Student Loan Cosigner Archives - EducationConnection

Being a Student Loan Cosigner Can Be Risky

Posted on June 3, 2024February 19, 2025 by Melanie Datu

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Last night, my daughter ran into my room brimming with excitement about a theatre school in New York City that she absolutely must attend next year. Being the proud ‘drama mama’ that I am, I didn’t simply shoot her down. Instead, we paid a visit to the school’s website. Everything looked amazing, but there didn’t seem to be any mention of tuition or fees.

Intrigued, I searched for the ever-elusive Net Price Calculator that schools are expected to post on their websites.

Surely this would tell me what my daughter’s dream school was going to cost me, right? I punched in our income figures, answered a few general questions, and up popped a number that made me suddenly sick to my stomach.

Even after scoring a potential $4,000 scholarship, and taking out the maximum in student loans ($5,500), our responsibility would be a whopping $35,000 per year. Ouch! The number, however, didn’t seem to deter my daughter. She simply turned to me and said, ‘You can cosign on a private student loan with me, right?’

Technically, the answer is yes. My husband and I both have good credit, but should we help finance this expensive dream? Before co-signing on any student loan, whether for your child or a friend, here are some things you should consider, the risks of being a student loan cosigner.

1. History May Repeat Itself

If the person requesting your help to cosign a private student loan has a history of not following through on promises, doesn’t have a history of making good financial decisions, or can’t seem to save any money, you may want to reconsider signing your name to a student loan agreement. Remember, you are equally responsible for paying back the loan. If the borrower fails to make his/her payments on time, you can be sure the lender will come looking for you.

2. Your Credit Could Be Damaged as a Student Loan Cosigner

You may have great credit right now, but taking out a large student loan could make it more difficult for you to take out other loans or credit cards. If you think you may want to make a major purchase, such as a car or a new home, you may not want to co-sign at this time.

Additionally, you must be prepared to have your credit score lowered should the other person fail to make payments on time. It only takes one missed payment to negatively affect your credit score.

3. The Loan Obligation Goes Beyond the Amount Financed

The amount borrowed is not the amount the borrower will end up paying over the life of the loan. Deferment, forbearance and interest can add a hefty amount to the total cost of the loan.

If you become responsible for repaying the loan, you need to consider that your obligation will include the amount borrowed, accrued interest and any other fees incurred during the course of repayment.

4. The Debt Could Hurt Your Relationship

It’s not uncommon for students to default on their loans. If you decide to co-sign on a student loan, you must be prepared to assume that debt if the borrower fails to make their payments.

If you are financially unable to make the payments, it can have serious repercussions. Not only will your credit suffer, but also your relationship with the other person on the loan. I have seen money pull families apart all too often, so think long and hard before you take out any loans you can’t afford to repay.

5. It’s Very Difficult to Remove Yourself From the Loan

Don’t co-sign a student loan with the expectation that you can simply remove your name at a later date. Although most lenders offer a co-signer release, there are some hoops the borrower must jump through first. One, depending on the lender, he/she must make consecutive, on-time payments. This can be as few as 12 months (Sallie Mae) or as many as 48 (SunTrust). In addition, the borrower must provide proof that he/she meets income requirements and has a satisfactory credit score.

There is no guarantee that even after payments are made on a timely basis that the lender will let you out of your commitment. There are even some cases where a borrower has died and the co-signer was still required to pay back the loan. And forget about bankruptcy; it’s nearly impossible to have student loans discharged. If you sign on the dotted line, expect to share the responsibility for that debt until it is paid in full.

Risks of Being a Student Loan Cosigner

Consider These Tips to Safeguard Your Credit

If you feel confident that your child (or other borrower) is responsible and you want to help by co-signing on a student loan, be sure to consider the following safeguards.

Make sure the student exhausts all federal financial aid options including federal student loans before considering a private student loan.
Encourage the student to diligently pursue scholarships and grant opportunities.
Only borrow what is absolutely needed. Play it safe by not taking out more than one years’ anticipated salary (borrower’s) upon graduation. For example, if you expect your child to earn $35,000 at his/her position, don’t borrow more than $35,000 in total student loans while he/she is in college.
Have the borrower sign an agreement that stipulates he/she will repay any missed payments and/or fees you cover over the life of the loan. This way, if you do end up in court, you may be able to recoup some or all of your losses.
Take charge of the student loan payments. It could be months before a student loan servicer or creditor contacts you about missed payments. By then, the damage to your credit score has already been done. Save yourself the trouble by mailing in the payments or submitting them electronically online. In some cases, lenders offer an incentive for using automatic payments.

Although I would love to help my daughter pay for her dream college, taking on a potential debt of $140,000 just doesn’t make financial sense. If she were to default on the loan, we could lose our retirement savings, home and other assets. She may be a little upset with me right now, but I’m confident that we can find another ‘dream’ school that’s a little more within our family’s budget.

Saying no to your child (or a friend) is never easy, but in the end you must do what’s best for your financial security.

How to Remove a Cosigner From a Student Loan

Posted on May 3, 2024March 19, 2025 by Melanie Datu

Are you wondering on how to remove a cosigner from a student loan? With the rising cost of college tuition, more students are turning to private student loans to help bridge the gap between what is offered through financial aid and what they can pay out of pocket and their actual college costs.

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Unfortunately, many young people have a limited credit and employment history, which means they will be unable to secure a private student loan on their own. In general, most lenders require students to have a credit worthy cosigner before they will be approved for financing. If a cosigner no longer wants to be responsible for a student loan, here are ways on how to remove a cosigner through a student loan cosigner release.

