
Sallie Mae is a well-known private student loan lender that has been operating since 1973. The company offers student loans to a variety of borrowers, including international students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. However, international students are not eligible for federal aid and generally require a co-signer with good credit who is a U.S. citizen to secure a loan. While international students can apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), it is intended for U.S. citizens and certain eligible non-citizens. FAFSA® can help determine what financial aid, such as grants and scholarships, can be received from the federal government or schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student loan provider | Sallie Mae |
| Student loan type | Private student loan |
| Student loan availability | Available for international students |
| Student loan amount | Minimum of $1,000 |
| Student loan repayment | Defer payments while in school |
| Student loan repayment period | 5 to 15 years |
| Student loan interest rate | Variable and fixed interest rates |
| Student loan interest rate reduction | 0.25% with auto-debit |
| Student loan cosigner | Required for international students |
| Student loan cosigner release | Eligible after 12 months of borrower payments |
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What You'll Learn

International students can get loans from Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae's international student loans can help cover the costs of undergraduate, graduate, or career training programs. The loan amount can be as little as $1,000 and go up to the cost of attendance at the school, with terms of between five and 15 years. Additionally, international students may be able to defer payments while they're in school, depending on the type of loan they get.
However, qualifying for a Sallie Mae private loan can be challenging for international students due to the requirement for a credit history. To overcome this, international students can apply for a loan with a creditworthy U.S. co-signer. The co-signer can be a relative, friend, spouse, or any creditworthy adult who agrees to share the responsibility of paying back the loan. It is important to note that the co-signer will be responsible for the loan if the borrower defaults.
Before applying for a Sallie Mae international student loan, it is recommended to compare it with other options, such as scholarships, grants, and federal loans. Additionally, international students should consider the costs of attendance, including tuition, housing, food, textbooks, supplies, health insurance, and travel expenses.
Sallie Mae's international student loans offer flexibility and can be a helpful option for international students seeking financial assistance for their studies in the United States.
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$116.52 $120

International students need a co-signer
International students can apply for loans from Sallie Mae, a well-known private student loan lender. However, qualifying for a Sallie Mae private loan can be challenging for international students due to the requirement for a credit history. To overcome this obstacle, international students can apply for a loan with a co-signer.
A co-signer is typically a relative, friend, spouse, or any creditworthy adult who agrees to share the responsibility of repaying the loan. As an international student, finding a co-signer in the U.S. can be difficult. It is important to consider individuals with good credit and the ability to demonstrate adequate income. Alumni from your chosen university with good credit may be an option.
While most private student loan lenders require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen, Sallie Mae offers a unique advantage by allowing co-signers to be released from the loan after the borrower has made 12 consecutive monthly payments. This feature provides borrowers with the opportunity to assume full responsibility for their loans after establishing a consistent repayment history.
It is worth noting that international students are not eligible for federal aid through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). However, it is still recommended to submit the FAFSA form, as some schools may require it to determine alternative sources of financial assistance. Additionally, international students should explore other options such as scholarships, grants, and savings to help cover their educational expenses.
In conclusion, while Sallie Mae does provide loans to international students, the requirement for a co-signer is essential for loan approval. International students should carefully consider their options and ensure they understand the terms and conditions of the loan before proceeding.
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Loans are for up to 100% of attendance costs
Loans from Sallie Mae can cover up to 100% of attendance costs, including tuition fees, housing, food, textbooks, supplies, health insurance, and travel expenses. The loan can also be used to purchase a laptop.
Sallie Mae is one of the biggest private student loan lenders and has been offering loans since 1973. It offers loans to a variety of borrowers, including international students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
International students may struggle to get a private student loan due to their lack of credit history in the U.S. However, this can be overcome by getting a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with good credit. The co-signer takes on responsibility for the loan, so if the borrower does not pay, the co-signer is liable. After the borrower makes payments for 12 consecutive months, the co-signer can be released from the loan.
Sallie Mae offers fixed and variable interest rates, with the option to get a 0.25% discount when signing up for auto-debit. The loan term can be between five and 15 years, and it may be possible to defer payments while studying, depending on the type of loan.
It is important to note that, as with any loan, borrowers should only take out what they can afford to pay back. They should also consider federal financial aid and scholarships before turning to private student loans.
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Sallie Mae offers fixed and variable rates
Sallie Mae is a well-known private student loan lender that has been operating since 1973. The company offers student loans to a variety of borrowers, including international students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
Qualifying for a Sallie Mae private loan can be challenging for international students due to the requirement of a credit history. However, it is possible to obtain a loan with the help of a creditworthy U.S. co-signer. This individual shares the responsibility of repaying the loan and can be challenging to find.
Sallie Mae offers both fixed and variable interest rates for its student loans. A fixed interest rate remains constant throughout the repayment period, providing predictable monthly payments. On the other hand, a variable interest rate can fluctuate based on market conditions, resulting in potential increases or decreases in monthly payments.
The advertised APRs for undergraduate student loans assume a $10,000 loan for a student attending school for four years with no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. The interest rates for variable-rate loans may change over time, while the fixed rates remain constant. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option, and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period.
Borrowers or co-signers can enrol in auto-debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount. This benefit applies only during active repayment when the designated amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorised bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
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Loans are for undergrad, grad, and career training
Sallie Mae offers private student loans to a variety of borrowers, including international students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. These loans are available for undergraduate, graduate, and career training purposes.
For undergraduate students, Sallie Mae provides private loans to cover the cost of attendance at the school. Last year, 91% of Sallie Mae undergraduate loans were co-signed. A co-signer can help improve the chances of approval and secure a lower interest rate. However, it is important to note that the co-signer becomes responsible for the loan if the borrower fails to pay.
Graduate students can apply for federal and private loans through Sallie Mae. The company offers graduate student loans designed for specific degrees, including medical school, dental school, law school, MBA programs, and health professions. They also provide a graduate school loan for humanities, sciences, and other degrees. With Sallie Mae, graduate students can receive up to 100% of their school fees covered each year, including miscellaneous personal expenses for students enrolled at least half-time.
Sallie Mae also offers loans for career training. These loans are intended for professional training or certificate courses, such as culinary, aviation, and technical fields. The loan amounts can range from as little as $1,000 up to the cost of attendance at the school. Additionally, borrowers may have the option to defer payments while they are still in school, depending on the loan type.
It is important to carefully consider the terms and conditions of Sallie Mae's loan products and compare them with other lenders before making a decision.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sallie Mae does offer student loans to international students.
International students must have a co-signer to get a loan from Sallie Mae. This is because most international students have limited income and little to no credit history. The co-signer must be a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is willing to share the responsibility of paying back the loan.
The loan terms vary depending on the type of loan. The loan amount can be as little as $1,000 and go up to the cost of attendance at the school. The repayment period can range from five to 15 years. Additionally, international students may be able to defer payments while they are still in school.
Yes, international students can explore other options such as scholarships, grants, and private student loans from other lenders. It is recommended to consider savings, scholarships, grants, and other forms of "free money" before taking out a private student loan.


































