While studying in the United States can be incredibly exciting, paying for it as an international student without a Social Security Number (SSN) can be confusing. But don’t worry. In this article, we’ll break down the student loan process for international students with no SSN. That way, you can feel confident in your borrowing decisions.
Jump Ahead > Why Most Student Loans Require an SSN • Federal Aid with No SSN • Private Loans with No SSN • Best Student Loans with No SSN
What is a Social Security Number?
A Social Security Number, or SSN, is a nine-digit number used by the United States Social Security Administration to identify citizens and legal residents. SSNs were once used strictly to track citizens’ employment income to gauge their eligibility for retirement benefits. Now, SSNs are used for a variety of additional purposes such as taxes and banking.
You may see Social Security Numbers referred to as “taxpayer identification numbers.” These two terms are often used interchangeably because SSNs are used to identify individuals on all tax-related documents.
What is an ITIN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a ten-digit number used to identify taxpayers who do not have a Social Security Number. ITINs are intended to be used for federal tax purposes, but are useful during the student loan process.
The IRS will assign you an ITIN regardless of immigration status. The IRS uses information you provide such as drivers licenses, immigration papers, passports, and birth certificates to confirm your identity before issuing you an ITIN. The ITIN you receive can be used to apply for student loans without an SSN.
Why Do Most Student Loans Require an SSN?
Federal student loans are issued by the United States Federal Government. Thus, the aid is intended for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens. In order to qualify for federal aid, the government uses SSNs to ensure borrowers do in fact belong to one of these categories.
When taking out a private student loan, lenders typically check your credit score. In order to check your credit score with the three major credit bureaus, lenders need your SSN. Because the majority of private student lenders use credit scores to determine borrowing eligibility, the majority do require SSNs. However, there are lenders that don’t require SSNs.
>> MORE: What credit score is required for a student loan?
Can International Students Get Student Loans Without an SSN?
International students with no SSN can get student loans. In order to qualify for federal student aid, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. For a private student loan, you will have several options.
How to Get Federal Aid with No SSN
You must be considered an “eligible noncitizen” to qualify for federal student aid without an SSN. You are an eligible noncitizen if you identify with one of the following categories:
>> MORE: FAFSA requirements: Everything you need to know
- You are a:
- U.S. National (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island)
- U.S. Permanent Resident with a Green Card (Form I-551, I-151, or I-551C).
- You have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) that designates you as a:
- Refugee
- Asylum Granted
- Cuban-Haitian Entrant
- Conditional Entrant (if issued before April 1, 1980)
- Parolee (with specific conditions)
- You or your parent hold a T-Visa (for victims of human trafficking)
- You are a Battered Immigrant-Qualified Alien (for victims of abuse by your citizen or permanent resident spouse)
- You are a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, or the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Undocumented students, including DACA recipients, are not eligible for federal student aid.
When filling out the FAFSA as an eligible noncitizen, you will be asked for your Alien Registration number. The number you provide will be run through the Department of Homeland Security’s database to verify your identity. If they do not have your number on record, they will ask you to provide additional documentation to prove your identity and your student status. You will not be able to receive federal student aid until this process is complete.
If you are an international student who does not identify as an eligible noncitizen, you are not eligible for federal student aid.
>> MORE: Most common FAFSA errors to avoid when applying
How to Get Private Student Loans with No SSN
Most private student lenders require borrowers to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and thus, require an SSN. However, there are several lenders that don’t.
The easiest way to get a private student loan as an international student with no SSN is to have a U.S. cosigner. A cosigner is an individual who signs onto the loan with you. By doing so, the cosigner takes responsibility for the loan should you be unable to make payments.
Having a U.S. cosigner will provide you with a wider selection of lenders to choose from and typically, lower interest rates. If you do have access to a U.S. cosigner, pursue cosigned loan options first.
That said, most international students do not have access to a U.S. cosigner. The good news? There are international student loan options that do not require a cosigner. Non-cosigned international student loans may ask for your ITIN in lieu of an SSN.
>> MORE: Can I get an international student loan without a cosigner?
Best Student Loans for International Students with No SSN
The best student loan as an international student will always be the one who works best for you. However, these are our top picks for international students with no SSN.
>> MORE: Compare international student loan rates across different lenders
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International Student Loans With a Cosigner
Ascent offers traditional cosigned credit-based loans for international students. With a qualifying U.S. cosigner, international students can be eligible for Ascent private student loans.
College Ave offers traditional cosigned credit-based loans for international students. In order to be eligible to borrow with College Ave, borrowers must have a Social Security Number and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner.
Earnest offers traditional cosigned credit-based loans for international students. In order to be eligible to borrow with Earnest, borrowers must apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner. The borrower must also have a physical address in the United States and a Social Security Number.
Sallie Mae offers traditional cosigned credit-based loans for international students. In order to be eligible to borrow with Sallie Mae, borrowers must apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen cosigner.
International Student Loans Without a Cosigner
>> MORE: Best international student loans without a cosigner
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See a rate you like? Click Apply and we’ll take you to the right place to get started with the lender of your choosing.
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MPOWER offers non-cosigned student loans to international students and does not require borrowers to have a credit history or a cosigner. Instead of using your credit history to determine your eligibility, MPOWER uses information such as your future income potential.
Prodigy Finance offers non-cosigned student loans to international students and does not require borrowers to have a high credit score or a cosigner. Instead, they use information such as your credit history and future income potential to determine your eligibility.
Final Thoughts from the Nest
There are various loan options for international students with no SSN. While federal aid may not be an option for you, private student loans are a great way to fill in the gaps.
To check your eligibility with each of these private lenders, complete Sparrow’s application. Sparrow allows you to search for and compare loan options side-by-side. We’ll show you all of the lenders you qualify with, regardless of whether you have an SSN or a cosigner.
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