As a prospective or present student, it’s important to be aware of the many loan options available to you. Of course, we are all aware of federally funded loans that are specially made for students and their education. These loans are simple in that one needs to fill out a single form – the FAFSA – which is free of cost, and they are automatically eligible for loans and financial aid.

Personal loans are a little different. They get more complicated if you’re looking for student loans with no cosigner. Here’s a simple guide!

What the lender wants
The simplest way to understand personal loans for education is to see them like every other kind of loan. The lender will discern your eligibility for the loan through your creditworthiness. You probably already know that your credit score should fall anywhere between 700 to 720 to be considered a serious candidate.

Not only is that unrealistic to achieve, it’s also next to impossible for young candidates since they may barely have the credit history to show their credit score.

Another hurdle is the source of income. An applicant must have a source of income if they are to be eligible for student loans with no cosigner. The bare minimum criteria set by most banks and lenders is at $25,000 per annum. And a final qualification is the US citizenship.

The thing most under your control is your credit score. So let’s see how you can work that.

Working on your credit score
Although it may be a challenge to work on your credit score as a student, it isn’t impossible. However, if you’re under 21, there are some hurdles that you can face. First off, you won’t be eligible to get a credit card under 21 so there are only two ways to work on the credit score.

Authorized use
If your parent or another member of the family authorizes you to use their credit card, whatever history you collect on that card will be listed under your name. You have serious potential for increasing your credit score in this manner.

Using a self-lender account
Taking small loans from a self-lender account, and paying them back yourself on time can be reflected in your credit history. The small loans mean there are lesser chances of defaulting on payment.

If you’re above 21, simply apply for a credit card and use it for small expenses. That way you’ll be able to pay all your bills on time. A secure credit card is also an option so that you avoid overspending. Slowly over time, your credit score will become a good representation of your spending habits.