During a recent fireside chat, the songwriter reflected on creativity, collaboration, and why discipline matters more than waiting for the perfect idea.
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How Andres Martinez Used Co-Living to Build a 14-Property Portfolio
|
Name |
Andres Martinez |
|---|---|
| Location | Dallas, Texas |
| Occupation | Full-time real estate investor (former waiter and jazz musician) |
| Assets | 14 properties (10 owned, four under management), 107 co-living rooms, ~$27,000/month gross portfolio cash flow |
| Investment strategy | Wholesaling, co-living conversions, in-house general contracting, 50/50 capital partnerships |
| Financing |
Subject-to purchases, private partner capital, HELOC second-position financing |
Andres Martinez studied jazz in college, waited tables for years, and never considered real estate until a mortgage rate hike locked him out of buying a house with his wife in late 2023.
Determined to find another way in, he fell down a rabbit hole of creative financing and started cold-calling every listing on Zillow, sometimes 500 to 600 calls a day. His first deal was a wholesale assignment that took nine months and nearly broke him before it paid off.
From there, Andres discovered co-living, a strategy of renting properties out room by room, and rebuilt his entire business around it. Two years later, he owns 10 properties, manages four more, and takes home $12,000 to $14,000 a month while leaving the house once or twice a week.
Here’s how he built it.
Your first deal took hundreds of cold calls and nine months to close. Walk us through what actually happened.
I couldn’t qualify for a mortgage once rates jumped to 7.5%, so I started calling every single listing on Zillow, asking about seller financing and subject-to deals. After about 500 to 600 calls, I found my first deal and wholesaled it for a $10,000 assignment fee.
My next deal took nine months of nothing but nos, calling 200 to 300 people a day, and getting fired from my restaurant job twice for taking seller calls during shifts.
I’d actually given up two weeks before it finally happened: A seller who’d told me no months earlier texted me back because the person under contract with him couldn’t close, and he was already behind on payments. That became my first real proof that the process worked.
What made you pivot from wholesaling into co-living?
I passed on a deal where another investor wanted to add 10 rooms to a house, since I thought it sounded like he was going to overextend himself financially to do it. But it planted a question in my head about room rentals in general. Through my real estate mastermind, I learned co-living was a real, replicable strategy, not something sketchy.
Shortly after, I found a five-bedroom, three-bathroom house in pre-foreclosure through an agent at a meetup that nobody else wanted because they didn’t understand co-living. I put it under contract for $3,000 down using a subject-to structure, taking over the seller’s existing payments instead of getting a new mortgage.
That first co-living conversion needed real renovation money. How did you fund it, and what went wrong?
I needed about $58,000 to add three more bedrooms, redo the flooring, and furnish the property. A partner offered to bring all the capital in exchange for a 50/50 split, with me managing the project.
My contractor ended up stealing money and not finishing the work, and the subcontractors she’d hired hadn’t been paid, so I ended up covering roughly $40,000 out of pocket to redo the flooring myself and finish the renovation.
Once it opened, I rented rooms for $800 to $850 each, with one private-bathroom room at $1,000, bringing in about $6,500 a month gross against a $2,100 mortgage, taxes, and insurance. That netted around $2,700 to $2,800 a month from a single property.
After getting burned by contractors twice, how did you fix that gap in your business?
On my second co-living deal, an eight-bedroom house with an ADU, the same pattern happened: My new contractor’s crew leader ended up doing the actual work while the contractor herself disappeared without paying anyone.
Instead of finding a third contractor, I offered that crew leader steady work if he helped me learn construction directly: tile, drywall, and flooring. I became my own general contractor from that point forward, which let me finish renovations in about two weeks instead of the standard six to eight, since I kept one crew moving through a single property instead of splitting their time across multiple job sites.
That skill set became a business of its own. I’ve now GCed 29 co-living conversions for other investors in addition to running my own portfolio.
What do people misunderstand about co-living as a business model?
