Which US banks lend money to international students

Only three types of lenders give student loans to international students in the US: banks/credit unions that accept a US co-signer, and two major non-bank lenders that do not require one. Traditional banks will not lend without a permanent‑resident or citizen co-signer with strong credit.

Banks that commonly lend if you have a US co-signer: Citizens Bank, Discover, Sallie Mae, PNC Bank, MPOWER only partially (co-signer not required but allowed). Non‑bank options without a co‑signer: MPOWER Financing and Prodigy Finance.

Which US banks lend to international students

• Citizens Bank: Offers student loans if an international student has a US citizen or permanent resident co-signer. Co-signer needs steady income and good credit (usually 680+). Loan can cover tuition and living costs.
• Discover Student Loans: Works with international students only with a qualified US co-signer. Known for flexible repayment options. No US co-signer means automatic denial.
• Sallie Mae: Allows international borrowers with a creditworthy US co-signer. They often prefer co-signers with long credit history.
• PNC Bank: Similar rules: requires a US co-signer who meets their income and credit standards.

Non‑bank lenders that do not require a co-signer

• MPOWER Financing: Designed for international students. No co-signer, no US credit history needed. They look at academic program, future earning potential, and immigration status. Interest rates are higher than banks.
• Prodigy Finance: Mostly for master’s programs. No co-signer needed. They base approval on future income projections rather than credit history.

Important details and how this works in practice

Co-signer requirement: Banks want someone legally tied to the US who will repay if you cannot. This is the biggest barrier for internationals.

Visa impact: Taking a loan does not affect a student visa, but falling behind on payments after graduation can harm future immigration applications because it damages credit and may trigger collections.

What the loans cover: Usually tuition, fees, and sometimes living costs. Funds often go directly to the university.

Realistic next steps: If you have a trusted US co-signer with good credit, compare Citizens, Discover, and Sallie Mae. If you do not have a co-signer, check MPOWER and Prodigy and confirm your school and program are eligible before applying.