Student Loan Cosigners

Explore the benefits to see if a cosigner is right for you

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Benefits

Over 90% of our student borrowers have a cosigner.[2]

Students don’t always have a strong enough credit history or meet credit requirements to qualify for a loan on their own. A cosigner could make up for some of the requirements a student doesn’t meet.

A cosigner with established credit could help you:

  • Get a lower rate
  • Pay less each month
  • Get approved more easily

You may apply to release the co-signer after 48 on-time payments (credit check required).[3]

Requirements

Generally, a cosigner could be a parent, guardian, relative, spouse, friend or another adult with good credit. Some things to consider:

  • Choose someone you know and trust, since they share equal responsibility for the loan.
  • Only one person can cosign for an individual loan, but you can choose a different person each year, if you want.
  • You and your cosigner don’t need to live in the same state.
  • A cosigner is also required for all 17-year-old applicants.
  • The cosigner must be the age of majority in the state where they live.

How to Apply

After the student enters all necessary information, the cosigner will be prompted to complete a separate portion of the application:

  • Name
  • Social Security number
  • Date of birth
  • Address
  • Income information

We’ll do a credit check for both the student and the cosigner.

Learn more about PNC Private Student Loans

Ways to Apply

Apply now to receive a preliminary decision within minutes.[4]

Apply Online

Apply by Phone

Apply in Branch

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – the payment status of the loan is reported to the credit bureaus for both the student borrower and the cosigner.

After submitting the application, if approved, the borrower and cosigner may receive a  Registration Email, Credit Approval Notice, Loan Configuration Notice, loan document notices, certification notices, and a disbursement notice.

If approved, you will also receive a Welcome Letter after the funds disburse.  You may also receive letters when adjustments are made to the account, such as when deferment or forbearance periods are granted, and phone calls and reminder notices if the account becomes delinquent.  You may also receive emails or texts if you consent to receive communications through those methods.

Yes! Once the loan books, you will receive a Welcome Letter with instructions on creating an account for loan servicing: making payments, address changes, and similar actions.

Yes, you can make payments using any of the available payment methods provided by American Education Services (AES) the loan servicer for PNC Education Loans. Payment methods include the AES mobile app, by phone, or through the mail by check or money order. You must first create your own account access to make payments online.

You share equal responsibility for the loan. If the student borrower fails to make payments and the loan becomes delinquent, you both will receive letters and calls until the delinquency is resolved. The payment status of the loan is reported to the credit bureaus for both the student borrower and the cosigner.

You are responsible for the entire life of loan until it is paid in full or if the borrower applies for cosigner release.

To qualify for cosigner release, the borrower must submit a request, make at least 48 consecutive, timely payments, provide proof of income, and pass a credit check. If approved, the cosigner will be released from the loan. The primary borrower will take on full responsibility for the remainder of the loan term.[3]

Cosigning a loan will impact your debt-to-income ratio which may impact your eligibility for other financial products. As the cosigner, you are responsible for the entire life of the loan until paid in full or if the borrower applies for and is granted co-signer release.

To qualify for cosigner release, the borrower must submit a request, make at least 48 consecutive, timely payments, provide proof of income, and pass a credit check. If approved, the cosigner will be released from the loan. The primary borrower will take on full responsibility for the remainder of the loan term.

The primary borrower may apply to refinance the loan in the future as a solo applicant to remove you from the loan.

Student Application Options

Review all PNC Student Lending Options below.

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