- Abe Student Loan Overview: Abe, launched by Monogram LLC in June 2024 and funded by DR Bank, emphasizes transparency, no fees, and borrower protections for various graduate programs, including graduate certificates.
- Pros of Abe Student Loans: Abe offers the lowest fixed rate floor in the market at 2.75%, zero fees, a 2% graduation reward, multiple payment relief options, and broad degree coverage, making it highly borrower-friendly.
- Cons of Abe Student Loans: Being a new product with limited consumer review data, West Virginia residents are excluded, and there is no refinancing option, which may be drawbacks for some borrowers.
- Abe Rates and Fees: Abe's fixed APR ranges from 2.75% to 15.61%, with no fees of any kind, and offers competitive discounts including autopay and on-time payments, with detailed sample cost comparisons.
- Final Verdict on Abe Student Loans: While a recent entrant with limited long-term data, Abe scores highly for its features and borrower protections, particularly suited for high-credit graduate students, though it lacks refinancing and is not available in West Virginia.
Abe Student Loan Overview
Abe is a private student loan brand launched in June 2024 by Monogram LLC, a company with over 30 years of experience managing more than $30 billion in private student loan assets. Loans are funded by DR Bank, Member FDIC. Abe is a service mark of Monogram LLC; Monogram is not an affiliate of DR Bank. Abe’s mailing address and servicing operations are based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, through Campus Door Holdings Inc.
Abe positions itself around “plain, honest student loans,” emphasizing zero fees (no application, origination, late, or forbearance fees), transparent rate discounts, and built-in borrower protections like in-school default protection and an extended grace period. The product covers undergraduate, graduate (including specialized programs for medical, dental, healthcare, MBA, and law students), and post-bachelor graduate certificate programs. Monogram LLC also manages Custom Choice, a separate student loan brand funded by the same DR Bank; the two products share some features (2% graduation reward, in-school default protection, zero late fees) but differ in rate ranges, aggregate limits, and grace period structure.
For this review, we evaluated Abe across our six-category scoring framework. Abe earns strong marks for having the lowest advertised fixed rate floor in the market (2.75%), the most comprehensive payment relief suite we have reviewed (six options), and an unusually borrower-friendly feature set for a product at this price point. Its primary weaknesses are its newness (launched less than two years ago, with limited independent consumer review data), the West Virginia exclusion, and the lack of refinancing. Borrowers should, as always, exhaust federal loan options before considering any private student loan.
Pros and Cons of Abe Student Loans
Pros
- Lowest advertised fixed rate floor in the market. Abe’s fixed APR starts at 2.75% (with autopay), which is lower than Ascent (2.69% with higher autopay discount), Earnest (2.79%), Sallie Mae (2.89%), and SoFi (3.43%). For borrowers with excellent credit and a strong co-signer, this represents meaningful savings over the life of a 10- or 15-year loan.
- Zero fees across the board. No application fee, no origination fee, no disbursement fee, no late fee, no forbearance fee, and no prepayment penalty. Abe is one of only a handful of lenders (alongside SoFi, Ascent, and Custom Choice) that charge absolutely zero late fees.
- 2% graduation reward. Upon request after graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher, Abe reduces the outstanding principal balance by 2% of the net disbursed loan amount. On a $40,000 loan, that is an $800 principal reduction. This feature is shared with Custom Choice and is unique among major private student lenders.
- Stacking rate discounts up to 0.50%. A 0.25% autopay discount plus up to 0.25% earned through on-time principal and interest payments (0.05% for every six consecutive months of on-time P&I payments). Unlike competitors that require years of payments, Abe lets borrowers start earning the on-time discount within six months of entering repayment.
- In-school default protection. If a borrower on the interest-only or flat payment plan falls 90+ days behind during the in-school period, Abe automatically transitions the loan to full deferment rather than reporting a default. The rate increases slightly (1% for interest-only, 0.25% for flat), but the borrower avoids a devastating credit event. This feature is unique to the Monogram/DR Bank ecosystem.
- Extended grace period (6 + 6 months). After the standard 6-month post-graduation grace period, borrowers can request an additional 6-month extension if they need more time, for a total of up to 12 months before full repayment begins. Most competitors offer only 6 months (Earnest and Ascent offer 9).
- Six payment relief options. Grace extension, unemployment protection (up to 24 months), medical forbearance (up to 12 months), natural disaster forbearance (3 months), hardship forbearance (up to 24 months), and a 60-month term extension for borrowers who have exhausted other options. This is the most comprehensive payment relief suite in this review series.
