- Research lenders:
Compare lenders that offer international student loans, paying close
attention to their eligibility criteria, interest rates, and repayment
options.
- Gather documents: Collect all required paperwork. This typically includes:
- Passport
- Student visa
- Proof of university acceptance (Form I-20)
- Official academic transcripts
- Proof of financial resources
- Cosigner documents (if applicable)
- Complete the application: Apply to your chosen lender, providing accurate and complete information.
- Review the loan offer: If approved, carefully review the terms before accepting the loan
Key features of MPOWER's international student loans
- No cosigner or collateral:
MPOWER loans are a viable option for international students who do not
have a U.S. or Canadian citizen to co-sign for them. Their lending
decisions are based on a student's academic performance and future
career prospects.
- Loan amounts and rates:
You can borrow between $2,001 and $100,000 for your education. These
are fixed-rate loans, which means the interest rate and monthly payments
will remain consistent throughout the repayment period.
- Loan coverage:
In the U.S., the funds can cover a range of educational expenses,
including tuition, housing, health insurance, and books. For students in
Canada, the loans can typically be used for tuition and other
university-invoiced expenses.
- No prepayment penalty: You can pay off your loan early without any extra fees or charges.
- Builds credit history: Making timely payments on an MPOWER loan can help international students build a credit history in the U.S..
- Application: This application is free. Do not pay anyone for it.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for a loan from MPOWER, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be accepted to or enrolled in an eligible degree program at one of the 500+ MPOWER-supported schools.
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student who is either graduating within two years or beginning a 1- to 2-year program.
- Be an international student, DACA recipient, U.S. citizen, refugee, or asylum-seeker.
The application process
MPOWER's application process is fully digital and can be completed from anywhere in the world.
- Check eligibility: First, you confirm your school and program are eligible. You can get an instant eligibility check online.
- Submit initial application: You will fill out an online application and submit it with a valid photo ID.
- Conditional offer: You may receive a conditional offer quickly, sometimes instantly, after submitting your initial application.
- Upload documents:
If you receive a conditional offer, you will then upload the required
documents, such as your admission letter, passport, and financial
statements.
- Final review and visa support:
MPOWER will verify your documents and issue a final offer. If approved,
they can also provide a visa support letter if requested.
- School certification and disbursement: MPOWER sends the loan to your school for certification before the funds are disbursed directly to the institution.
Repayment terms
- Interest-only payments: While you are in school and for the six months following graduation, you will make interest-only payments.
- Full payments: After the grace period, the principal and interest repayment period begins, which is typically 10 years.
- Interest rate discount: You can receive a 0.25% interest rate discount by enrolling in automatic payments
To apply for this loan and receive a $100 reward, use this link: https://app.mpowerfinancing.com/?ref_code=josexwdb .
Application: This application is free. There is no payment to apply, and do not pay anyone to apply for you. Check their requirement and approved universities before applying.
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#scholarship
#International Student Loan
#Study in US and Canada Student loan