Should students gamble on an income share agreement?

Students watching the COVID-19 pandemic play out have reason to be wary of taking on additional loans for college. With what could be a slow economic recovery, signing up for an additional bill that comes each month, no matter what, might sound like a bad idea.

Federal student loan payments are currently paused. But those repayments are scheduled to resume next year before current students can take advantage of the halt. And while government income-based repayment plans and forbearance can offer a respite for economic hardships, interest still continues to add up. Private loans are even less forgiving and almost always require a co-signer.

But there’s an alternative emerging: income share agreements, or ISAs. With these agreements, students borrow money from their school or a third-party provider and repay a fixed percentage of their future income for a predetermined amount of time after leaving school.

Depending on the terms of the agreement and the student’s post-graduation salary, the total repaid could be much more or far less than the amount borrowed. It’s a gamble that could be worth it for students who’ve exhausted federal aid and scholarships. Here’s why.

NO CO-SIGNER REQUIRED

Most students need a co-signer to qualify for private student loans. Co-signers are on the hook for any missed payment, and a large balance can be a burden on their credit report. As families look to make ends meet, they may need that borrowing leverage for themselves.

Income share agreements are co-signer-free. Instead of credit history, students typically get an ISA based on their year in school and major. The best terms are often reserved for students in high-earning majors near graduation, like seniors studying STEM fields. But high earners also risk having to repay a...