Private Student Loans for Students Who Need a
Second Chance.
Our program is built to help students like you stay on track to graduation with a simple application.
Our Products.
Undergraduate Student Loans
For juniors and seniors working toward their bachelor’s degree
Graduate Student Loans
For students seeking loans for MBA, law, medical, dental, health professions, and master’s/ doctorate degrees
Simple Application
Our simple, digital application process will give you a decision in less than 15 minutes
Over 2000 Schools
We support undergraduate and graduate programs from over 2000 schools across the country
Second Chances
Our unique underwriting has expanded eligibility so even students that have been declined by other lenders may get a second chance at approval
Flexible Repayment Options
While in school you can choose from a variety of repayment options: Interest only, $25 fixed or no payments 3
Cosigner Support
We make it easy for you to apply with a cosigner to maximize your chances of being approved for a loan
Cover More Than Tuition
GradBridge funds all cost of attendance expenses, including tuition, housing/rent, food, books and supplies
Each year, over a million students are declined for private student loans due to narrowly missing traditional lender’s credit requirements. 2
GradBridge offers a second chance with a second look loan.
How to fund
Your Education.
When it comes to paying for college, most students consider a mix of federal and private student loans. Here’s a quick overview to help you understand how they differ — and how GradBridge fits in.
Maximize free money and federal student loans
Private loans are a good source for gap funding
Where
GradBridge
comes in
Maximize free money and federal student loans
Federal loans are offered by the U.S. Department of Education and are typically a first stop for students and families. They come with:
- No credit check for most undergraduate borrowers
- Fixed interest rates set by the government
- Income-driven repayment plans and deferment options
- Some loans available to ALL students regardless of need
These loans are a great option, but they often don’t cover the full cost of attendance, leaving a gap.
Private loans are a good source for gap funding
Private loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and lenders like GradBridge. They help fill the gap when federal aid isn’t enough. Private loans:
- Are credit-based, so approval depends on credit history (often requiring a cosigner for undergrads)
- Offer variable or fixed interest rates, based on credit and lender policies
- Do not offer income-based repayment or loan forgiveness
- Offer flexible repayment options
Tip: Apply with a cosigner to increase your chance of approval and perhaps get a better rate.
Where
GradBridge
comes in
Where GradBridge Comes In:
GradBridge offers second-look private student loans to students who just miss traditional approval criteria. We provide a path to funding when federal aid isn’t enough and when other lenders say no — helping students stay enrolled and on track to graduate.
- Expanded credit criteria beyond what most private lenders offer
- Flexible repayment options
- Cosigner loan support
What expenses are covered by
Your Loan?
Your GradBridge loan can be used to cover school-certified cost of attendance expenses.
Typically Includes:
- Tuition and academic fees
- On-campus or off-campus housing
- Rent, utilities, and groceries
- Meal plans or dining expenses
- Books, supplies, and lab materials
- A computer, software, or academic equipment
- Transportation and commuting costs
- Required study-abroad program expenses
Doesn't Include:
- Non-educational travel or vacations
- Clothing, electronics, or other purchases unrelated to school
- Gym memberships or entertainment
- Security deposits or furniture for off-campus housing
- Non-education-related subscriptions (like streaming services or meal kits)
Ready to Apply?
Most undergraduate students will need a cosigner because they typically lack the credit history or income necessary to qualify for a private student loan on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs.
You are eligible for a GradBridge student loan if you are:
- A U.S. Citizen or permanent resident, that is at least the age of majority in their state
- An undergraduate (Junior or greater) or graduate student enrolled in an eligible school in the U.S, and seeking a 4-year undergraduate (Bachelor’s) or graduate/post-graduate degree
Yes, there are credit history requirements to get approved for a student loan. Since most students have limited credit history, they'll likely need a cosigner who has established credit history and income.
A cosigner can be a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, guardian, or mentor that has an established credit history and a steady income stream. A cosigner agrees to take responsibility for repayment of the loan if you can’t make your payments.
For all undergraduate students, a cosigner will be needed. For Graduate students, applying with a cosigner can increase your chances of getting approved and could result in a lower interest rate.
The GradBridge Student loan process generally takes less than 15 minutes to complete. The Borrower applies first and then the cosigner will be prompted to complete their section. The Cosigner does not have to be with the borrower to apply. After you've submitted your student loan application, you’ll receive a credit decision immediately.
Once approved, you'll also get notices to review, accept, and e-sign your loan terms. We will then send your loan to your school for them to certify. The school will verify enrollment and the loan amount based on your cost of attendance.
After your school certifies your loan, we’ll send the money directly to your school based on the schedule they set.
The entire process can take as few as 10 business days but may be longer depending on your school.
All of our loans are disbursed directly to the school; we don't send the money directly to the borrower. The funds may be divided into multiple disbursements, usually one per semester, as determined by your school.
The school will refund any excess money to you following their individual refund procedures.
Typically, student loans have an in-school period and a principal and interest (P&I) period.
- The in-school period is the time you are enrolled in-school (a maximum of 48 months) plus a grace period (typically 6 months)
- Then P&I period starts once the grace period ends and may be 5, 10 or 15 years depending on requested loan amount and what you select in the application
During the in-school period, you will have a variety of repayment options to choose from:
- Deferred: No payments until 6 months after graduation
- Interest Only: Pay only the interest while in school
- Fixed Pay: Pay $25 per month while in school
During the application process, you will get to choose one of these options. If you chose a repayment option with in-school payments, your monthly payments begin as soon as your funds are disbursed.
During the P&I period, you will make monthly payments that include both principal and interest for the repayment term selected.
Contact us about your
Loan Application.
Speak with GradBridge Student Loan Specialist
Email a GradBridge Student Loan Specialist
In the Mail
1- GradBridge loans are second-look private student loans and are not affiliated with the federal student loan program. As such, they do not offer the same repayment benefits that may be available with federal loans. GradBridge loans are for students currently enrolled at a participating school. All loans will be certified by the school.
2- Source: Based on anonymized loan data from multiple student lenders as of Dec, 2025.
3- Repayment Options: While in school, applicants may choose one of the following repayment options (i) Interest-Only: Pay only the interest each month to reduce total loan cost; (ii) $25 Fixed Payments: Pay $25 per month to help lower accrued interest; or (iii) No Payment: Make no payments while in school, interest accrues and is added to the loan balance. Each choice impacts the total loan cost. (iv) For the $25 repayment example, assume a $10,000 loan with an APR of 18.97%, a 5% originations fee, and a .25% ACH discount applied and 10-year term. The loan will have 30 months of in school payments of $25, followed by 120 months of principal and interest payments of $247.46.
