Choose the student loan that's right for you

Whether you're an undergraduate, graduate, or career training student, we have loans to help you reach your education goals with confidence.

Loan benefits

Multiple repayment options*footnote 1
Deferred repayment, Interest repayment, or Fixed repayment.


Auto-debit discount
Get a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction when you enroll in and make monthly payments by auto debit.footnote 2

Borrow from $1,000 up to 100%
of the school-certified expenses.
*footnote 3


Cosigner release
Apply to release your cosigner from your loan after you graduate, make 12 on-time principal and interest payments, and meet certain credit requirements.footnote 4

No origination fee or prepayment penalty.footnote 5

* These benefits are only available with our Smart Option Student Loans and our suite of graduate loans.

Apply for an
Undergraduate or career training

Smart Option Student Loan® for:

Undergraduate students

For bachelor's and associate's degrees or a certificate at a degree-granting school

Variable rates: 5.54% - 15.70% APRfootnote 1 Fixed rates: 3.49% – 15.49% APRfootnote 1

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 10-15 year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 6

Career training students

For professional training and trade certificate courses (culinary, technical, etc.) at a non-degree-granting school

Variable rates: 5.54% - 16.46% APRfootnote 7 Fixed rates: 3.49% - 15.69% APRfootnote 7

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 10-15 year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 8

Apply for a
Graduate school loan

MBA Loan

Pay for your business school expenses as you pursue your Masters of Business Administration degree.

Variable rates: 5.54% - 14.97% APRfootnote 9 Fixed rates: 3.49% – 14.48% APRfootnote 9

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 15-year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 10

Medical School Loan

Pay for your medical degree expenses in allopathic, general, osteopathic, podiatric, radiology, sports, and veterinary medicine.

Variable rates: 5.54% - 14.96% APRfootnote 11 Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.46% APRfootnote 11

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 20-year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 12

Dental School Loan

Pay for your dental degree expenses in general dentistry, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics.

Variable rates: 5.54% - 14.96% APRfootnote 11 Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.47% APRfootnote 11

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 20-year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 13

Graduate School Loan for Health Professions

Pay for your health professions degree expenses in allied health, nursing, pharmacy, and other graduate-level health degrees.

Variable rates: 5.54% - 14.97% APRfootnote 9 Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.48% APRfootnote 9

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 15-year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 14

Law School Loan

Pay for your school and associated expenses as you study for your law degree.

Variable rates: 5.54% - 14.97% APRfootnote 15 Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.47% APRfootnote 15

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 15-year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 16 

Graduate School Loan

Pay for your school and associated expenses as you pursue your master’s or doctoral degree.

Variable rates: 5.54% - 14.97% APRfootnote 9 Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.48% APRfootnote 9

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. 15-year repayment term of principal and interest payments.footnote 17

a background image of a pale blue curve on the top edge and a white background below

Apply for an
After graduate school loan

Bar Study Loan

For expenses associated with fees and living costs as you study for the bar exam. Bar Study Loans are intended to cover expenses not included in your school’s cost of attendance.

Variable rates: 8.13% - 17.72% APRfootnote 18 Fixed rates: 7.01% - 15.26% APRfootnote 18

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. No origination fee or prepayment penalty.footnote 5 

Borrow from $1,000 up to $15,000

Bar Study Loans are intended to cover expenses not included in your school's cost of attendance.

Medical Residency and Relocation Loan

For expenses associated with taking board examinations, travel for interviews, and moving for your medical residency. Residency and Relocation Loans are intended to cover expenses not included in your school’s cost of attendance.

Variable rates: 7.94% - 13.34% APRfootnote 19 Fixed rates: 6.40% - 11.89% APRfootnote 19

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. No origination fee or prepayment penalty.footnote 5

Borrow from $1,000 up to $30,000

Medical Residency and Relocation Loans are intended to cover expenses not included in your school's cost of attendance.

Dental Residency and Relocation Loan

For expenses associated with taking board examinations, travel for interviews, and moving for your dental residency. Residency and Relocation Loans are intended to cover expenses not included in your school’s cost of attendance.

Variable rates: 7.94% - 13.34% APRfootnote 19 Fixed rates: 6.40% - 11.89% APRfootnote 19

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. No origination fee or prepayment penalty.footnote 5

Borrow from $1,000 up to $30,000

Dental Residency and Relocation Loans are intended to cover expenses not included in your school's cost of attendance.


footnote Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.

