3 Qualities a Cosigner Must Have

Flickr user Tony Unruh

We’ve written about who can co-sign before, and how you’ll likely need one depending on the type of student loan you take out. Besides just asking someone randomly, consider if the person you want to cosign is the best person you know to ask. Here are some things to look for in a good cosigner.

Secure Financial History

This is extremely important in a cosigner. This person co-signing needs to have a good credit score, typically around 720 or higher. It can be a little lower than that, but that includes the risk of having higher interest rates. They should also have a stable employment history, and be at their current place of employment for over a year at the time you want them to cosign. If this person has a long history of making payments and working under stable conditions, they are a good person to cosign.

Good Health

This one might seem a little wacky, but you’ll want to consider the health and/or age of the person you’re going to ask to cosign. Some loan lenders have a policy that forces the borrower to pay the full amount if their cosigner dies, even if you have made all of your payments on time.

A loan designed with you in mind

Variable cosigned rates from 5.98% - 15.63% APR with auto-debit

LEARN MORE

Strong Relationship

If you fail to make your payments or go into default, you can screw up your credit and your cosigners. Now, you should plan to make your payments and not default, but if you don’t this can strain your relationship with your cosigner.

Use College Raptor’s new Student Loan Finder to discover personalized private loans. Compare lenders and interest rates to find the ideal student loan for you!

 

Lender	Rates (APR)	Eligibility
	5.99% - 16.33% Variable 4.50% - 14.83% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT SALLIE MAE
	4.99% - 16.20% Variable 3.65% - 15.91% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT CREDIBLE
	5.80% - 10.80% Variable 4.89% - 10.90% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT LENDKEY
	5.98% - 15.63% Variable 4.48% - 15.27% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ASCENT
	5.59% - 10.13% Variable 3.85% - 7.91% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ISL
	5.32% - 16.20% Variable 4.43% - 14.90% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT EARNEST
	4.73% - 12.54% Variable 4.48% - 12.29% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ELFI

College Raptor is not a loan lender and does not assume responsibility for suggesting a loan to a user who may not be eligible for it. Rates, terms, conditions, eligibility, approval, and other considerations are the decisions of the lenders and may vary depending on which lender or marketplace the user selects. We urge users to carefully consider and review all loan options and terms before committing to taking out a loan.