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 36 (6 at Edly, 12 at Sallie Mae, SoFi and Ascent, 24 at Nelnet and RISLA, 30 at College Ave, 36 at Citizens), 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.
Reaching the required number of payments makes you eligible to apply, not approved. Lenders typically also review:
Requirements and the number of payments vary by lender and sometimes by loan. Your lender's cosigner release form lists the exact rules for your loan.
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| Cosigner release | Refinancing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | Stays the same | New rate |
| Wait | 6–36 payments | Any time |
| Credit needed | Yours alone | Yours alone |
| Loan type | Private only | Private or federal |
Refinancing into a new loan in your name alone also removes your cosigner, and it doesn't make you wait. The tradeoff: refinancing federal loans into a private loan permanently gives up federal protections such as income-driven repayment and forgiveness programs, so it only makes sense for private loans or for borrowers who are sure they won't need those protections.
Ask for the reason in writing. Lenders that deny a credit application generally have to tell you why. If it was credit score or income, keep paying on time and reapply once that changes; check whether the lender requires a waiting period first. If it was a late payment, your count starts again from the next on-time payment, so the date this calculator shows moves back by the number of payments you have to make up.
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.