Quick Summary
- Second-look student loan financing
- Grad and undergrad loans available
- Interest rates start at 17.07% APR1, 2
- 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction available2
Pros
Cons
GradBridge is a second-look student loan financing company that aims to bridge the gap if you've been denied funding from traditional private student loan lenders.
It offers graduate and undergraduate loans that can cover up to the full cost of attendance. This GradBridge review explores the various student loan offerings to help you decide if it's a viable option for you.
What Is GradBridge?
GradBridge is a second-look private student loan program built to help juniors, seniors, and graduate students bridge the funding gap when traditional lenders have declined their applications, allowing them to achieve their goal of graduation. It was founded by educational and fintech professionals, including former Sallie Mae executives.
What Does It Offer?
GradBridge's loans are open to undergraduate students who are junior or higher, or graduate/postgraduate students. You need to be enrolled at least half-time, and be seeking a 4-year undergraduate degree or a grad/postgrad degree. Also, the borrower and co-borrower must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
With that in mind, here's a closer look at the key features of GradBridge's graduate and undergraduate student loans:
Undergraduate Loans
GradBridge's undergraduate loans are designed to help students cover tuition, fees, housing, books, and other education-related expenses.
Key Features:
- Minimum Loan Amount: $5,000
- Variable: 17.07% - 21.94% APR 1, 2
- Fixed: 18.06% - 23.07% APR 1, 2
Note: ranges include the 0.25% ACH/autopay discount
- Origination Fee: 5% (added to loan amount)
- Repayment Types: Interest-Only, $25 Fixed3, Deferred Payments
- Repayment Terms: 5, 10, or 15 years
- Cosigners accepted
- Associate's Degree or Certificate Programs ineligible (must be a 4-year degree)
Borrowers can choose between fixed and variable interest rates, and repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years, depending on their loan amount. You also have a choice of repayment type. For example, you can opt to pay during school (interest or $25 fixed payments3) or defer payments while you're in school.
Graduate Loans
GradBridge offers graduate student loans for advanced degrees in fields such as Medicine, Law, Dental, Technology, Business (MBA), and more. The rates are the same as what's quoted for undergraduate loans, as are the repayment options and terms.
Key Features:
- Minimum Loan Amount: $5,000
- Variable: 17.07% - 21.94% APR1, 2
- Fixed: 18.06% - 23.07% APR1, 2
- Origination Fee: 5% (added to loan amount)
- Repayment Types: Interest-Only, $25 Fixed3, Deferred Payments
- Repayment Terms: 5, 10, or 15 years
Other GradBridge Benefits
GradBridge offers expanded eligibility through its unique underwriting. This means that even if you have been declined by other lenders, you may get a second chance at approval. Additionally, past due balances up to 365 days prior may be supported, and a 6-month grace period, with an additional 6-month extension may be available upon request4.
Are There Any Fees?
In addition to the interest charged on the student loans, GradBridge charges an origination fee of 5% of the original student loan balance. This fee is added to the amount borrowed and included in the financing.
How Does GradBridge Compare?
GradBridge is a second-look student loan provider, so you're likely only considering them if you have been turned down for financing from a traditional lender. Before applying with GradBridge, you will want to consider more affordable options.
Take College Ave, for example. It offers private student loans at rates as low as 2.8% APR, which are much lower than GradBridge's. And like GradBridge, they can cover the full cost of school and offer flexible repayment terms.
Another private student loan provider worth considering is SoFi. It offers undergraduate loans with APRs starting as low as 3.18%. You can even qualify for a cash bonus of up to $250 if you can achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Header |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
Rating | |||
Lowest APR | 17.07%1, 2 | 2.80% | 3.18% |
Repayment Terms | 5,10, or 15 years | 5, 8, 10, 15, and 20 years | 5, 7 10, and 15 years |
Origination Fee | 5% | None | None |
Loan Min. | $5,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Cell |
How Do I Open An Account?
GradBridge offers an online application on their website with an instant credit decision.
Is It Safe And Secure?
