See how many on-time payments you have left, and roughly when you'll be eligible to apply.
Most private lenders require a specific number of consecutive, on-time principal-and-interest payments before you're even eligible to apply for cosigner release — commonly 12, 24, or 48, depending on the lender. This tool simply subtracts what you've already made from what's required, and estimates the calendar month you'd hit that number if you keep paying on schedule from today. It doesn't guarantee approval — the payment count is the entry requirement, not the whole application.
Because lenders require consecutive on-time payments, a single late payment inside the required window typically resets your count back to zero, even if you'd made 20 out of 24 payments on time before it. If you've had a recent late payment, your countdown effectively restarts from your most recent on-time streak — double check your servicer's account portal for your actual current streak rather than relying on memory.
Where do I find how many payments my lender requires? Check your original promissory note, or log into your loan servicer's online account and look for a "cosigner release" section — most servicers list your specific requirement and current progress there directly.
Does a payment made a few days late still count as on-time? Most lenders consider a payment on-time if it's received by the due date, sometimes with a short grace period — but this varies. A genuinely late payment (typically 30+ days) will usually break your streak.
Can I make extra payments to reach my required number faster? Some lenders allow you to prepay a lump sum equal to the remaining required payments to qualify immediately — check whether your specific lender offers this.
What happens after I hit the required number of payments? Hitting the payment count makes you eligible to apply — it doesn't release your cosigner automatically. You'll still need to submit a formal application and pass a credit and income check.
Cosigner Release Requirements Compared — how requirements typically differ by lender.
Student Loan Calculator — see your current payment and payoff timeline.
How to Lower Your Student Loan Interest Rate — refinancing as an alternative path to removing a cosigner.