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30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·
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Private student loan review

College Ave Undergraduate Student Loan Review (2026)

College Ave earned 4.5 / 5 in our 2026 review. APRs run 5.59% to 16.85% on 5 to 15 years terms, with loan amounts $1,000 to $150,000. Best as a gap filler after federal aid for students who need more funding.

By the Fintiex Loan Desk · Updated 2026-05-02
Check rates at College Ave Compare student lenders
TL;DR stats
APR range
5.59% to 16.85%
Loan amount
$1,000 to $150,000
Term range
5 to 15 years
Origination fee
None
Loan type
Private
Min credit score
600
Cosigner release
24 months
Forbearance
Available
Pros
  • +No fees of any kind (origination, application, prepayment)
  • +Flexible repayment terms from 5 to 15 years
  • +Pre-qualification with soft credit pull
  • +Approval decision in as little as 3 minutes
  • +0.25% autopay rate discount
  • +Dedicated student loan advisors available
Cons
  • -Cosigner release only after 24 payments (longer than some competitors)
  • -Does not offer multi-year approval option
  • -No graduate-specific products

Rates and fees

APR range
5.59% to 16.85%
APR type
Fixed and variable
Origination fee
None
Late fee
5% of the late payment amount
Prepayment penalty
None
Loan amount range
$1,000 to $150,000
Repayment terms
5 to 15 years
Forbearance
Available
Minimum FICO
600

Variable APRs typically start lower than fixed but can rise over the life of the loan. The Federal Reserve recommends fixed rates for repayment plans longer than 5 years.

In-school payment options

deferredinterest-onlyflat $25/monthfull principal and interest

Deferring all payments costs the most in lifetime interest because interest accrues and capitalizes when you graduate. Interest-only payments cost less. A fixed $25 monthly payment is the cheapest in-school option that still keeps the balance from growing.

Who it is for

College Ave fits students who have maxed out federal aid and need $1,000 to $150,000 in additional borrowing. Best for applicants with FICO 600+ (or a cosigner with that profile), enrolled at least half-time at a Title IV school. Not a fit if you have not first applied for federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans through FAFSA.

How to apply for a College Ave loan

Applying takes about 15 minutes online. You will need your school name and enrollment status, Social Security number, government ID, and cosigner info (if you have one). The U.S. Department of Education recommends submitting FAFSA first to confirm what federal aid you can get before borrowing privately.

  1. 1.Submit FAFSA at studentaid.gov to confirm federal aid eligibility before borrowing privately.
  2. 2.Prequalify on the College Ave site (soft pull) to see estimated APR with and without a cosigner.
  3. 3.Compare against 2 or 3 other private lenders. The CFPB confirms a 14- to 45-day shopping window adds no extra credit damage.
  4. 4.Submit the formal application with cosigner info if needed. Triggers a hard inquiry on both you and the cosigner.
  5. 5.School certification happens next; the lender confirms enrollment and cost. Funds disburse directly to your school.
Start a College Ave application

Frequently asked questions

Is the College Ave private student loan a good choice?
College Ave earned 4.5 out of 5 in our 2026 review. APRs run 5.59% to 16.85% on 5 to 15 years terms with no origination fee. The product fits students who need to fill a gap after federal aid.
What credit score do I need for a College Ave loan?
College Ave requires a minimum FICO of 600. The lowest advertised rate typically goes to applicants with 660+ FICO, stable income, and a creditworthy cosigner. The CFPB recommends prequalifying with a soft pull before any formal application.
Do I need a cosigner for a College Ave loan?
Most undergraduates do. College Ave does not technically require a cosigner, and it allows cosigner release after 24 months of on-time payments. Without a cosigner, you need strong personal credit and income to qualify for the best rate. Adding a creditworthy cosigner often cuts the APR by several percentage points.
Does College Ave charge fees on a private student loan?
College Ave charges no origination fee and no application fee, and no prepayment penalty. Late fees: 5% of the late payment amount. The Federal Reserve recommends comparing APR rather than the headline interest rate, because APR rolls in origination.
What loan amounts and terms does College Ave offer?
College Ave private student loans range from $1,000 to $150,000. Repayment terms are 5 to 15 years. Choose the shortest term you can afford to minimize lifetime interest.
Does College Ave offer forbearance or hardship pause?
Yes. College Ave offers forbearance during financial hardship. Forbearance pauses payments but interest typically continues to accrue. The CFPB warns that forbearance should be a last resort because unpaid interest can capitalize and increase your total balance.
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