You could get a better rate with our student loans than a federal PLUS loan.^{footnote 1}

footnote Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.

footnote Prequalification is not a firm offer of credit and does not guarantee loan approval. Prequalified rates are estimates and, if shown, are based on information you provide and a soft credit check. To apply for a loan, you must complete a full application and undergo a full credit review.

footnote Sallie Mae loans are subject to credit approval, identity verification, execution of required loan documents, and school certification. Loan product offerings may vary depending on the educational programs offered by the student’s school. The student must be at least the age of majority in their state of residence (otherwise a cosigner is required) and meet enrollment requirements at a participating school. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S.., meet enrollment requirements at a participating school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote All reviews on this page were provided by customers who completed Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys. Reviewers were not compensated by Sallie Mae for providing their review.

footnote 1. Sallie Mae loans may be offered at a lower rate than PLUS to highly-qualified applicants with strong credit profiles with strong credit profiles depending on the creditworthiness of the applicant(s). Explore federal loans and compare to make sure you understand the terms and features. Private student loans that have variable rates can go up over the life of the loan. Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including, but not limited to, income-based repayment and income-contingent repayment plans, and loan forgiveness and deferment benefits, which other student loans are not required to provide. Federal loans generally have origination fees, but are available to students regardless of income. 

footnote 2. For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. 

footnote 3. Although we do not charge you a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as provided in your promissory note — first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal. 

footnote 4. Based on a comparison of the percentage of students who were approved with a cosigner to the percentage of students who were approved without a cosigner from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.

footnote 5. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.  

footnote 6. Based on the percentage of approved undergraduate loans that were cosigned from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. 

footnote Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank. 

footnote Information advertised valid as of 07/02/2026.

footnote SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK SALLIEMAE.COM FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PRODUCT INFORMATION.