The biggest myth is that it’s a passive strategy with constant turnover and tenant conflicts. I target working adults making enough to need housing but not enough to rent their own place, and I always start on a month-to-month lease so either side can walk away cleanly before committing to a full year.
Once a house stabilizes, turnover mostly disappears. I have tenants from my very first property who just signed another one-year lease.
The other misconception is that a co-living conversion locks you out of a normal resale. Since I only add interior walls and drywall, not permanent structural changes, converting a property back to a standard layout costs about $3,000 to $4,000, which keeps my exit options open to any buyer, not just another co-living investor.
Amazon Pixel 11 Deal: Up to $350 Gift Card + Extra $150 Off
Amazon Pixel 11 Deal: Up to $350 Gift Card + $150 Off
This article contains Amazon affiliate links.
Amazon is running a limited-time promotion on select Google Pixel 11 phones.
Eligible models come with an Amazon gift card worth up to $350, and you can also use promo code PIXEL11 for an extra $150 off select devices.
The promo page shows several Pixel 11 configurations, including Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold models. Gift card amounts vary by phone and configuration, with some models offering $250 or $350 Amazon gift cards alongside the additional coupon savings.
The offer is valid through August 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT, while supplies last, and is limited to two uses per customer.
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this article. Using links on the site for Amazon purchases is the best way you can support the site as you normally can’t earn cash back for these purchases. But, you should still check shopping portals such as Rakuten, TopCashback, RebatesMe, ShopBack and others for possible cashback. Your support is always greatly appreciated!
If I Could Tell Everyone 1 Thing About the Stock Market, It’s This: It Will Crash
For best results when investing, take time to learn a lot about the stock market and about how to invest effectively. Alternatively, you can opt out of that and stick with low-fee, broad-market index funds, such as S&P 500 index funds, which can also build your wealth powerfully.
Either way, here’s one key thing every investor should know about the stock market: It will crash now and then.
Image source: Getty Image.
Portfolio values don’t go up in a straight line. The line will be jagged, marked by occasional corrections and occasional crashes. Corrections are drops of at least 10% from recent highs, and drops of 20% or more are considered a crash.
Here are some things to know about market pullbacks:
- They’re not infrequent. According to my colleague Trevor Jennewine, “Since 2010, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite have dropped into correction territory 10 times (once every 18 months) and 14 times (once every 13 months), respectively.”
- Crashes, followed by bear markets, are less frequent. Bear markets happen, on average, about every 3.5 years.
- They don’t necessarily last a long time. The average length of a bear market, since 1928, has been 11.4 months, according to Yardeni Research.
- The stock market has lost about 35%, on average, in bear markets, says The Hartford Funds, while bull markets have averaged gains of 111%.
- Recoveries can be strong. Jennewine writes: “Since 2010, following the S&P 500’s first close in correction territory, the index has returned an average of 18% during the next year and 38% during the next two years.”
What should you do?
Instead of worrying about a market crash, simply prepare for one:
- Don’t keep any money in stocks that you might need within at least five years.
- Consider holding on to a bunch of healthy dividend-paying stocks and value stocks, as they can be more stable than high-flying growth stocks when there’s a market pullback.
- Consider keeping a modest portion of your portfolio in cash, to take advantage of great stocks on sale after a market crash.
Pope Leo XIV on AI’s new ‘form of domination’: it risks becoming a tool of ‘economic colonialism’
Pope Leo XIV warned that artificial intelligence risks becoming a new form of “economic colonialism,” deepening the gap between wealthy and poor nations, and said algorithms are already creating “a subtle form of domination” over who gets seen and heard.
“We must remain vigilant in this regard,” Leo told the network of officeholders who make up the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) on Friday. “Lest innovation become another vehicle for ideological or economic colonialism.” He warned that AI’s rapid development risks leaving poorer countries increasingly dependent on wealthier ones for the technology.
He went further, describing what he called “a subtle form of domination when algorithms decide who is seen, and who remains invisible, when digital platforms shape public discourse without accountability, and when the dignity of workers is subordinated to the optimization of systems.” Such developments, he said, “reveal a new face of the ancient temptation to domination and mastery without service.”
