If a parent or relative cosigned your private student loan, you can usually get them removed once you've proven you can handle the loan on your own — but "usually" is doing a lot of work in that sentence, because every lender sets its own bar. Here's how the requirements typically compare, and what to check before you apply.
| Requirement | Typical range | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| On-time payment history | 6–36 consecutive payments (12 is most common) | Proves you can manage the loan reliably on your own before the cosigner is released |
| Credit check | Lenders' published loan minimums are mostly mid-to-upper 600s | Confirms your independent creditworthiness now, not just at original loan approval |
| Income/employment verification | Proof of stable income sufficient to cover payments | Shows you can afford the loan without your cosigner's income backing it up |
| Graduation requirement | Often required, though not universal | Some lenders only allow release after you've completed your degree or certificate |
| No recent delinquencies | Typically no 30+ day late payments in the last 12–24 months | Even one recent late payment can disqualify an otherwise-eligible application |
Published payment counts at specific lenders: Edly 6; Sallie Mae, SoFi (original loans only), Ascent and PenFed (refinance loans) 12; EdvestinU, Nelnet and RISLA 24; College Ave 30; Citizens 36; LendKey 12 to 36 depending on the lender in its network. Ascent also lists a $24,000 minimum income for release.
Exact thresholds vary by lender and can change — confirm your specific loan's current requirements directly with your servicer or in your promissory note before assuming any number above applies to you.
Prepayment can sometimes skip the wait. Several lenders allow you to make a lump-sum payment equal to the required number of on-time payments instead of waiting month by month — useful if you come into money (a bonus, tax refund, or gift) and want to fast-track the release rather than waiting years.
Cosigner release terms aren't federally standardized the way many student loan protections are — each private lender sets its own underwriting policy, and even the same lender can have different terms across different loan products or origination years. That's exactly why a neutral, side-by-side view matters more than any single lender's own page, which naturally only describes its own terms.
How many on-time payments do I typically need before applying for cosigner release? Between 6 and 36 consecutive on-time payments at the lenders we checked, with 12 the most common (Sallie Mae, SoFi, Ascent). EdvestinU, Nelnet and RISLA require 24, College Ave 30 and Citizens 36. Check your promissory note or servicer portal for your exact number.
Does applying for cosigner release hurt my credit score? The application itself typically involves a hard credit inquiry, which can cause a small, temporary dip — similar to applying for any other credit product.
What happens if my cosigner release application is denied? Most lenders allow you to reapply after a waiting period, often once you've built more payment history or improved your credit. Ask your servicer what caused the denial so you know what to fix.
Is refinancing an alternative to cosigner release? Yes — refinancing in your name only accomplishes the same goal, and can sometimes be easier to qualify for. The tradeoff: refinancing resets terms and, if the original loan was federal, permanently forfeits federal protections.
Cosigner Release Countdown Calculator — see how many payments you have left.
Student Loan Calculator — see your current payment and payoff timeline.
Federal vs. Private Student Loans — the broader borrowing decision.
How to Lower Your Student Loan Interest Rate — refinancing as a rate-reduction strategy.