- Covers 100% of the costs1 for graduate, masters, doctoral and professional degrees
- Flexible repayment options and no origination fees
- Designed for your graduate program and career timeline
Here's our current graduate interest rates:
Variable rates
3.89%
to 15.99% APR
Fixed rates
2.59%
to 15.99% APR
(all rates shown include auto-pay discount)2
Find the Best Graduate Loan for You
Graduate school brings big aspirations and financial decisions. College Ave offers simple, flexible graduate loans designed to help keep you covered, so you can stay focused on your program and future career. Explore our full suite of graduate loan options.
Should I choose a Variable or Fixed Rate?
When choosing a graduate student loan, interest rates play an important role. Understanding the difference between fixed and variable rates can help you select the option that best fits your financial and long-term career goals.
Variable Rate
3.89%
to 15.99% APR
*all rates shown include auto-pay discount2
Variable interest rates are tied to a market index and will fluctuate – up or down – over time with the market. This will change your monthly payment.
Changes to the rate are typically based on a publicly available interest rate index such as the prime rate or SOFR.
Fixed Rate
2.59%
to 15.99% APR
*all rates shown include auto-pay discount2
Fixed interest rates stay the same for the entire repayment period. You will have the same monthly payment amount every month after entering full repayment.
Changes to the rate are typically based on a publicly available interest rate index such as the prime rate or SOFR.
We Have you Covered for Graduate School.
Borrow up to 100% of the cost of attendance1 for grad school with private graduate student loans from College Ave. Grad PLUS loans may be going away, but we're not going anywhere.
See what's changing with Federal Grad PLUS loans.
How Do We Compare to Other Private Lenders?
| College Ave | Sallie Mae | Citizens Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans Designed for Your Field of Study |
|
Limited | Limited |
| Number of Repayment Options |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Select Your Own Repayment Term |
|
Limited | Limited |
| Apply in as Little as 3 Minutes |
|
|
|
| No Application or Origination Fees |
|
|
|
Comparisons based on information obtained on lenders' websites as of January 28th, 2026.
Advanced Loans for Advanced Degrees
Pursuing an advanced degree is a major step and we're here for support. Our grad student loans come with flexible terms, competitive rates, and zero hidden fees. Whether you're heading to med school, law school, business school, or beyond, we help you stay focused on your goals, not your finances.
Added Benefits for College Ave Student Loan Borrowers
Beyond competitive rates, we provide benefits that help you stay in control of your loan. Explore the features designed with students in mind.
One application. Two semesters covered. If you qualify, you can secure funding for both fall and spring, making the process simpler, every year.
Grace periods begin once you graduate, enter post- graduate training or are enrolled in school less than half time.
Grace Periods:
Graduate / MBA / Law / STEM / Health Professions: 9 months
Dental Loans: 12 months
Medical Loans: 36 months
Graduate / MBA / Law / STEM / Health Professions: 9 months
Dental Loans: 12 months
Medical Loans: 36 months
Yes, College Ave offers deferment periods, which are tailored to fit the specific needs of your advanced degree training.
Law: 12 months
Dental Loans: 36 months
Medical / Health Profession Loans: 48 months
Law: 12 months
Dental Loans: 36 months
Medical / Health Profession Loans: 48 months
Once you've built a strong credit history and made consistent on-time payments, you may be able to release your cosigner from your student loan - giving you more independence and them peace of mind. Learn more here: Can a cosigner be released from a loan?
Support with A Cosigner
Cosigners play a crucial role in helping students - even graduate students - access the money they need for college. Cosigners make it possible for lenders to offer financing that might otherwise be out of reach for students on their own. Simply put, they help open the door to opportunity, offering the support students need to take that next big step in their career with confidence.
0%
of approved graduate loans are cosigned.6
0%
of prospective graduate students plan to use Private Student Loans to fund their graduate education.5
Overwhelmed? Don't Be! Just Follow These Easy Steps
1
Evaluate your graduate school program length, timing, credit score and financial situation.
Understand your current financial standing, including your credit score and any existing debt. Consider how long you plan to be in graduate school and how much you can comfortably borrow. Graduate students can apply to cover their full program year, giving you confidence grad school is covered.
2
Weigh the importance of loan repayment terms, grace periods and deferment.
When deciding to go to graduate school, you will need to find a loan that fits your program. College Ave offers graduate loans structured for your degree, like deferment while in residency, clerkship or fellowship.
3
Compare interest rates from private lenders and evaluate originations fees.
Compare rates from lenders and be sure to consider any origination fees that may be associated with taking a loan. Taking the time to compare lenders side by side can help you feel confident you're choosing the best option for your financial goals, with fewer surprises down the road.
