To help you determine if a PNC student loan is best for you, MoneyGeek’s PNC student loan review can help. We provide the details about what you need to apply for a PNC student loan, including eligibility requirements, rates, fees, APRs and more.
2024 PNC Student Loans Review
Updated: November 5, 2024
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At a Glance: PNC Student Loans
- PNC
- 2.99%–9.89%Fixed APR Range
- 1.09%–8.19%Variable APR Range
- $1,000–$50,000Loan Amounts
- Six monthsGrace Period
- AllowedCo-signer
PNC provides various financial products, including student loans for undergraduate and graduate students in programs ranging from health and medical to legal studies. It also offers refinancing options. Undergraduate students can apply to PNC for a $2,000 scholarship toward educational expenses.
Even though PNC does not specify a minimum credit score requirement, your creditworthiness is a key factor in determining whether or not you will qualify for a student loan.
If you apply for a PNC student loan with a co-signer, you may be able to get a better rate as a co-signer often has a more established credit history than a student borrower.
When you set up the auto-payment option for monthly payments, you will get a 0.50% interest rate discount. If you stop using the auto-payment feature, the discount will be removed, and the rate will increase by the same 0.50%.
PNC provides loans to U.S. citizens and permanent residents but does not offer student loans to international students. Both the primary borrower and the co-signer, if any, are subject to these restrictions and must provide proof of residency.
MoneyGeek recommends that international students shop around to find a lender that offers student loans to international students. You can contact your school's financial aid office to find out what options are available to international students.
Pros
- 0.50% auto pay discount
- Allows co-signers
- No prepayment penalty
- No application fees or origination fees
- A+ rating from BBB
Cons
- Charges late fees of $5 or 5% of amount due
- Does not disclose the required minimum credit score, although applicants must meet a satisfactory debt-to-income ratio.
- Fixed APR Range: 2.99%–9.89%
- Variable APR Range: 1.09%–8.19%
- Loan Amounts: $1,000–$50,000 ($225,000 aggregate limit)
- Grace Period: Six months
- Co-signer: Allowed
MoneyGeek Breakdown: PNC Student Loan Details and Requirements
PNC Details
Fixed APR | 2.99%–9.89% |
Variable APR | 1.09%–8.19% |
Loan Types | Students loans for undergraduate, graduate and professional (e.g., health and medical professions and law), as well as refinancing |
Loan Amounts | $1,000–$50,000 ($225,000 aggregate limit) |
Repayment Terms | 5, 10 and 15 years |
Grace Period | Six months |
Co-signer Required | Allowed; only required if the borrower is under 18 years old |
Time to Receive Funds | Not available on the PNC website |
Late Fees | $5 or 5% of the overdue payment amount, whichever is less |
Prepayment Penalty Fees | No |
Perks | Auto-payment discount |
Mobile Application | Yes |
PNC Student Loan Application Requirements
To obtain a student loan from PNC, you and/or your co-signer must:
- 1
Have satisfactory credit and proof of employment and income history.
- 2
Have been in business for at least two years, if self-employed.
- 3
Meet debt-to-income requirements (which are unspecified on the website).
- 4
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- 5
Have lived in the U.S. for the previous two years before applying.
- 6
Be enrolled at least half-time, as determined by your school.
- 7
Have a Social Security number, driver's license (or State ID), and verifiable date of birth.
- 8
Have a home phone number, home address and the number of years you’ve lived at the given address.
- 9
Email address for your co-signer (if applicable).
- 10
Provide information like your school's name, major and degree type.
- 11
Provide information about your school.
- 12
Provide details about your home and job.
Is PNC Right for You?
Different lenders offer different rates, requirements and terms. Ultimately, the best lender for each person varies. MoneyGeek recommends that you shop around and compare the rates, terms, fees, and requirements of at least three different lenders to find the best option for your specific needs.
Type of Student PNC Is Perfect For
PNC student loan is perfect for many students, such as those in undergraduate, graduate or professional programs. The latter include health and medical professions and law students who need to cover bar exam costs. Students looking to refinance existing education loans can look into refinancing with PNC. As always, the best lender for you depends on your unique circumstances.
Who Should Not Choose PNC
While PNC has a minimum loan amount of $1,000, this is only applicable for new loans. If you’re looking to refinance, the minimum is $10,000. PNC might not be the right lender for you if you need to refinance a lesser loan amount.
