I've learned some important things via your post. I would also like to convey that there may be a situation in which you will get a loan and do not need a co-signer such as a U.S. Student Support Loan. However, if you are getting a borrowing arrangement through a conventional financial institution then you need to be ready to have a cosigner ready to help you. The lenders will certainly base any decision on a few factors but the biggest will be your credit rating. There are some lenders that will as well look at your job history and choose based on this but in most cases it will hinge on your rating.