We can help you obtain a student loan to finance your international education. Finding a student loan, whether you’re an international student in the U.S. or a U.S. student studying abroad, doesn’t have to be difficult. You can find the right loan in seconds with our student loan comparison tool, then apply online.

Federal student loan requirements

If you’ve maxed out your scholarship and grant options (or don’t qualify), federal student loans could be a good alternative to pay for college.

Here are the main requirements for federal student loans:

• Demonstrate financial need. Financial need is calculated when you complete the FAFSA and is required to qualify for Direct Subsidized Loans. However, you might be able to qualify for Direct Unsubsidized or PLUS Loans regardless of financial need.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Some legal U.S. residents without citizenship might still qualify.
• Have a Social Security number. Outside of residents from a few U.S. territories, you must have a valid Social Security number.
• Enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program. You can’t use federal student loans unless you’re attending an accredited or recognized program.
• Make satisfactory academic progress. Each school sets its academic standards. If you don’t maintain the minimum grades your school requires, you risk getting cut off from federal aid programs.
• Register with Selective Service. Men between the ages 18 and 25 must sign up for the draft through Selective Service.
• Enroll at least half-time for Federal Direct Loans. For most student loan programs, you must sign up for at least a half-time course load.
• Complete and sign the FAFSA. Your FAFSA information is used to calculate your financial need, which is the difference between what your family is expected to contribute and your estimated cost of attendance.
• Have qualifications needed for your program: A high school diploma, GED, homeschool program, or equivalent is required.

When to apply for student loans

If you are eligible for a student loan, you should apply well in advance of when you will need the funds. When should you apply for student loans in general?

To apply for student loans, you must complete the FAFSA, which means you must meet the FAFSA deadline. You have until June 30, 2023, to complete the FAFSA for the 2022-2023 academic year. Keep in mind that some financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to file the FAFSA as early as possible, especially if your financial need is high.

, unlike federal student loans, do not have an application deadline.