To guard against that, Leo called for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility,” so that “no single ideology or interest dictates the values embedded in artificial intelligence systems.” The pope’s words to call for a responsible political system echoes language he has used before in tension with the Trump administration’s deregulatory approach to AI. President Donald Trump has pushed to loosen federal AI rules and repealed the Biden administration’s AI executive order in January 2025. When Leo released “Magnifica Humanitas” in May, dubbed the pope’s “AI encyclical,” the Trump administration was split in response when Vice President JD Vance praised it and others dismissed the warning.
Since that time, the pope said AI and technology at large decreases the interactions and relationships people have with one another. This in turn is causing marriage and birth rates to decrease as the ages people reach these milestones increase, if at all. AI, the pope warned, “must never be allowed to erode” the family, and it does so by “reducing persons and relationships to data and simulations,” by “flooding young minds with content that distorts desire,” and through “economic models that make family life economically precarious.”
A redelivery of the church’s stance
The address built on his first encyclical, which made AI’s effect on human dignity, labor and family life the centerpiece of his papacy’s early teaching. Christopher Hale, a political consultant and founder of the newsletter Letters from Leo, said Friday’s remarks were less a new position than a redelivery of ideas already laid out in the encyclical.
“No one reads a 200-page encyclical,” Hale told Fortune. “Oftentimes what will happen is over weeks and months the pope will reveal different parts of that encyclical.” The pope’s Friday’s remarks were in gist a reiteration of his first encyclical—but the point is who it is redelivering the point.
Hale said Leo’s religious authority gives him standing that other AI critics lack in confronting the technology industry.
“Silicon Valley has an opponent that operates on a terrain that they’re not used to,” Hale said. “They’re used to dealing in transactional relationships, but Leo XIV represents something of a quagmire for them because he cannot be bought off, he cannot be terrorized, he can’t be indicted, he can’t be deported.”
Hale added that pairing AI criticism with religious language broadens its reach beyond activists already skeptical of the technology.
“When this language is combined with moral language, with religious language, what it does is it takes a leftist critique that might have marginal support in the United States and makes it mainstream,” he said.
Hale pointed to the backlash against AI data centers as evidence that opposition to the industry already cuts across party lines, even without a shared political language to unite it.
“If you look at the criticism of AI data centers, particularly over the summer, they’re really coming from all factions, from the left and the right,” Hale said. “What’s been hard about it, though, is that there has yet to be a language that can combine the two.”
“He strangely represents the fusion of the populist left and the populist right,” Hale said. “That’s what makes him so powerful.”
Is AI Pushing Mortgage Rates Higher?
A lot of the recent uptick in mortgage rates has been attributed to the ongoing war with Iran.
But there is perhaps another, lesser known reason mortgage rates have pushed back into the high 6s.
And it’s all the artificial intelligence (AI) spending, which has arguably crowded out other investments, leading to higher bond yields.
When this happens, it increases the supply of bonds that compete with Treasuries and mortgage securities for investor capital.
And that can put even more upward pressure on rates. But perhaps over the long run it’ll do the opposite.
How AI Is Making Your Mortgage Rate Higher
- AI companies need lots of money right now for their build out
- They borrow funds by issuing corporate bonds
- Buyers of these bonds only have so much money to invest
- And also invest in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities (MBS)
- High bond supply is forcing these companies to offer higher yields
- That means MBS have to offer higher yields as well to attract investors
- And that can lead to higher interest rates on home loans too
As laid out above, AI spending is off the charts lately.
And in order to fund all the spending, these companies are issuing bonds.
So-called “hyperscalers” like Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle have been spending hundreds of billions each year to build out data enters and related infrastructure.
And a lot of these costs are being financed by large investment-grade corporate bond sales.
To put it in context, U.S. hyperscaler bond issuance has risen “from 2% of total USD investment-grade issuance between 2022 and 2024 to an expected 9% in 2026,” per J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
And just this year, hyperscalers have issued a whopping $219 billion in “investment-grade bonds” to fund these massive projects.