MoneyGeek’s PNC student loan review shows that creditworthiness is an important factor in getting a PNC loan, even though their website doesn’t specify the preferred credit score of applicants. So, PNC may not be suitable for you if you have poor credit.
Additionally, PNC doesn't offer loans to international students unless they have permanent residency. You will need to shop around for another lender if you’re an international student who does not have permanent residency.
How to Apply for a PNC Student Loan
Once you've decided that PNC is the best lender for your specific needs, you can proceed with your loan application. MoneyGeek's PNC student loan review outlines the steps you can take when applying for a PNC student loan as follows:
- 1
Prequalify
PNC allows student borrowers to verify their eligibility online. Enter your school state, school name, school branch name, desired loan amount, and U.S. citizenship status on the form. PNC will also ask you to specify whether you will be enrolled at least half-time, applying with a co-signer and if you are at least the age of majority in your state of residence. PNC will provide you with a preliminary decision within minutes.
- 2
Fill out the Application Form
The PNC application requires you to submit your personal information and the details of your co-signer, if applicable. To be eligible, you (or your co-signer) must have a satisfactory credit history and steady income and/or work history. You will also need to provide evidence of current income. If you are self-employed, you must have been in business for at least two years and be able to provide copies of your most recent federal tax returns, including any applicable schedules.
- 3
Wait for Approval
PNC doesn’t offer instant approval decisions. After submitting your application, you have to wait for some days to receive a decision.
- 4
Review Loan Agreement
Review the loan offer after receiving it. Be sure to read the fine print, terms and conditions, and interest rates. Make sure there are no unexpected fees that you are responsible for. Remember to verify the approved loan amount.
- 5
Sign Loan Agreement
If you have a question, now is the time to ask. Otherwise, sign and submit the loan agreement once you are satisfied with the contents.
- 6
Receive or Direct Funds
PNC disburses funds directly to your school.
- 7
Make Payments
PNC provides three repayment options: immediate repayment of principal and interest, interest-only payments while in school and full deferral of principal and interest until six months after graduation (or upon ceasing to be enrolled at least half-time). Keep in mind that PNC offers four primary terms: five years, 10 years and 15 years, with a 20-year loan term available for loan amounts over $75,000.
What to Do if You Are Rejected by PNC
There are certain instances when PNC might deny student loan applications. If this happens to you, your first action should be to contact PNC to find out why. There are many likely reasons, including a poor credit score or not enough income.
If you still think PNC is the best lender for your specific loan needs, consider re-applying with a qualified co-signer. You may get a better interest rate if you do, since co-signers often have more established credit histories than student borrowers.
You may also seek further information and resources from your school's financial aid counselors or office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Loans
If you still aren’t sure about whether you should get a PNC student loan, review the frequently asked questions below.
What can I use a PNC student loan for?
You can use PNC student loans to finance your undergraduate or graduate studies and professional programs. You can also refinance an existing education loan.
What credit score do I need for a PNC student loan?
PNC does not disclose its required minimum credit score. However, it does require you (or your co-signer) to have a score they deem satisfactory.
How long does PNC take to approve a student loan?
PNC does not disclose approval time on its website. However, you will receive a preliminary decision after completing the online prequalification questionnaire within a few minutes.
Does PNC have a mobile app?
Yes, PNC has a mobile app. Borrowers can manage their loans through this mobile app.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow from PNC?
PNC’s annual loan maximum for undergraduate students is $50,000 and $65,000 for graduate students. The maximum aggregate educational debt (including federal and private student loans) is $225,000. Maximum loan amounts for students looking to refinance are as follows:
- Did not graduate: $25,000
- Associate degree: $75,000
- Undergraduate degree: $175,000
- Graduate degree: $200,000
Will applying for a PNC student loan affect my credit score?
Yes, PNC only conducts a hard credit check, which can temporarily affect your credit score.
Does PNC accept co-signers on student loans?
Yes, PNC accepts co-signers on student loans. Having a co-signer can help you get a better interest rate on your student loan.
Can I use PNC student loans at my college?
You can use PNC student loans for your education at an eligible institution. If your college is not included in the "school name" field in the prequalification questionnaire, you can request it be added by clicking the link below the field.
About Christopher Boston
Christopher (Croix) Boston was the Head of Loans content at MoneyGeek, with over five years of experience researching higher education, mortgage and personal loans.
Boston has a bachelor's degree from the Seattle Pacific University. They pride themselves in using their skills and experience to create quality content that helps people save and spend efficiently.
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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.