We have no reason to believe that GradBridge is unsafe to deal with, but it should be noted that it is a brand-new company that launched in 2025. It has already partnered with established names like CampusDoor, Nelnet, Gestalt, and Maquette Advisors, who will help GradBridge to scale by delivering the origination technology, servicing, and analytics required. Also, GradBridge was founded by a former Sallie Mae executive, and its advisor team includes other former Sallie Mae executives.
How Do I Contact GradBridge?
You can contact GradBridge by calling 1(877) 472-3275. The company's mailing address is: 800 North King Street, Suite 304 3596, Wilmington, DE 19801
Is It Worth It?
It's early days for GradBridge, but by all accounts, its product offering looks promising. Remember, GradBridge is a second-look lender. That means that you will likely only consider them if you cannot obtain a private student loan from a traditional lender, which will offer much lower rates and fees and more flexible terms. As a matter of fact, GradBridge will likely compensate traditional lenders who refer declined applicants to GradBridge.
What I like about GradBridge is how straightforward their product offering is. While their origination fees and APRs are very high, they offer decent repayment flexibility and a very transparent website. If you're struggling to get approved through a private lender, ask them if GradBridge might be an option.
GradBridge loans are second-look private student loans and are not affiliated with the federal student loan program. As such, they do not offer the same repayment benefits that may be available with federal loans. GradBridge loans are for students currently enrolled at a participating school. The minimum loan amount is $5,000. All loans will be certified by the school. GradBridge Student Loans are originated by Hatch Bank, a California-chartered industrial bank.
1- The APR for the lowest advertised rate assumes a $10,000 loan, with a 15- year term and 30 months in school, with no payment while in school, a 5% originations fee and a .25% ACH discount applied. The APR for the highest interest rate assumes a $10,000 loan, with a 5- year term and 30 months in school with an Interest Only payments while in school, a 5% originations fee and a .25% ACH discount applied.
2- Variable rates may increase or decrease over time based on the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Finance Rate (SOFR as of 4/25/2026) index rounded to the nearest eighth of a percent. Fixed rates will remain constant and will not change over time. Actual rates and repayment terms may vary based on creditworthiness and other factors. The GradBridge 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from GradBridge.
3- Repayment Options: While in school, applicants may choose one of the following repayment options (i) Interest-Only: Pay only the interest each month to reduce total loan cost; (ii) $25 Fixed Payments: Pay $25 per month to help lower accrued interest; or (iii) No Payment: Make no payments while in school, interest accrues and is added to the loan balance. Each choice impacts the total loan cost. (iv) For the $25 repayment example, assume a $10,000 loan with an APR of 20.36%, a 5% originations fee, and a .25% ACH discount applied and 10-year term. The loan will have 30 months of in school payments of $25, followed by 120 months of principal and interest payments of $305.15 per month. Example as of 2/1/2026.
4- Extended grace can be requested 60 days prior to the initial grace period ending or 90 days after the initial grace period has ended.
GradBridge Review
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Rates and Fees
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Application Process
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Products and Services
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Customer Service
Overall
Summary
GradBridge is a second-look student loan financing company that aims to bridge the gap if you’ve been denied funding from traditional lenders. It offers flexible repayment terms, but its rates and fees are high.
Pros
- Transparent pricing
- Flexible repayment options
- Multiple repayment types
Cons
- High variable and fixed APRs
- High origination fee of 5%
- Brand new company, is unproven
Reviewed by: Robert Farrington
Colin Graves is a financial writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience in banking and wealth management. Before joining The College Investor, he managed retail and commercial portfolios exceeding $1 billion, earning multiple awards for leadership and customer service. Colin holds several credentials from the Canadian Securities Institute, including the Canadian Securities Course, Professional Financial Planning Course, and the Certificate of Financial Services Advice.
Today, he applies that expertise to editing and writing about investing, credit, and money management for readers seeking practical, trustworthy financial information. Colin also writes at ColinGraves.com, where he helps people transition from traditional employment to self-employment through financial literacy and business coaching.