When it comes down to it, there’s only so much capital available, and if a ton of it is being allocated to build data centers, there’s less available for things like mortgage lending.
This means when someone does want to apply for a home loan, the rate will be higher, all else equal.
You’re essentially competing for those borrowing dollars with AI companies, which drives up the rate of interest.
The same investors who are buying these AI-backed bonds also buy things like Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities (MBS).
To attract these investors, they have to increase the yield (interest rate) to remain competitive.
Otherwise these investors, whether they’re banks, insurance companies, or pension funds, will just invest in those tech bonds instead.
How much is another question. Maybe it’s only .125% higher.
So if the 30-year fixed is 6.75% today, perhaps it’d be a slightly less unattractive 6.625%.
But there’s an argument it could be even larger, perhaps 0.25% or more.
And ultimately any increase in rates is impactful given how poor housing affordability is at the moment.
It’s yet another reason why interest rates remain elevated and the old “higher for longer” adage remains in play.
Eventually AI Could Push Mortgage Rates Lower
While massive AI investment might be piling upward pressure on interest rates now, the opposite could play out later.
It’s one of the arguments new Fed chair Kevin Warsh made a while back, saying productivity gains could prove to be disinflationary and allow the Fed to cut rates instead of raise them.
Of course, a lot of people are skeptical at the moment, but only time will tell how it actually plays out.
If the theory proves to be true, bond yields and mortgage rates could drift lower over time.
In addition, AI-driven processes could simply make mortgages cheaper to produce, eliminating a lot of costs with the savings passed on to consumers.
However, that might take years to play out and isn’t very practical to a prospective home buyer today.
Nor an existing homeowner with a 7% mortgage rate looking to get some relief with a rate and term refinance.
So while AI might eventually lead to lower mortgage rates, the build out could be exacerbating things at the moment.
(photo: Robert Scoble)
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Capital One Shopping: Get 50% Back at CVS.com
The Offer
Check your Capital One Shopping homepage and emails and your Capital One Offers in the login for the following offer:
- Get 40% or 45% or 50% back at CVS.com.
I’m seeing 40% on the homepage and got an email offer for 45%. Capital One Offers in the login likely has similar offers.
The Fine Print
- Orders deemed by CVS to be used for reselling purposes, that are over $500 in order amount or include a quantity of more than 8 of the same SKU are not eligible.
- Not eligible for purchases of gift cards.
- Use of promotional codes not provided by Capital One may invalidate your offer.
Our Verdict
Not sure if there’s anything worth buying at CVS.com, but maybe some creatives will find this worthwhile. Stack with Chase Offer for additional 10% back.
As always, keep in mind that Capital One Shopping portal does not require having a Capital One card or bank account. Also remember that the rewards are not cash but rather they cash out as gift cards for various brands.
Best Student Loan Rates for August 25, 2026: College Ave Leads at 1.94%
Student loan rates have are getting even more competitive as peak back to school season starts. As of August 25, 2026, private student loan lenders are offering fixed rates as low as 1.94% APR and variable rates starting as low as 3.03% APR, depending on credit profile, degree program, and repayment term.
College Ave is currently offer the lowest fixed rate loan available. Student Choice is currently offering the lowest variable rate student loan available.
While federal student loan rates are set annually by Congress, private lenders continue to adjust based on market conditions and Treasury yields. Staying current on these changes can save borrowers hundreds (or even thousands) over the life of a loan.
💰 Today’s Best Student Loan Rates At a Glance
Here are the best private student loan rates today:
|
Lender |
Fixed APR |
Variable APR |
Cosigner Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Abe® Student Loans |
2.08% – 16.58% |
3.38% – 16.06% |
No |
|
Ascent Student Loans |
2.19% – 17.26% |
3.64% – 16.30% |
No |
|
College Ave |
1.94% – 17.99% |
3.89% – 17.99% |
Yes |
|
Sallie Mae |
1.95% – 17.49% |
3.75% – 16.95% |
No |
|
Student Choice |
2.99% – 14.74% |
3.03% – 15.00% |
Optional |
1. Abe® Student Loans – Abe offers private student loans to a undergraduate, graduate, and post-bachelor graduate certificate students, with flexible repayment options and no origination, late payment, or forbearance fees. Rates start as low as 2.08% APR. Read our full Abe Student Loans review.