4
Take the Next Step in Your Career with College Ave
Ensure your graduate school is fully covered with a private student loan from College Ave. Once approved, we'll work directly with your school to certify the loan, making it an easy process and setting you up for success.
1
Evaluate your graduate school program length, timing, credit score and financial situation.
Understand your current financial standing, including your credit score and any existing debt. Consider how long you plan to be in graduate school and how much you can comfortably borrow. Graduate students can apply to cover their full program year, giving you confidence grad school is covered.
2
Weigh the importance of loan repayment terms, grace periods and deferment.
When deciding to go to graduate school, you will need to find a loan that fits your program. College Ave offers graduate loans structured for your degree, like deferment while in residency, clerkship or fellowship.
3
Compare interest rates from private lenders and evaluate originations fees.
Compare rates from lenders and be sure to consider any origination fees that may be associated with taking a loan. Taking the time to compare lenders side by side can help you feel confident you're choosing the best option for your financial goals, with fewer surprises down the road.
4
Take the Next Step in Your Career with College Ave
Ensure your graduate school is fully covered with a private student loan from College Ave. Once approved, we'll work directly with your school to certify the loan, making it an easy process and setting you up for success.
FAQ’s for Graduate Student Loans
-
What is a Graduate Student Loan?
A graduate student loan helps cover the costs of pursuing a master's, doctoral, or professional degree when savings, grants, or scholarships aren't enough. These loans bridge the gap between your financial aid and the full cost of attendance — including tuition, housing, books, transportation, and more.
There are two main types of graduate student loans: federal and private.
Federal Graduate Loans
Offered by the U.S. Department of Education, federal loans include:- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans — Available to most grad students, regardless of financial need. Lifetime and annual caps, or max loan amounts, will change in 2026 due to new legislation passed in July 2025 (also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill").
- Grad PLUS Loans — Allow you to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, but with a higher interest rate and loan origination fee than Federal Direct Loans. However, beginning July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS Loan will be eliminated for new graduate student borrowers with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in 2025.
To apply for federal loans, you'll need to complete the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Private Graduate Loans
Private graduate loans — like the ones offered by College Ave — are available through private lenders. These loans may offer:- Competitive fixed or variable interest rates
- Flexible repayment terms
- No origination fees
Private loans can be a smart option after you've explored scholarships, grants, and federal loans — or if you've reached your federal borrowing limits and need additional funding.
-
Who is eligible for a graduate student loan with College Ave?
Graduate students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled at an eligible institution. Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress guidelines of their school. International grad students with a U.S. social security number and a qualified cosigner are also eligible to apply for graduate student loans.
A cosigner may be needed for those who do not meet financial, credit or other requirements of taking out a private loan. Cosigners must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.
-
Can private student loans cover all my graduate school costs?
Yes! College Ave's student loans will cover up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance1, which typically includes things like tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food, transportation and personal expenses
-
What is considered a professional vs. non-professional degree?
Professional Degree Graduate Programs Under federal student aid rules, professional degree programs generally prepare students for direct entry into a licensed or regulated profession. The Department of Education is working to finalize the programs that qualify as "professional" degrees. But an early approved draft of the rules indicates the following degrees qualify as professional:
- Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.)
- Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.)
- Law (J.D. or L.L.B.)
- Medicine (M.D.)
- Optometry (O.D.)
- Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
- Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Podiatry (D.P.M, D.P., or Pod.D.)
- Theology (M.Div. or M.H.L.)
- Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
Non-professional programs typically include all other types of graduate programs, such as:
- Master's degrees (MA, MS, MBA, MEd, etc.)
- Research-oriented doctoral degrees (i.e. EdD)
- Other graduate programs that do not directly lead to professional licensure
-
What do you need to apply for a Graduate Student Loan from College Ave?
To apply for a College Ave Graduate Student Loan, you and your cosigner (if applicable) need to have the following information ready:
- Contact information
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Household income
- School of attendance
- Expected graduation date
- Requested loan amount
Once this information is prepared, it takes about three minutes to complete our application.
Footnotes
1
As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
2
Variable rates may increase after consummation. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
3
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a first year graduate student borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 6.27% fixed Annual Percentage Rate ("APR"): 33 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $145.75 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $14,817.03. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
4
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a first-year graduate student borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.10% fixed Annual Percentage Rate ("APR"): 120 monthly payments of $141.66 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $16,699.21. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
5
The College Ave survey was conducted by Hanover Research®. The national online survey included current graduate students or prospective graduate students. The survey had 550 respondents and was fielded in September 2025.
6
Based on College Ave's internal loan data for approved graduate loans. Percentage may vary by applicant credit profile, program, and time period.