What Does “Co-Signing” a Loan Mean?

When applying for a student loan, many lenders ask students to have a co-signer for co-signing a loan.

What is a co-signer?

A co-signer shares the responsibility with the student to ensure timely repayments. Essentially, if the student who is taking out the loan can not—for whatever reason—repay, it’s up to the co-signer to do it for them.

What does co-signing a loan mean?

Many students who are taking out loans have their parents co-sign. That means the parents are financially responsible for the loan should their child not be able to pay it off after graduation.

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Why is a co-signer Necessary?

So why do many loans require a co-signer before it’s approved? Well, primarily because incoming college students usually have little to no credit built up to their name. Credit is basically your fiscal responsibilities and your track record for making repayments on time. Loan lenders want to ensure they’ll be repaid. Thus, they only give loans to those with good credit—those they know will be able to pay it back. Since most incoming college freshmen don’t have a history of credit, loan providers will ask their parent or guardian to co-sign for them.

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Lender	Rates (APR)	Eligibility
	5.34%-15.96%* Variable 3.99%-15.61%* Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT CITIZENS
	4.92% - 15.08% Variable 3.99% - 15.49% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT SALLIE MAE
	4.50% - 17.99% Variable 3.49% - 17.99% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT CREDIBLE
	6.00% - 13.75% Variable 3.99% - 13.75% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT LENDKEY
	5.50% - 14.56% Variable 3.69% - 14.41% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ASCENT
	3.70% - 8.75% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ISL
	4.99% - 16.85% Variable 3.47% - 16.49% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT EARNEST
	5.00% - 14.22% Variable 3.69% - 14.22% 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.