2. Ascent Student Loans – Ascent offers private student loans with some of the lowest rates, currently starting at 2.19% APR. They even offer no-cosigner options for undergraduates. Read our full Ascent Student Loans review.
3. College Ave – College Ave Student Loans offers some of the lowest fixed rates on student loans on the market today. They are one of the largest private student loan lenders, and have highly competitive rates on their loans. Rates start as low as 1.94% APR. Read our full College Ave Student Loans review.
4. Sallie Mae – Sallie Mae is probably one of the most well-known lenders on this list. They are the nation’s largest private student loan lender by loan volume. As a result, they also offer some of the most competitive private student loans and parent loans out there. Rates start as low as 1.95% APR. Read our full Sallie Mae review.
5. Student Choice – Student Choice is a service that works with a huge network of credit unions nationwide to match you with low cost student loans offered by credit unions. They currently have some of the lowest variable rate student loans on the market. Rates start as low as 2.99% APR for fixed rates and 3.03% APR for variable rate loans. Read our full Student Choice Student Loans review.
Federal Loans: Remember, the federal student loan interest rates are fixed. They won’t change again until the next academic year.
- Undergraduate Direct: 6.52%
- Graduate Direct: 8.07%
- Parent PLUS Loans: 9.07%
You can find a full list of the best private student loans here >>
Fixed vs. Variable Rates: Which Should You Choose?
There’s a lot of uncertainty that borrowers don’t like with variable rates, which can make sense, but in a declining rate environment, it also opens the potential for future savings. Here’s what to know:
- Fixed rates stay the same for the life of the loan, offering predictable monthly payments. They’re better for borrowers who plan to repay over many years.
- Variable rates can change with market conditions, starting lower but carrying risk if the Fed raises rates again. They can make sense for borrowers who expect to pay off loans quickly.
Most private lenders allow you to check rates without affecting your credit score. Always compare both options before signing.
What To Know Before Borrowing
Before taking out a private student loan, make sure you understand exactly what you’re signing up for.
- Cosigner rules: Most undergraduates need a cosigner – which is someone (usually a parent) that is just as legally responsible for the loan. Check for early cosigner release after consistent on-time payments.
- Repayment flexibility: Look for lenders offering in-school deferment, interest-only options, or income-based repayment.
- Discounts: Many lenders provide 0.25% off for autopay.
- Fees: Compared to federal loans, private loans offer fewer fees – including no origination fees.
- Safety: Federal loans offer loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment plans. Exhaust federal options before turning to private loans.
For most families, borrowing federal student loans first makes the most sense. However, for parents looking at parent PLUS vs. private loans, private loans can make more sense.
How We Track And Verify Student Loan Rates
At The College Investor, our editorial team reviews student loan rates daily from more than a dozen major lenders. We verify data using official lender disclosures, regulatory filings, and real-time rate sheets.
We only include lenders offering loans to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. All rates are updated regularly and represent the lowest available APRs with autopay discounts applied.
Our coverage is independent and not influenced by compensation. While we may earn a referral fee when you open a loan through certain links, this never affects our editorial recommendations. Our goal is simple: to help you find the most affordable path to borrow responsibly.
FAQs
How often do private student loan rates change?
Lenders can adjust daily based on bond market movements and Federal Reserve actions, as well as their own competitive goals.
Are private student loans fixed or variable?
You can choose either. Fixed rates offer stability, while variable rates change with the market.
Do private student loans qualify for forgiveness?
No. Only federal student loans are eligible for forgiveness programs like PSLF or IBR.
Is a cosigner always required?
Not always, but most undergraduate borrowers will need one to qualify.