footnote Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote Graduate School Loan and Graduate School Loan for Health Professions are for graduate students at participating degree-granting schools and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote MBA Loans are for graduate students in an M.B.A. program at participating degree-granting schools and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote Medical School Loans are for graduate students in an M.D., D.O., D.V.M., V.M.D., or D.P.M. program at participating degree-granting schools and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Graduate Certificate/Continuing Education coursework is not eligible. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote Dental School Loans are for graduate students in a D.D.S. or D.M.D. program at participating degree-granting schools and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Graduate Certificate/Continuing Education coursework is not eligible. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote Law School Loans are for graduate students in a J.D. or L.L.M. program at participating degree-granting schools and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Graduate Certificate/Continuing Education coursework is not eligible. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote Bar Study Loans are for students who are enrolled at least half-time in their final year of study at a participating ABA-accredited law school or have graduated from one within the last 12 months. Students should be sitting for the bar exam no later than 12 months after graduation. This loan is subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and enrollment verification. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., graduate from, or attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote Residency and Relocation Loans are for students who are pursuing or have received a M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.P.M., D.V.M., or V.M.D. degree. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in their final year of study at a participating allopathic, osteopathic, podiatric, dental, or veterinary medicine school or have graduated from one within the past 12 months. This loan is subject to credit approval, identity verification, and signed loan documents. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., graduate from, or attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

footnote 1. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

footnote 2. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. 

footnote 3. For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.

footnote 4. Only the borrower may apply for cosigner release. To do so, they must first meet the age of majority in their state and provide proof of graduation (or completion of certification program), income, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (if their status has changed since they applied). In the last 12 months, the borrower can’t have been past due on any loans serviced by Sallie Mae for 30 or more days or enrolled in any hardship forbearances or modified repayment programs. In addition, the borrower must have paid ahead or made 12 on-time principal and interest payments on each loan requested for release. The loan can’t be past due when the cosigner release application is processed. The borrower must also demonstrate the ability to assume full responsibility of the loan(s) individually and pass a credit review when the cosigner release application is processed that demonstrates a satisfactory credit history including but not limited to no: bankruptcy, foreclosure, student loan(s) in default or 90-day delinquencies in the last 24 months. Requirements are subject to change. 

footnote 5. Although we do not charge you a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as provided in your promissory note: first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.

footnote 6.  Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 7. Advertised APRs for career training students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 2 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

footnote 8. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.73% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $160.63 and one payment of $107.39, for a Total Loan Cost of $19,897.36. For a borrower with $10,000 in prior loans and a 1-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.92% fixed APR, 15 payments of $25.00, 143 payments of $136.14 and one payment of $74.20 for a total loan cost of $19,917.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 9. Advertised APRs for Graduate School Loan, MBA Loans, and Graduate School Loan for Health Professions assume a $10,000 loan with a 2-year in-school period. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

footnote 10. Example of a typical transaction for a $10,000 MBA Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, and two disbursements. For borrowers with a 27-month in-school and separation period, it works out to 14.30% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 178 payments of $172.22 and one payment of $115.59, for a total loan cost of $31,445.75. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 15 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 11. Advertised APRs for Medical School Loan and Dental School Loan assume a $10,000 loan with a 4-year in-school period. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

footnote 12. Example of a typical transaction for a $10,000 Medical School Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, and two disbursements. For borrowers with a 81-month in-school and separation period, it works out to 10.13% fixed APR, 81 payments of $25.00, 238 payments of $161.86 and one payment of $97.02, for a total loan cost of $40,644.70. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 20 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 13. Example of a typical transaction for a $10,000 Dental School Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, and two disbursements. For borrowers with a 57-month in-school and separation period, it works out to 11.19% fixed APR, 57 payments of $25.00, 238 payments of $155.51 and one payment of $54.64, for a total loan cost of $38,491.02. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 20 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 14. Example of a typical transaction for a $10,000 Graduate School Loan for Health Professions with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, and two disbursements. For borrowers with a 27-month in-school and separation period, it works out to 14.30% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 178 payments of $172.22 and one payment of $115.59, for a total loan cost of $31,445.75. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 15 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 15. Advertised APRs for Law School Loan assume a $10,000 loan with a 3-year in-school period. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

footnote 16. Example of a typical transaction for a $10,000 Law School Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, and two disbursements. For borrowers with a 42-month in-school and separation period, it works out to 10.77% fixed APR, 42 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $146.82 and one payment of $65.13, for a total loan cost of $27,395.91. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 15 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 17. Example of a typical transaction for a $10,000 Graduate School Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, and two disbursements. For borrowers with a 27-month in-school and separation period, it works out to 14.30% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 178 payments of $172.22 and one payment of $115.59, for a total loan cost of $31,445.75. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 15 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

footnote 18. Advertised APRs for Bar Study Loan assume a $15,000 loan disbursed at the time of the student's graduation from school. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan.  Interest is charged starting when the funds are sent to you. Once principal and interest repayment begins, any Unpaid Interest will be added to Current Principal, increasing the Total Loan Cost. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

footnote 19. Advertised APRs for Residency and Relocation Loans assume a $30,000 loan disbursed at the time of student's graduation from school. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan.  Interest is charged starting when the funds are sent to you. For those who graduate, the grace period is 36 months. For those who withdrawal or whose attendance falls below half-time status, the grace period is 9 months. Once principal and interest repayment begins, any Unpaid Interest will be added to Current Principal, increasing the Total Loan Cost. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.

footnote SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

footnote Information advertised valid as of 10/12/2024.

footnote Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.

footnote Sallie Mae compensates partners for their referral of student loan customers.