- Broad degree coverage including graduate certificates. Abe serves undergraduate (associate and bachelor), graduate (master, doctoral, professional), and post-bachelor graduate certificate students. The certificate coverage and associate degree coverage are features several competitors lack.
Cons
- Very new product (launched June 2024). Abe has been on the market for less than two years. There is no Trustpilot profile, limited CFPB complaint history, and no J.D. Power ranking. While Monogram LLC has 30+ years of experience behind the scenes, Abe itself has no long-term track record as a consumer-facing brand.
- Not available in West Virginia. Borrowers who are permanent residents of West Virginia are excluded, the same restriction that applies to Custom Choice.
- No refinancing option. Abe does not offer student loan refinancing. Borrowers who want to refinance must go to a competitor like SoFi, Earnest, or Citizens.
- In-school default protection comes with a rate increase. If triggered, the interest rate increases by 1.00% (interest-only loans) or 0.25% (flat payment loans), and prior credit reporting remains on record. It is a safety net, not a free pass.
- Aggregate loan cap of $225,000 (standard) or $350,000 (specialty grad). These limits include both federal and private student loan debt. Borrowers with high existing federal debt may have less room to borrow from Abe. Sallie Mae and SoFi cover up to 100% of COA without a stated aggregate cap.
- On-time discount resets with forbearance or deferment. If a borrower enters forbearance or deferment after earning on-time payment discounts, the earned rate reductions are temporarily suspended and the consecutive payment counter resets to zero. A single late payment permanently disqualifies the loan from earning further on-time reductions.
- $25 flat payment and 15/20-year terms require $5,000+ loan. The flat payment option and longer terms are only available for loans of $5,000 or more, which may limit flexibility for smaller borrowers.
Abe Student Loans
Abe earns a 4.0 out of 5.0 and is our pick for best overall private student loan because it delivers the strongest combination of rate competitiveness, borrower-friendly terms, and zero fees in the market. The fixed APR floor of 2.75% is the lowest among our 4.0-rated lenders, and the 15.61% ceiling is below most fintech competitors. Combined with zero late fees, zero origination fees, and zero prepayment penalties, Abe minimizes total borrowing cost across the board.
The co-signer release timeline of 12 months (tied with Sallie Mae for the fastest) and the 12-month grace period (double the industry standard of six months) are the two features that push Abe ahead of the competition. That extra six months before payments begin gives graduates meaningfully more time to secure employment and stabilize their income. Abe also accepts DACA recipients with a qualifying co-signer, broadening eligibility beyond most competitors.
The primary limitations are brand recognition and product scope. Abe is a newer entrant (by Monogram/DR Bank) and does not have the established reputation of Sallie Mae or the brand ecosystem of SoFi. It does not offer refinancing, so borrowers who want a single-lender relationship from origination through post-graduation will need to look elsewhere. But on the merits of the loan product itself, Abe is the best overall package in this review series.
- Fixed APR: 2.75% – 15.61% | Variable APR: 3.53% – 15.91%
- 12-month co-signer release, tied for the fastest in the industry
- 12-month grace period, double the standard 6 months
- Zero fees: no origination, no late fee, no prepayment penalty, no returned payment fee
- DACA-eligible with a qualifying co-signer
Abe Rates and Fees
Abe’s fixed APR ranges from 2.75% to 15.61%, and its variable APR ranges from 3.53% to 15.91%, both inclusive of the 0.25% autopay discount. These ranges are based on a $10,000 loan with one disbursement. The lowest fixed APR assumes a 7-year term with the interest-only repayment option and autopay. Variable rates are tied to the 30-day Average SOFR index (3.750% as of 2/1/2026) plus a fixed margin. Actual rates depend on credit history, co-signer credit, repayment option, term length, expected deferment period, and loan amount.
The fixed rate floor of 2.75% is the lowest advertised in the private student loan market as of February 2026, edging out Ascent (2.69% with a larger autopay discount), Earnest (2.79%), and Sallie Mae (2.89%). The rate ceiling of 15.61% fixed is slightly below the industry average ceiling of approximately 16-17%. For borrowers choosing deferred repayment (rather than interest-only), the rate will be higher, since the lender’s risk increases with deferred payments.
Abe charges zero fees of any kind: no application fee, no origination fee, no disbursement fee, no late fee, no forbearance fee, no returned payment fee, and no prepayment penalty. Rate discounts include the 0.25% autopay reduction and up to 0.25% earned through on-time principal and interest payments (0.05% per 6 consecutive months). Combined with the 2% graduation principal reduction, Abe’s total discount structure is among the most generous in the market.