Can I refinance later if rates drop?
Yes. Refinancing can reduce your rate and monthly payment, though you’ll lose federal benefits if you refinance federal loans.
Abe Student Loans
Before applying for a private student loan, DR Bank and Monogram LLC recommend exhausting all financial aid alternatives including grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.
The Abe® student loan is made by DR Bank, Member FDIC (“Lender”). All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to Lender’s underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. LENDER AND MONOGRAM LLC EACH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. TERMS, CONDITIONS AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
* In order to estimate your available rates and loan options, with your authorization, DR Bank will initiate a soft credit inquiry. Soft credit inquiries do not affect your credit. Any rates and loan options offered to you are estimates only.
1Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates): Interest rates and APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) depend upon (1) the student’s and cosigner’s (if applicable) credit histories, (2) the rate type selected, (3) the repayment option and repayment term selected, (4) the expected number of years in deferment, (5) type of degree program, and (6) the requested loan amount. Rates and terms are effective as of 08/12/2026. The variable interest rate for each calendar month is calculated by adding the 30-Day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) index plus a fixed margin assigned to each loan. The current SOFR index, published on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is 3.625% as of 08/01/2026. The applicable index or margin for variable rate loans may change over time and result in a different APR than shown. The fixed rate assigned to a loan will never change except as required by law or if you request and qualify for an interest rate discount, or receive In-School Default Protection (see footnote 3). APRs displayed as a range: APRs assume a $10,000 loan with one disbursement. The undergraduate and graduate low fixed and variable rate APRs assume a 5-year term and the Immediate Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement via auto pay (see footnote 2 for auto pay details). The undergraduate high fixed and variable rate APRs assume a 20-year term; the graduate high fixed rate APR assumes a 20year term and the graduate high variable rate APR assumes a 5year term. The undergraduate and graduate fixed rate and graduate variable rate high APRs assume the Interest Only Repayment option, a thirty-seven-month deferment period, and a six-month grace period before entering repayment. Undergraduate variable rate high APR assumes the Immediate Repayment option with payments beginning 30-60 days after the disbursement. .
2Autopay Discount: Earn a 0.25% interest rate reduction for making automatic payments from a bank account (“auto pay discount”) by completing the direct debit form accessible on the Servicer’s website. The auto pay discount is in addition to other discounts. The auto pay discount will be applied after the Servicer validates your bank account information. Automatic payments and the associated discount will be temporarily discontinued (1) if you elect to stop automatic deduction of payments and (2) during periods when you are not required to make payments. The discount will be permanently discontinued in the event three automatic deductions are returned by the financial institution for any reason.
3 In-school Default Protection: Interest Only or Flat Payment Repayment loans that reach at least 90 days delinquent during an in-school deferment period will automatically transition to the Full Deferment Repayment option. Under these circumstances, the interest rate on an original Interest Only loan will increase by one percentage point (1.00%) and the interest rate on an original Flat Payment Repayment loan will increase by one quarter of one percentage point (0.25%). Credit reporting prior to the transition of a loan to the Full Deferment Repayment option will remain on your record. Any unpaid accrued interest at the end of an in-school deferment period may be capitalized in accordance with the Credit Agreement.
4 Loan Amounts: The minimum loan amount is $1,000, except for (a) student applicants who are permanent residents of Iowa in which case the minimum loan amount is $1,001, and (b) student applicants or cosigners who are permanent residents of Massachusetts in which case the minimum loan amount is $6,001. The maximum loan amount to cover in-school expenses for each academic year is determined by the school’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid, as certified by the school. The requested loan amount cannot cause an individual applicant’s aggregate education loan debt (which includes federal and private student loans) to exceed $300,000 per student applicant applying for an undergraduate loan, $350,000 per student applicant applying for a graduate, graduate certificate, Healthcare Professionals, Law or MBA loan, or $500,000 per student applicant applying for a Medical or Dental loan. The requested loan amount cannot cause the aggregate education loan debt of a cosigner, applying jointly for an Abe loan, to exceed $999,999.99.
