SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/teen-college-cosigner

Students with no credit history usually need what to get a private student loan?

A cosigner, often a family member.

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  1. A letter from a teacher
  2. A cosigner, often a family member ✔
  3. A high school diploma only

Why: Private lenders check credit history. With none, they typically require a family member to cosign and share responsibility for the loan. Federal student loans usually need no cosigner.

Huh, didn't know that: Federal loans have borrower protections that private and non-federal loans typically do not offer.

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References

Answer: A cosigner, often a family member. Private lenders check credit history. With none, they typically require a family member to cosign and share responsibility for the loan. Federal student loans usually need no cosigner.

  1. CFPB: Your financial path to graduation www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/your-financial-path-to-graduation
    Students without a credit history are typically required to have a family member cosign as a fellow borrower on the loan.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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