Sample Cost Comparison: $30,000 Abe Loan
Scenario | Monthly Payment | Total Interest | Total Cost |
Fixed 6.0%, 10-yr | $333 | $9,967 | $39,967 |
Fixed 6.0%, 15-yr | $253 | $15,563 | $45,563 |
Fixed 10.0%, 10-yr | $397 | $17,583 | $47,583 |
Fixed 10.0%, 15-yr | $322 | $27,985 | $57,985 |
Variable 5.5%, 10-yr* | $326 | $9,076 | $39,076 |
Variable 5.5%, 15-yr* | $245 | $14,134 | $44,134 |
*Variable rate scenarios assume the starting rate remains constant. Actual payments fluctuate with SOFR index changes. Scenarios do not reflect the 2% graduation reward, which would reduce principal by $600 on a $30,000 loan.
Abe In-School Repayment and Loan Terms
Abe offers four in-school repayment options. The immediate repayment option begins full principal and interest payments at disbursement, which minimizes total loan cost. The interest-only option requires monthly interest payments during school, preventing capitalization. The flat payment option requires a $25 monthly payment during the in-school period (available on loans of $5,000+). The full deferment option requires no payments until after graduation and the grace period; unpaid interest capitalizes at that point.
Loan amounts range from $1,000 (or $1,001 for Iowa residents; $6,001 for Massachusetts residents or co-signers) up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance minus other financial aid. Aggregate limits are $225,000 for undergraduate and standard graduate programs and $350,000 for specialty graduate programs (JD, MD, DVM, MBA, DDS), including both federal and private student loan debt. Repayment terms are available in five lengths: 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years, with the 15- and 20-year terms requiring a loan of $5,000 or more. The total in-school deferment period cannot exceed 60 months (5 years) from first disbursement.
The standard grace period is 6 months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment. Abe also offers an extended grace period of an additional 6 months, for a potential total of 12 months before full repayment begins. The extended grace must be requested and is subject to eligibility (the loan cannot have entered repayment more than 90 days before the request). The immediate repayment option does not include a grace period. Interest continues to accrue during both grace periods.
Abe Payment Relief Options
Abe offers six distinct payment relief options, the most comprehensive suite in this review series:
- Grace period extension: An additional 6 months beyond the standard 6-month grace, for up to 12 months total before repayment begins.
- Unemployment protection: Up to 12 months initially, in 3-month increments. An additional 12 months may be earned by making 12 consecutive on-time payments between each 3-month increment. Payments are deferred; interest capitalizes.
- Medical forbearance: Up to 12 months for borrowers unable to work due to illness or unpaid FMLA leave, in 3-month increments. Requires physician certification.
- Hardship forbearance: Up to 12 months initially, in 3-month increments. An additional 12 months may be earned similarly to unemployment protection.
- Natural disaster forbearance: Up to 3 months for FEMA-declared disasters affecting the borrower’s home, workplace, or school.
- Term extension: If all other relief options have been exhausted, borrowers may request a 60-month (5-year) term extension, which lowers monthly payments through reamortization.
Additionally, borrowers in medical internships or residencies can defer payments for up to 48 months (full deferment for 24 months, then interest-only for 24 months, depending on the repayment option). Students who re-enroll in school can also request deferment.
Abe Co-signer Policies
A co-signer is not required but is recommended to improve approval chances and qualify for lower rates. Co-signers can be parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, guardians, or mentors. DACA recipients and international students must apply with a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Co-signer release is available after 12 consecutive monthly principal and interest payments (or a lump-sum equivalent) have been received by the servicer during any 12-month period. The borrower must meet credit and other eligibility criteria. Borrowers in a reduced repayment plan or with a pending reduced payment request are not eligible for co-signer release. The 12-month timeline matches the fastest in the industry (alongside Sallie Mae, SoFi, and Ascent).
Abe Eligibility and Application Process
Abe does not publish a minimum credit score. Positive income (at least $1 annually) is required for the student applicant (if applying alone) or the co-signer (if applying with one). The borrower must be enrolled or enrolling at a degree-granting institution at an approved school, be the legal age of majority (or at least 17 with a co-signer), and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, DACA recipient (with eligible co-signer), or international student (with U.S. citizen/permanent resident co-signer). Abe is not available to permanent residents of West Virginia.
