I was curious if there was different requirements for approval for personal loans vs. student loans?

Was also curious if you choose to pay interest upfront if that makes the student loan easier to get?


I have a FISCO credit score of 689, about 4 years worth of credit history and an income of 14,000 a year (student worker)

My boyfriend is willing to co-sign he has a FISCO credit score of 735, 40k income, I think 3 years worth of credit history.


We were denied for a student loan at both chase and wells fargo... trying to figure out what my options are. I graduate this August, and I'm employed (not a high paying job but oh well) so i could start paying monthly payments right away. I need about 8k. (for more details why read my other post)

He also has 3.5k in bonds that we could use as collateral.

I really need this money. I don't want to get screwed by a ton of orginiator fees so I am trying to avoid Sallie Mae. I'd love to try Discover student loan but I don't want too many pings on my credit report and I think if Chase and wells fargo denied us then discover probably would too.... thats why I was thinking maybe we should try for a personal loan instead??

Private student loans that are non-school certified are getting harder to obtain and student loans are next to impossible to discharge. If you can school certify the loan try a CitiAssist loan. I think the min. FICO score needed for this is around 700 but they pay close attention to util. Private student loans have a fairly high interest rate.

Aside from maxing out all of your federal financial aid, you will probably be better off applying for a student loan from your local credit union.

With the personal loan, you may qualify but it will also be at a high interest rate for the most part. If you have access to a credit union start there first. Good luck!