<p>My aid is $1800 short of my COA and that's $1800 I could REALLY use. Is there any chance at all of getting a private student loan with no cosigner and no income, but decent credit? My credit history is perfect, but it's only 3 years long. Unfortunately I cosigned on an auto loan 3 years ago, which has been a mixed blessing since it's my oldest item on my CR and has a perfect payment history, but it also skews my debt/income ratio. </p>
<p>I haven't pulled my CR for a few months but my FICO should be around 740-750. I understand that getting loans is extremely difficult these days, so I'm not really expecting anything, just want to see if I have the barest chance at all before I even attempt it. I don't want to waste an inquiry on my credit report.</p>
<p>Are you a student? If you have a bank account, the bank might work with you for such a loan. Also talk to your financial aid office as some schools have some loans earmarked for students and you might be able to get something from there. If your parents have been declined for a PLUS, then you can get an additional $4K in Stafford money.</p>
<p>Thanks. I am a student, I’ve got 50 credits at a CC and I’m heading to a university this year…sticker shock! I’ve had the same bank since I was 18 (23 now) so maybe I will check with them. My school is flat broke and has nothing to offer. Unfortunately they mishandled my transcript and I was not admitted until well after I intended to apply for aid - which kind of screwed me over as all the good aid was gone by the time they admitted me - but it’s still cheaper to go here than another university as I live right next to it and my support network is here at home.</p>
<p>I don’t want to ask my mother to take out any PLUS loans for me, as she’s already taken out some for my younger siblings and I just don’t feel right asking for it.</p>
<p>PLUS might be the best way to go. You can start repaying it immediately and get rid of it quickly. What kind of terms are you seeking for this loan?</p>
<p>I think you are in strong position to go back to the fin aid office and say “any more federal loans available here?” </p>
<p>The chief thing the bank is going to want to know is how are they going to get paid back. Try a credit union (might be better and they might want to woo your business). </p>
<p>It’s great that you are an older student and hanging in there. It may be that next year you can file the FAFSA as an independent and be eligible for more. Hang in there!</p>
<p>Unfortunately my school does not have anything left to offer me, and my mother refused the PLUS loan because she’s already on the hook for my younger siblings (both of whom are in college right now.) So is there no way at all to get a private loan without a cosigner? I understand if so - it’s just kind of a bummer. Wish I had gone to school before the Great Recession!</p>
<p>Any assets (like a reasonably new car) you could use as collateral? With a good credit history and some collateral you should qualify for a bank loan.</p>
<p>You can ask your bank for such a loan. What kind of pay back schedule do you want? I know my son banks at Wells Fargo and he get promotionals offering him student loans and other stuff all of the time. He hasn’t checked it out, but I see the flyers lying around from when he opens his mail.</p>
<p>You can get a student loan with a parent co signing it, I know, though just having your mom get that additional amount from PLUS and then paying it back would be the easiest thing to do, if you can start paying on it right away. $1800 will require about a very small payment over a 10 year spread, and you can tell your mom that you will make double payments which would end that obligation in less than half that time.</p>
<p>I did promise to pay it back - starting immediately, of course, not when I graduate. But she is against it. Her credit report used to be pretty bad and she’s working on it, and so she doesn’t want to take out any unnecessary loans at all. I have no collateral for a private loan. I have a relative with good credit and good income, but I know she won’t cosign for anything because she is totally against student loans. I know that’s a good outlook, too…I am aware of the problems people have with repaying student loans. </p>
<p>However, this year I am applying for nursing schools for next year, and I’m not sure how I’m going to afford to do so without extra money. There’s only one in my area, so I’m applying all around my state, and it involves application fees, test fees, rental cars (or an actual car) to attend interviews and/or information sessions, etc. I am planning on getting a job, too, but I’m going to need that income to save up for a car for nursing school itself (transportation is mandatory, and reliable transportation is a must - 100% clinical attendance is required.)</p>
<p>I have 1 credit card, but I only use it to grow my credit score. I guess I will have to apply for another. Anyone have any recommendations on a good one for students?</p>
<p>I am looking, but having problems because I can’t work full time like the other college students I am competing with. I am currently taking summer classes as well, and they are science classes for nursing prerequisities so I have lectures and labs.</p>
<p>Numbersix, talk to your bank. You have good credit and a history with them. They are likely to give you a loan. My son was given the option many times over with a not so sterling credit history, but not bad, because he has had this account for his entire time in college. I just checked with Wells Fargo, and, yes, he would be very likely to be able to get a loan for that amount. His credit card limit is about $1000 as it is and they recently reduced the interest on that further.</p>
<p>And how about if your mother co signs? That would do it too, but really the PLUS would be the cheapest and easiest way to go.</p>
<p>I checked with my bank and they are no longer doing student loans…prudent, but frustrating. However, I’ve convinced my mother to apply for the PLUS loan. So, I guess things are working out for me. Can’t wait to be independent, though :)</p>
Wish I had gone to school before the Great Recession!</p>