It can be difficult to figure out how to pay for dental school. This is where dental school student loans can come into play.
according to American Student Dental AssociationThe average student loan debt balance for students graduating from dental school is $312,000.
Thankfully, graduate and dental school student loans are an option. The best loans offer attractive interest rates, flexible repayment options, and other features that can make dental school a little easier. Let’s learn about the best private dental school student loans to help finance your education.
What to look for in a dental school student loan?
The right student loans will help you tremendously as you make your way through dental school. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a dental school student loan:
- fees: : Each lender has a slightly different fee structure, which can have a big impact on your costs.
- Interest Rates: A slightly lower interest rate can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your loan.
- Length of loan tenure: Repayment deadlines will have a major impact on your financial situation after graduation. Ideally, you’ll find a term that balances an affordable monthly payment with a debt-free future.
- Borrower Protection: Some lenders have built-in protections to help you during a difficult financial situation.
Best Dental School Student Loans
The right dental school student loan for you will vary depending on your situation. To help you in your search, we’ve compiled some of the best dental school student loan options below.
federal student loans
The first place you should look for student loans is the Department of Education. Federal student loans offer better rates and borrower protections than private student loans. But when you need to withdraw more than the Department of Education allows, it’s time to consider your private student loan options.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. But there are upcoming limits on how much you can borrow – and this will have a significant impact on future dentists. Unless you have significant resources of your own, you will need much more than that.
For 2025-26, dental school students can still borrow uncapped federal Grad PLUS loans – and can do so for an additional three years. However, starting in the 2026-27 academic year, Grad PLUS loans are being phased out, and you can only borrow Federal Direct Graduate Loans.
For professional students (such as dental students), the limit is $50,000 annually and $200,000 lifetime.
Repayment begins six months after graduation. For the 2025-2026 school year, the interest rate on unsubsidized loans for graduate and professional students is 7.94%.
Also, check out our guide to the best student loans for graduate school.
Ascent
Ascent offers dental school loans with a total limit of $400,000 for graduate school loans. Specifically, the lender offers a 1% cash-back reward for borrowers, which the student will receive upon graduation.
Loans are available to both US citizens and international students. However, international students will need an eligible co-signer who is a resident of the US. To qualify for the loan, you or your co-borrower must have an annual income of at least $24,000 and meet certain credit requirements.
If approved, you can start making payments immediately at $25 or cover interest only. But you’ll also have the option to defer payments up to 12 months after graduation.
Read our full Ascent student loan review here.
College Avenue
Dental students enrolled in the DDS or DMD program can apply for College Avenue’s Dental School Loan. If you qualify, you can withdraw up to 100% of the costs of attending school, up to $150,000.
When you take out a loan through College Avenue, you will have the option to start paying immediately or defer your payments until 12 months after graduation. Payment may also be delayed after your residency. Loan tenure options include 5, 8, 10, 15, 20 years
International students are eligible to take these loans if they have a US Social Security number and a co-signer. Any student who signs with a co-signer will receive access to co-signer release options after paying for at least two years.
One final benefit is that you can take advantage of a 0.25% interest rate reduction by signing up for automatic payments. Generous grace periods and reasonable rates make College Avenue an attractive option.
Read our full review of College Avenue here.
Earnest
Ernest offers a graduate school loan, which can be used to cover the costs of dental school.
To qualify for a loan, you must have at least three years of credit history with no bankruptcies. you should also have FICO Score Minimum of Rs 650 and history of timely payments. If you don’t qualify yourself, you’ll have the option to add a cosigner. However, the co-signer cannot be released from the loan until you pay it off or refinance the loan.
After graduation, you will have a grace period of nine months before you have to start making payments. Plus, you’ll have the option to skip payments once each year without any penalty. This is a great benefit that can help you get your financial life on the right track after graduation.
Read our full review of Ernest here.
elfi admed
ELFI is one of the largest student loan originators, and as a result, they typically offer some of the lowest student loan rates available.
They offer extremely competitive rates with standard loan terms and conditions. You can borrow for 5 to 15 years, and they lend throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico.
For dental school students, the loan also includes a 9-month grace period and up to 96 months of residency deferment. It also offers cosigner releases.
Check out our full ELFI student loan review here.
sally mae
Sallie Mae offers dental school student loans for up to 100% of your school-certified expenses. After graduation, you will have up to 48 months of deferred payment until you complete your residency and fellowship.
The lender offers several repayment strategies, ranging from partial payments while in school to deferring payments entirely until graduation. But choosing to pay during dental school will reduce the interest rate.
If you need the help of a co-signer to qualify for the loan, you can apply for their release after paying the principal and interest in 12 timely manner.
In addition to dental school loans, Sallie Mae offered dental residency and rehabilitation loans. This additional loan can help you cover the expenses of traveling to interviews, relocation and appearing for your board exams.
Read our full Sallie Mae review here.
bottom line
The best dental school student loans are designed to help students overcome the challenges of obtaining an advanced degree. And depending on the loan provider, you may be able to take advantage of lower rates and additional loan repayment flexibility.
No matter which student loan provider you choose, remember to only borrow what you need. Although you can expect to earn a higher income in the dental profession, you will experience debt relief much sooner by reducing the amount of money you need to borrow during school.
