Find a cosigner.
Get cheaper student loans.

Vetted international students in the U.S. and Canada can find eligible cosigners for flexible, lower-interest student loans and to build their credit.

For Students

For Cosigners

International students in the U.S. pay up to 3x annual interest rates on their student loans compared to others with cosigners. Now, Folk.

For students

Build your future anywhere

We empower you as an international student to get the best student loan deals so that you can focus squarely on your dreams and succeed anywhere.

For cosigners

Good credit meets great potential

Cosign promising students based on your preferences in proven disciplines and universities. Earn more in fees and APRs for supporting the people and causes that you believe in.

Cosigning benefits with Folk

Eligible cosigners

We ensure that cosigners meet lenders’ requirements and have you confirm when you are matched with them.

3x approval chances

Significantly increase your odds of getting approved with a cosigner than on your own as an immigrant.

Better loan rates

Strong cosigners help to get lower interest rates which reduce your monthly loan payments and save money.

Credit building

Establish a credit history when you make payments on time to boost your credit score and qualify for other loans.

Flexible payments

Lenders that require cosigners typically offer better repayment terms compared to non-cosigner options.

Best-rate lenders

Access lenders with the most competitive rates to guarantee your education and ease repayment.

3 simple steps to find or be a cosigner

Onboarding and connecting the right students with suitable cosigners quickly and seamlessly.

Complete profile

Ensure that you provide all relevant information required to determine your eligibility, then submit your matching request.

Get matched

Upon information verification, you make the choice to connect with and accept or reject matching recommendations.

Pay and apply

After accepting your match, students are required to pay the matching fee and accept clear terms to proceed with your loan application.

International students and cosigners love Folk

“Folk solves an important financial problem that affects both prospective and current international students. Minimizing student loan debt is a step in every right direction."

Emeka

Whitman MBA ‘25

"Helping you get the right student loan deals to pursue your career dreams is as brilliant as it is impactful. Folk helps you save money, time and stress."

Tope

Olin MBA ‘24

"In a new country with relatively fresh challenges, support from like-minded folks captures what Folk does. A real solution for international students."

Abolaji

Kogod MBA ‘23

FAQs

What does Folk do?

Folk matches vetted international students with eligible cosigners so that the students can leverage the cosigners’ credit-worthiness to get better student loan deals - at about half the rate of the non-cosigner options. The final matching decision rests solely on the cosigners and students.

Who is a cosigner for a student loan?

A student loan cosigner is a U.S./Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a strong credit history who signs the loan along with the student and agrees to share the legal responsibility of paying the loan back on time. As the primary borrower, the student is fully obligated to make their student loan repayments which have been made cheaper by the inclusion of the cosigner in the application.

Why do some students need a student loan cosigner?

Many students need a cosigner because they do not have a high enough credit score, or a sufficient credit history such as the case with international students. This is because most student lenders have credit-based underwriting practices where they check out a borrower’s credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and income before they lend money. Since students do not have this, having someone that does increases their chances of getting the loan, and on better terms.

How does having a cosigner help the student to build credit?

Timely repayments of the student loan that they have secured with the assistance of a cosigner help to form the foundation of their credit score and establish their credit history. It pays to pay on time as agreed.

What are the minimum student borrower requirements?

We are starting with enrolled full-time graduate students across T20 universities in the U.S. and Canadian Ivys including the University of Toronto, McGill University and The University of British Columbia. The student is requesting a loan of at least $1,000 with no past-due balances up to 365 days prior.

What are my responsibilities as a student borrower?

Your most important responsibility is to ensure that you make all payments on time so that it does not negatively affect your credit and your cosigner’s. Essentially, your cosigner is sticking their neck out for you only so that you can get the best possible loan deal based on their credibility. You are also required to activate a cosigner release under 24-36 months when you’ll have been expected to be properly settled.

What is the cost of getting a cosigner on Folk?

Students pay a one-time matching fee and an additional 3% APR until the cosigner is released. The total cost of borrowing with a Folk cosigner compared to the non-cosigner options is about half, providing cheaper loans for the students and an incentive to the cosigners.

Why should I be a cosigner on Folk?

You have a big opportunity to support high-potential students from countries, colleges and disciplines that you are passionate about. You are matched based on your preferences with low-risk students and terms (including Student Loan Forgiveness for Permanent Disability and Death of primary borrower) in proven industries and universities and will earn one-time matching fees and 2% APRs until you are released. You also get to increase your credit score from the students’ repayments.

What are the minimum cosigner requirements?

A student loan cosigner must be a U.S./Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a minimum credit score of 670, and a steady source of income from either a job, a business, or investments.

What are my responsibilities as a student loan cosigner?

Even though the student is the primary borrower, in the eyes of the law, both the cosigner and student are responsible for any missed payments or late payments over the duration of the loan (until the cosigner is released) which can impact both credit reports.

How does Folk minimize my risk as a cosigner?

We have ensured that only valid international graduate students from top universities in the U.S. and Canada can be matched. This underscores a lower dropout risk and faster repayment timelines due to their employability. Also, international students have proven to be more disciplined because of their immigration status and sacrifices. Please note that the final decision and associated risks are entirely yours.

What account access will you have as a cosigner?

Depending on the lender, you should have access to an online loan dashboard, access loan documents, and view details such as loan term, monthly payment amounts, and more. You will be able to check how the repayment process is going.

Will you be released from being a student loan cosigner?

Yes, the students are obligated to release you under 24-36 months. This is why we only support loan applications to lenders that offer cosigner release and match with students that are strongly positioned to meet the release requirements.

Can students refinance after securing a loan with a cosigner found on Folk?

Yes, but it depends on the lenders. Whatever the requirements, the cosigner will have to be released. However, students can get a cosigner on Folk to refinance existing loans.

Find a cosigner. Get cheaper student loans.