If you're looking at student loans and wondering whether College Ave is any good, you're not alone. The student loan world is a maze — federal, private, fixed rates, deferment, forgiveness... it’s a lot. College Ave is one of the better-known private lenders, but that doesn’t automatically make it right for you.
I’ll keep this simple and skip the salesy language. Here’s what College Ave is, what it does, and where it might fall short.
What is College Ave?
College Ave is a private student loan company — not part of the government. It started in 2014 and offers loans for undergrad, grad school, trade programs, and even lets parents borrow. They also do refinancing, which means rolling your old loans into one new one, ideally at a better interest rate.
They’re a direct lender, meaning they give you the money and handle your loan from start to finish. You won’t be passed off to a separate company for payments.
Federal Loan or Private?
Let’s be super clear: College Ave is private.
If you’re eligible for federal loans, start there. Federal loans offer income-based repayment, deferment, and options like Public Service Loan Forgiveness. College Ave doesn’t offer any of that. If you’ve maxed out your federal aid or don’t qualify, then private loans like this can help fill the gap.
What Kinds of Loans Do They Offer?
They cover the basics:
Pretty standard stuff. What makes them a bit more flexible is that you can choose from several repayment terms (like 5, 8, 10, or 15 years), and there’s no penalty for paying off early.
Pros (Stuff People Like)
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Quick and mostly online process
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You can check your rate without hurting your credit
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No application or origination fees
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Automatic payment discount (0.25%)
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More repayment term options than many lenders
In short, it’s user-friendly and built for people who don’t want to deal with a ton of paperwork.
Cons (Stuff You Should Know)
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No federal protections (IDR plans, forgiveness, etc.)
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Interest rates can be higher if your credit isn’t great
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Limited forbearance options if you hit financial trouble
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Cosigner might be required for students with little to no credit
It works best if you or your cosigner has solid credit and you’re confident in your future income.
Is College Ave My Lender?
If you applied for a loan directly through College Ave, then yes — they’re both your lender and servicer. If you’re not sure:
How to Create an Account
Pretty simple:
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Go to collegeave.com
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Hit “Log In” > “Create an Account”
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You’ll need your SSN, date of birth, and email
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Choose a username/password and security questions
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Once set up, you can see your balance, payment info, and more
How to Pay Back the Loan
You can pay online, by mail, or over the phone. Setting up autopay gets you a small interest rate discount, which adds up over time.
To make a payment:
Contact Info
If you need help, here’s how to reach them:
Final Thoughts
College Ave isn’t perfect, but if you’re looking for a private loan, they’re worth a look. Just make sure you’ve looked at federal loans first — they almost always have better safety nets.
College Ave is best for borrowers with good credit or a strong cosigner who want flexible repayment options and a quick, no-hassle process.