5 Loan Terms: The 15- and 20- year term and Flat Payment Repayment option (paying $25 per month during in-school deferment) are only available for loan amounts of $5,000 or more. Making interest only or flat interest payments during deferment will not reduce the principal balance of the loan. Payment examples all assume a 20-month deferment period, a six-month grace period before entering repayment, no auto pay discount, a fixed interest rate, and the Flat Payment Repayment option. Abe Undergraduate Loans: 5-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 5-year repayment term (60 months) and a 9.00% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $237.24. 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months) and a 9.15% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $185.38. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and a 9.27% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $147.30. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 9.41% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $119.80. 20-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 20-year repayment term (240 months) and a 9.53% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $107.99. Abe Graduate Loans: 5-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 5-year repayment term (60 months) and a 9.46% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $242.30. 7-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 7-year repayment term (84 months) and a 9.62% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $190.10. 10-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 10-year repayment term (120 months) and a 9.74% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $151.87. 15-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with a 15-year repayment term (180 months) and a 9.89% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $124.45. 20-year term: $10,000 loan, one disbursement, with, a 20-year repayment term (240 months) and a 10.01% APR would result in a monthly principal and interest payment of $112.83.
6 The student borrower has meet certain credit and other criteria, and 12 consecutive monthly principal and interest payments or lump sum payments equal to 12 monthly principal and interest payments must have been received by the Servicer during any 12-month period. While a loan is in a reduced repayment plan or while a request for a reduced payment plan is pending, borrowers are not eligible to apply for cosigner release.
7 The grace period is six months. The grace period begins on the earlier of the date (a) the student borrower graduates, (b) the student borrower ceases to be enrolled, or (c) that is 60 months from the first disbursement date, but in no case, earlier than six months after the first disbursement date. The immediate repayment option does not have a grace period.
Abe is a registered trademark of Monogram LLC.
Monogram LLC is not an affiliate of DR Bank.
Ascent Student Loans
* Ascent Funding, LLC products are made available through Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent’s Terms and Conditions please visit AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 8/15/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount (ACH). The ACH discount consists of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, seerepayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.
The following examples for a $10,000 loan show a 48-month in-school period plus 9 months of grace prior to a full repayment term for 60-months (variable rate), with examples of (i) Interest Only payments, (ii) $25 Minimum payments, (iii) Deferred repayment, and (iv) Immediate Repayment options.
* Interest Only Repayment: 5.85% APR, with 57 payments of $48.75 while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $192.65 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $14,338.61.
* $25 Minimum Payment: 6.48% APR, with 57 payments of $25.00 while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $233.37 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $15,427.06.
* Deferred Repayment: 6.67% APR, with no payment while in-school/grace, 60 payments of $269.21 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $16,137.16.
* Immediate Repayment: 3.60% APR, with 60 payments of $182.37, and a total cost of $10,942.30.
The following examples for a $10,000 loan show a 48-month in-school period plus 9 months of grace prior to a full repayment term for 180-months (highest variable rate), with examples of (i) Interest Only payments, (ii) $25 Minimum payments, (iii) Deferred repayment, and (iv) Immediate Repayment options.
* Interest Only Repayment: 16.26% APR, with 57 payments of $135.42 while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $148.66 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $34,476.99.
* $25 Minimum Payment: 15.03% APR, with 57 payments of $25.00 while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $256.16 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $47,530.48.
* Deferred Repayment: 15.23% APR, with no payment while in-school/grace, 180 payments of $290.4 during the repayment term, and a total cost of $51,470.36.
* Immediate Repayment: 16.01% APR, with 180 payments of $146.93, and a total cost of $26,445.92.
College Ave
College Ave’s student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
* All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Sallie Mae Student Loans
¹Rates displayed are for undergraduate and career training students:
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount: Additional information regarding the auto debit discount: Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. *These rates will be effective 8/25/2026.
Terms:
Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years.
² For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website may be subjected to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
Editor: Colin Graves
Reviewed by: Richelle Hawley
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