The application is fully digital with soft-pull prequalification. Borrowers can see estimated rates and options in minutes with no impact on their credit score. After prequalification, the full application triggers a hard credit inquiry. Required information includes date of birth, SSN (for borrower and co-signer), school name, grade level, expected graduation date, loan amount, and income. After approval, the school must certify the loan. Abe applications can be submitted through the Sparrow Financial platform or through marketplace partners like Credible.
Abe Funding Speed and Disbursement
Abe provides prequalification results in minutes. The application and credit decision process is fully digital. After approval, the loan is sent to the school’s financial aid office for certification. School certification timelines vary by institution and time of year; this is the step most likely to introduce delays. After certification, funds are disbursed directly to the school per the academic calendar. Interest begins accruing at disbursement. Any excess above the school’s charges is refunded to the student by the school.
Abe loans can also cover past-due balances: applications may be accepted up to the earlier of 18 months after the academic period end date or 18 months after the graduation date. This is a notable feature for students who fell behind on tuition payments during a prior semester.
Abe Customer Experience
Because Abe launched in June 2024, it has limited independent consumer review data. There is no standalone Trustpilot profile, no J.D. Power ranking, and minimal CFPB complaint history specific to the Abe brand. The parent entity, Monogram LLC, has a BBB rating of A- to A depending on the source.
Abe Financial Strength and Reputation
Abe loans are funded by DR Bank, Member FDIC, which provides the banking infrastructure and regulatory backing. Monogram LLC (NMLS #2542102) manages the loan program, bringing over 30 years of experience in student loan asset management, servicing, and consulting. Monogram has facilitated more than $30 billion in private student loan assets and served over 1 million families through its various programs (including Custom Choice and predecessor brands). Monogram LLC is not an affiliate of DR Bank.
Abe has no regulatory actions or legal challenges on record. The brand is too new for a meaningful CFPB complaint profile. Monogram LLC’s BBB rating ranges from A- to A. DR Bank is FDIC-insured, providing deposit insurance protection. The combination of Monogram’s decades of experience and DR Bank’s regulatory standing gives Abe stronger institutional backing than its brand age alone would suggest.
Who Is Abe Best For?
Good Fit
- Borrowers with excellent credit (or strong co-signers) seeking the lowest possible rate floor. Abe’s 2.75% fixed APR floor is the lowest advertised in the market as of February 2026.
- Graduate and professional students in high-cost programs. The $350,000 aggregate limit for JD, MD, DVM, MBA, and DDS programs, combined with specialized loan products and medical residency deferment, makes Abe well-suited for professional degree borrowers.
- Borrowers who value zero fees and built-in protections. No late fees, in-school default protection, six payment relief options, and a 6+6-month grace period provide an unusually strong safety net for a private student loan.
- Post-bachelor graduate certificate students. Abe is one of the few lenders that explicitly covers graduate certificate programs, not just degree programs.
- Families who prioritize fast co-signer release. Abe’s 12-month timeline matches the fastest in the industry.
Not the Best Fit
- Borrowers who want an established consumer track record. Abe launched in June 2024 and has no Trustpilot reviews, no J.D. Power ranking, and limited CFPB data. Borrowers who prefer a lender with years of verified consumer feedback should consider Sallie Mae, SoFi, or Earnest.
- West Virginia residents. Abe is not available to permanent residents of West Virginia.
- Borrowers who want to refinance with the same lender. Abe does not offer refinancing. SoFi, Earnest, and Citizens offer both origination and refinancing.
- Trade school, vocational, or career training students. Abe requires enrollment at a degree-granting institution. Ascent and Sallie Mae cover career training and trade programs.
- Borrowers without a co-signer who have limited credit. While a co-signer is not required, Abe’s underwriting likely favors strong credit profiles. Ascent (outcomes-based option) and Funding U (academic merit-based) are better options for borrowers without credit history.
How to Apply for an Abe Student Loan
- Exhaust federal options first. Complete the FAFSA and accept all federal aid before considering private loans.
- Visit abestudentloans.com and click Find My Rate. You can also access Abe through marketplace platforms like Credible and Sparrow.
- Prequalify with a soft credit pull. Provide personal information, school details, loan amount, and co-signer information. See estimated rates in minutes with no impact on your credit score.
- Complete the full application. Select your rate type (fixed or variable), repayment term, and in-school payment option. Add a co-signer if applicable. This triggers a hard credit pull.
- School certification and disbursement. After approval, Abe sends the loan to your school for certification. Funds are disbursed directly to the school. Enroll in autopay for the 0.25% rate discount and start building toward the on-time payment discount.