How to Remove a Cosigner from a Student Loan

This person doesn’t necessarily need to be related to the borrower (student), but parents and other family members often step up to help out. But, being a cosigner can be risky. If the borrower fails to make payments, the cosigner will be legally obligated to repay the debt. There may even be some risk for the borrower, as well.

For example, should the cosigner die or file for bankruptcy before the loan is paid in full, the student loan servicer may place the loan in default and demand that the balance be paid in full, even if all payments have been made on time. Plus, removing a cosigner from a private student loan is not always an easy process. There are two primary ways a cosigner can be freed of their obligations under the promissory note they signed.

Student Loan Cosigner Release

Many banks and lenders offer cosigners the opportunity to be released from a private student loan, but borrowers need to be sure the option is available before consummating the loan. Those that do offer this escape clause typically require borrowers to make a minimum number of consecutive, on-time payments (usually between 24 and 48 months).

Borrowers must also provide evidence that they have sufficient monthly income to cover the payments, and generally must submit to another credit check.

Most lenders provide a form that must be completed, as well. If a borrower already has a taken a loan that was cosigned by another individual, he/she will need to contact the loan’s service to find out if obtaining a release for the cosigner is an available option and, if so, what steps need to be taken for the cosigner to be removed from the loan.

Refinance/Consolidation

For those who do not have the option of obtaining a cosigner release, refinancing or consolidating their loans may be the only way to remove a cosigner from his/her obligation. Borrowers will need to have a good credit history, stable employment, and enough income to cover the monthly payments on their own in order to refinance or consolidate their loans.

Basically, this allows borrowers to pay off their previous debt and releases cosigners from any further obligation. The original loan will, however, remain on the cosigner’s credit history, but will indicate that the loan is closed and paid in full.

If neither of these options is available, cosigners should do their best to ensure payments are being made on time until the debt is paid in full. This may require them to even pitch in now and then, but it’s better than finding out that their credit has been ruined due to several late payments being reported to the credit bureaus, or worse, being required to pay late fees, penalties, and collection costs because the loan went into default status.

What to Look For in a Student Loan Cosigner

Posted on April 23, 2024March 7, 2025 by Melanie Datu

If you’re thinking about taking out a private student loan for college, chances are you’ll need a cosigner to get one. Very few students meet the qualifications for securing a loan on their own, so getting your student loans with cosigner may be a necessity. In fact, “more than 90 percent of private student loans for undergraduate students…require a creditworthy cosigner” according to Mark Kantrowitz of Cappex. There are several student loan cosigner requirements to look into.

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A good student loan cosigner cannot only help you secure a student loan, but also obtain a more favorable interest rate. It’s important, however, to understand the risks a cosigner assumes when he or she agrees to help you obtain a loan. He or she will be equally responsible for paying off the debt, even if you don’t finish college.

Should you fail to make payments, your cosigner will be required to not only cover the past due amount, but also any interest fees and other charges that have been assessed. You should only turn to private students loans with a cosigner once you have exhausted all other possible funding sources, such as federal student loans and scholarships. If you do need to pursue a private student loan, you should know who can cosign a student loan and also be aware of the student loan cosigner requirements before asking someone to set up as your cosigner.

What are the Student Loan Cosigner Requirements?

Cosigners for student loans typically need a good credit score, stable income, be in good health and be willing to help you if you are unable to meet your loan payments.

1. Credit History of Cosigner

After the financial and credit crisis of 2008, it became more difficult to qualify for unsecured consumer credit. In the case of private student loans, most borrowers will need a cosigner who has a favorable credit history and a reliable source of income. Your cosigner should have a low debt to income (DTI) ratio, as well as a history of making payments on time.

There are frequently student loan cosigner minimum credit score requirements. Lenders are more likely to approve your loan if your cosigner’s credit score is 720 or higher. If your cosigner has a credit score between 680 and 720, he or she may still be able to help you secure a loan, but the interest rate will probably be higher.

2. Stability

Along with a good credit history, lenders will also look at the stability of your cosigner. This includes job history, as well as the length of time your cosigner has lived in his or her home.

You’ll want to choose someone who has worked for the same company for at least a year, if not longer, and has verifiable income. The longer he or she has lived in the area, and maintained a steady income, the better your chances are of securing a private student loan.

3. Good Health

Believe it or not, the age and health of your cosigner does matter. Maybe not so much to the lender, but it should be something you take into consideration. If you choose a cosigner who is in poor health, or over the age of 65, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise later on.

Why? Some lenders include a clause in your student loan agreement that allows them to demand your loan be paid in full upon the death of your cosigner. Or worse, the lender could place your loan in default, even though you have made all your payments on time.

This can happen automatically, without any notice, and effectively ruin your credit.

4. Relationship to Student Loan Cosigner

You may think that your parents are the only ones who can cosign a loan for you, but that is not the case. Other relatives, including siblings and cousins, as well as a friend or a spouse, may act as your cosigner. Basically, anyone with a good credit history and the willingness to help you could act as your cosigner.

Just remember that this is a binding contract. If you fail to make your payments or default, you run the risk of not only ruining your credit and your cosigner’s, but also destroying your relationship.

It might be a good idea to draft a contract prior to asking someone to act as your cosigner. You could include specific details about how you plan to repay the debt, such as setting up automatic payments, as well as a clause that states you will reimburse any missed payments and/or fees covered over the life of the loan.

It’s not required, but it may give your cosigner some peace of mind. Finally, don’t forget to thank your cosigner for helping you out. It’s a serious commitment to make and one that should not be taken lightly.