 TITLE: Authorized User vs. Cosigner: What Is the Difference? CONTENT: When You Should Choose a Cosigner\n---------------------------------\nThere are multiple ways to use credit cards without a cosigner, but some financial products may require a cosigner if you don't have sufficient credit history. A lender may decide you can't qualify for an auto loan on your own, for instance, which would make using a cosigner a strong option.\nPrivate student loans may also require a cosigner, since undergraduates in particular often do not have enough credit to be eligible on their own. Federal student loans, though, are not credit-based, so students can get funding for college without a credit check. Compared with private loans, federal loans also generally have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment programs. It's best for students to borrow the maximum amount possible in federal loans, in addition to taking all the grants and scholarships they qualify for, before exploring private loans. END