Graduate Student Loans

A graduate student loan helps you pay for an advanced degree. It can cover anything from smaller education expenses to the full cost of attendance (minus any financial aid you’ve already received). Before exploring private loans, it’s always a good idea to see if you qualify for federal loans or grants.

It only takes a few minutes to check your rate, and doing so won’t impact your credit score.* If you like your rate, you can complete the full application quickly online. _{*Completing an application, will require a hard credit check and may impact your credit score.}

Nelnet Bank Graduate Student Loans are designed for students pursuing an advanced degree. They include the same great features as our undergraduate loans—like fixed or variable interest rates, autopay discounts, and flexible repayment options—but are tailored to graduate-level borrowers.

Unlike federal loans, we don’t charge an origination fee, and your interest rate is based on your creditworthiness (and your cosigner’s, if applicable). Federal loans use a fixed rate for everyone, but our customized rates may help you save significantly over the life of your loan if you qualify for a lower rate.

Federal graduate loans come from the U.S. Department of Education and require you to complete the FAFSA. Private graduate student loans—like those from Nelnet Bank—are offered by financial institutions and are based on your credit profile. Federal Grad PLUS Loans have a fixed interest rate for all borrowers, which may be higher than what you’d receive from a private lender. It’s a smart idea to compare rates before making a decision. (Checking your rate with us won’t impact your credit score.)

You must be enrolled at least half-time in a graduate program at a school we work with. You (or you and a cosigner) must also meet our credit and eligibility requirements.

Loan amounts start at $1,000 and go up to your school's certified cost of attendance or our maximum loan amount, whichever is less.  Funds are sent directly to your school to cover your balance first, and any remaining funds are disbursed to you for other qualified education expenses.

Yes. You can use loan funds to cover up to 100% of your certified education costs—including tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, meals, transportation, technology, and more. Your school’s financial aid office will certify the total amount you’re eligible to borrow. If you’re unsure whether a specific expense qualifies, check with them directly.

We offer flexible repayment plans designed for graduate students. You can choose to start full repayment immediately, make small payments while in school, make interest-only payments, or defer full repayment until after graduation. You can also choose a shorter or longer loan term—shorter terms typically help reduce the total interest you pay.

Yes—if you meet our credit and other eligibility requirements. That said, many borrowers add a creditworthy cosigner to help strengthen their application and potentially qualify for a lower interest rate. Cosigners can be released after graduation through our Cosigner Release process once you meet eligibility criteria.