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How to request Navient cosigner release
And what to do if you can't meet its credit, income or degree requirements.
You can take your cosigner off your student loans after you’ve made 12 months of full repayments and meet your lender’s other cosigner release requirements, like passing a credit and income check and showing proof you completed your degree. The whole process can take just a few minutes if you have all of the information on hand. But you’ll need to print your application and sign it by hand.
Am I eligible for Navient cosigner release?
You might qualify for cosigner release on your private student loans if you meet the following criteria:
- Primary borrower on the student loan account. Only the borrower can apply for cosigner release — not the cosigner.
- Made 12 full on-time repayments in a row. You must make 12 consecutive repayments of principal and interest before you can qualify for cosigner release.
- Repayments made on the standard repayment plan. For a repayment to count, it must be equivalent to the amount you’d owe on a standard repayment plan — or higher.
- Pass a credit and income check. You must meet your lender’s credit and income requirements for cosigner release to qualify.
- Eligible private loan. Federal loans, College Ave refinancing loans and National Education Servicing (NES) loans aren’t eligible for cosigner release. All refinancing loans made after September 17, 2015 are also ineligible.
- Completed your program. You can’t refinance debt from a degree or training program you didn’t finish.
- US citizen or permanent resident. If your citizenship status has changed since you took out the loan, you’ll need to provide proof of residence or citizenship.
- Age of majority in your state. In most states, you must be 18 to take out a loan. In Alabama, you must be 19. And in Mississippi and Puerto Rico, it’s 21.
How to request Navient cosigner release in 6 steps
Follow these steps to fill out and submit the application:
Step 1: Check that you meet Navient’s eligibility requirements.
Review the requirements at the top of the page. If you’re unsure what credit score you need to qualify for cosigner release with your lender, reach out to Navient by calling 888-272-5543.
Step 2: Download the application.
You can find and download the PDF application on Navient’s website. You can either fill it out on your computer using a PDF reader before printing it out to sign and date it. Or, you can fill it out by hand.
Step 3: Read through Navient’s cosigner release requirements.
The first page of your cosigner release application details Navient’s cosigner release requirements. Give it a read to double-check that you meet all of the criteria.
Step 4: Fill out the form.
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Name and birthday
- Account or Social Security number
- Employer name
- Your position and start date
- Annual salary
- Any additional income and the source
- Net income (either on a weekly, biweekly, monthly or annual basis)
- Monthly housing payment
- Car loan payment
- Student loan payment
- Citizenship status
- Cosigner name or names
Think twice before putting your cell phone number on the application
The phone number field is optional on the Navient cosigner release application. If you include it, you’re consenting to receive robocalls from Navient, its subsidiaries and any affiliates.
Step 5: Gather your documents.
You need to submit copies of the following documents along with your application form:
- Proof of program completion. This can be a copy of your diploma, certificate or transcript.
- Proof of income. Navient accepts a W-2, 1099-MISC, pay stub issued in the last 60 days, Social Security Income or disability award letter issued during the current year, statement of retirement income or annuities, or your most recent federal tax return.
- Proof of citizenship. If your citizenship status has changed since you took out the loan, provide documents showing this change — such as a copy of your certificate of naturalization.
Pro tip: Write your account number on all documents you submit with your application to ensure they don’t get lost.
Step 6: Sign and date your application.
Sign and date your application by hand, then submit it to Navient one of three ways:
What happens next?
Navient will get in touch with you to let you know if you’ve been approved for cosigner release. If you get a thumbs up, your cosigner will no longer be responsible for your loan and the debt is transferred entirely to your name.
I didn’t get approved. What are my options?
If your application for cosigner release was rejected, you can still remove your cosigner by refinancing with another lender. Look for a lender with credit requirements you can meet on your own — or bring on another cosigner to help you qualify.
Compare student loan refinancing offers
Bottom line
Cosigner release frees up your cosigner to take on other credit by transferring your student loans entirely under your name. But you’ll need good credit, a degree and a steady source of income to qualify. If you don’t meet all of these criteria, you can apply to refinance with another lender — with a different cosigner if needed. Explore your options with our guide to student loan refinancing.
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