- After graduation, request the 2% graduation reward. Contact the servicer with proof of graduation (bachelor’s degree or higher) to receive the principal reduction.
How Abe Compares
Feature | Abe | Earnest |
Fixed APR (w/ autopay) | 2.75% – 15.61% | 2.79% – 16.49% |
Variable APR (w/ autopay) | 3.53% – 15.91% | 4.19% – 16.44% |
Origination Fee | None | None |
Late Fee | None | None |
Loan Amounts | $1K – COA ($225K/$350K agg.) | $1K – COA |
Repayment Terms | 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years | 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years |
Co-signer Release | 12 months | 24 months |
In-School Options | 4 (defer, $25, interest, full) | 4 (defer, $25, interest, full) |
Grace Period | 6 months + 6-mo. extension | 9 months |
2% Grad Reward | Yes | No |
In-School Default Protection | Yes | No |
On-Time Payment Discount | Up to 0.25% | No |
Refinancing Available | No | Yes |
Trustpilot Score | N/A (too new) | 4.5 / 5.0 |
Final Verdict on Abe Student Loans
Abe earns a 4.0 out of 5.0 in our scoring framework, placing it in the top tier of private student lenders alongside Earnest, College Ave, and SoFi. Its feature set is remarkable for a new entrant: the lowest fixed rate floor in the market, zero fees of any kind, a 2% graduation reward, in-school default protection, six payment relief options, a 12-month co-signer release, and a 6+6-month grace period. For borrowers with strong credit profiles, particularly graduate and professional students in high-cost programs, Abe offers one of the most competitive and borrower-friendly private student loan products available in 2026.
The primary caveat is Abe’s newness. Launched in June 2024, it lacks the consumer review history, J.D. Power rankings, and CFPB complaint data that allow for a full assessment of the borrower experience over time. Monogram LLC’s 30+ years of behind-the-scenes experience and DR Bank’s FDIC backing mitigate this concern, but borrowers who prioritize a proven consumer track record may prefer an established lender like Earnest or SoFi. The West Virginia exclusion and lack of refinancing are additional limitations.
Before applying for any private student loan, including Abe, borrowers should exhaust all federal student loan options. Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans carry fixed rates set by Congress (currently 6.53% for undergraduates and 8.08% for graduates in the 2025-2026 academic year), offer income-driven repayment plans, and provide access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other protections that no private lender matches. Private loans should fill the gap after federal aid, savings, grants, and scholarships have been maximized.
Methodology
This review scores Abe across six weighted categories: Rates & Fees (25%), Loan Terms & Repayment Flexibility (20%), Eligibility & Accessibility (20%), Speed & Application Process (15%), Customer Experience (10%), and Transparency & Reputation (10%).
Frequently asked questions
Answers to your questions about Abe student loans.
Abe does not disclose a minimum credit score. Positive income (at least $1 annually) is required. Applying with a creditworthy co-signer improves approval chances and may secure a lower rate. Rates depend on credit history, term, repayment option, deferment period, and loan amount.
For every 6 consecutive months of on-time principal and interest payments (within 10 days of due date), Abe reduces your rate by 0.05%, up to a maximum of 0.25%. If you enter forbearance or deferment, earned reductions are temporarily suspended and the consecutive counter resets. A single late payment permanently disqualifies the loan from earning further reductions.
If you choose the interest-only or flat $25 payment option and fall 90+ days behind during the in-school period, Abe automatically transitions your loan to full deferment instead of reporting a default. Your rate increases slightly (1% for interest-only, 0.25% for flat), and prior credit reporting remains, but you avoid the severe consequences of a default. This feature is unique to Abe and Custom Choice.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher, contact the loan servicer with proof of graduation. Abe will reduce your outstanding principal by 2% of the total net disbursed amount. This reward is available once per loan, regardless of multiple degrees. On a $50,000 loan, the reward is a $1,000 principal reduction.
Both Abe and Custom Choice are managed by Monogram LLC and funded by DR Bank. They share some features (2% graduation reward, in-school default protection, zero late fees) but are separate products with different rate ranges, aggregate limits, and grace period structures. Abe launched in June 2024 with a lower rate floor and higher aggregate caps for professional degree programs.
Yes. After 12 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments and meeting credit criteria, you can apply for co-signer release. Borrowers in a reduced repayment plan are not eligible to apply.
Yes. International students can apply with a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. DACA recipients can also apply with an eligible co-signer.
No. Abe is an in-school origination product only. Borrowers who want to refinance can do so through third-party lenders like SoFi, Earnest, or Citizens.
