Do you need a cosigner? It can't hurt and it could certainly help.

A student loan cosigner is a second applicant on your loan, usually added to meet creditworthiness guidelines. He or she has the same legal responsibility as the primary borrower.

Most applicants need a cosigner to be approved.

Give yourself every advantage. Students will often apply with a cosigner to help them meet creditworthy guidelines to increase their chances of receiving conditional approval. If a student applies with a cosigner, both parties intend to (a) jointly apply for credit and (b) be jointly liable for the requested loan. And a cosigner with excellent credit, a parent or other creditworthy adult, could help you get a better rate.

To apply for a National City Direct Student Loan you must be:

• At least 17 years of age with a qualified cosigner, or age of majority when applying alone¹

You or your student loan cosigner must satisfy the following credit criteria:

• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has resided in the U.S. for the previous two years
• Minimum of two years of continuous employment
• At least 21 months credit experience and a satisfactory credit history

There's no downside to using a qualified student loan cosigner.

With a strong cosigner, the likelihood of preliminary approval in as few as 15 minutes and a check mailed directly to you in as few as five business days goes way up.

In addition, a Cosigner Release option is available to borrowers who make their first 48 payments on time and who elect to make automated payments.²