Refinancing your student loans can help some borrowers pay off their debt quicker and save money in the long run. With the Federal Reserve expected to start cutting rates as early as next month, student loan refinance rates will likely decline — meaning it may soon be a good time to pursue the strategy.
Read on for our best student loan refinance company reviews, plus industry insights and a comprehensive guide on when to refinance student loans. If you’re looking for more information on in-school loans to pay for college, see our picks for best student loans.
Why Trust Us?
Our edit team has been covering student loans (and student loan refinance) for the better part of a decade. Our writers and editors independently analyzed and vetted student loan refinance products, focusing on eligibility, perks, interest rates and fees, to determine which lenders stand out. (See our methodology here.)
Our Top Picks for the Best Student Loan Refinance Companies of 2024
- RISLA – Best for Borrower Protections
- Credible – Best Student Loan Marketplace
- Earnest – Best for Flexible Repayment Terms
- MPOWER Financing – Best for International and DACA Students
- SoFi – Best for Member Benefits
- Laurel Road – Best for Medical Professionals
Best Student Loan Refinance Reviews
- Income-based payment option
- Forbearance for financial hardships
- In-school refinancing available
- Only offers fixed-rate loans
- Maximum loan term is 15 years
- No cosigner release
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- $40,000
- Minimum credit score
- No minimum credit score but lender conducts credit check
- Cosigner release
- No
- Loan amount
- $7,500 to $250,000
- Loan terms
- Immediate repayment: 5-,10- and 15-year terms | Deferred repayment: 15 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (both student and parent PLUS) and private loans
- Eligible degrees
- Bachelor’s and graduate degrees
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- Yes
- Fees
- No application or origination fees. Late payment fee may apply
- Fixed interest rate
- Immediate repayment: 6.34%-8.29% APR (Lowest rates include 0.25% autopay discount) | Deferred repayment: 7.30%%-8.52% APR (Lowest rates include 0.25% autopay discount)
- Variable interest rate
- Unavailable
WHY WE CHOSE IT
RISLA stands out from other lenders because of its borrower protection programs, including an income-based repayment option. Under this program, monthly payments will never exceed 15% of the borrower and cosigner’s discretionary income. And if there is still a loan balance after 25 years on the repayment plan, RISLA will forgive the remainder. There’s also an economic hardship forbearance to help borrowers experiencing financial hardship, unemployment or disability manage their debt.
See rates on RISLA’s Secure Website >>
- Compare multiple offers with soft credit check
- Parent and student loan refinancing
- $200 best rate guarantee
- Does not include all major lenders
- Repayment policies vary by company
- Loans serviced by third parties
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- Varies by lender
- Minimum credit score
- Varies by lender
- Cosigner release
- Varies by lender
- Loan amounts
- $5,000 up to total balance
- Loan terms
- 5-20 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (including student and Parent PLUS) and private
- Eligible degrees
- Undergraduate and graduate/professional
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- Dependent on lender
- Fees
- No origination or application. Late payment fees may apply.
- Fixed interest rate
- 5.24% – 10.99% APR
- Variable interest rate
- 5.28% – 12.43% APR
WHY WE CHOSE IT
We chose Credible as our best student loan marketplace because its prequalification tool allows borrowers to check personalized rates from multiple lenders after filling out a single application. Credible partner lenders include Citizens Bank, EdvestinU, ELFI, INvestEd, LendKey, MEFA and RISLA. All of Credible’s partners offer competitive rates with no origination fees.
See full Credible student loan refinance review>>
See rates on Credible’s Secure Website >>
- Customizable payments
- Monthly and biweekly payments available
- In-school refinancing available
- No cosigner releases
- Not available in Nevada
- High credit score required
- Variable-rate loans not available in all states
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- Does not disclose
- Minimum credit score
- 650
- Cosigner release
- No
- Loan amount
- $5,000 up to $500,000
- Loan terms
- 5-20 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (including student and Parent PLUS) and private
- Eligible degrees
- Bachelor’s and graduate/professional
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- Yes, if the student is in the last semester before graduation
- Fees
- No origination or application fees. Late payment fees may apply.
- Fixed interest rate
- 4.99% – 9.74% APR (includes 0.25% autopay discount)
- Variable interest rate
- 5.89% – 9.74% APR (includes 0.25% autopay discount) | Variable-rate loans aren’t available in Alaska, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennessee or Texas
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Earnest is our top pick for customizing loan repayment due to its flexible payment options, which is unique among lenders. Earnest allows borrowers to pick the monthly payment that fits their budget, and sets the repayment term based on that amount (even if it results in an uncommon number like 7.5 years).
Read full Earnest student loan refinance review>>
See rates on Earnest’s Secure Website >>
- Only lender that offers refinancing options for international students
- Borrowers build U.S. credit history with their loan payments
- Accepts DACA recipients, refugees and asylum seekers with a valid visa
- Accepts international applicants without cosigner or credit history
- Origination and currency conversion fees apply
- High interest rates
- A single repayment term
- No refinance options for borrowers with unfinished degrees
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- Does not disclose
- Minimum credit score
- Does not disclose
- Cosigner release
- Not applicable
- Loan amount
- $2,001- $100,000
- Loan terms
- 10-year
- Eligible loan types
- International, federal and private loans
- Eligible degrees
- Undergraduate and graduate
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- No
- Fees
- 2.00% origination fee. Foreign currency exchange rate fee and late payment fees may apply.
- Fixed interest rate
- 11.74% with autopay discount (12.23% APR incorporating fees).
- Variable interest rate
- Not available
WHY WE CHOSE IT
MPower Financing is a public benefit corporation that specializes in financing higher education for international students. Most lenders require borrowers to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify for student loan refinancing, but MPOWER will allow borrowers to refinance loans originated in several countries, including Australia, Austria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Germany, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S.
Read full MPower student loan refinance review>>
See rates on MPower Financing’s Secure Website >>
- Rate discounts for members
- Financial coaching and other benefits
- Special payment plans for medical residency
- Parent loan refinancing available
- High credit score needed for lowest rates
- Loans serviced through a third party
- Bar exam loans for lawyers and medical residency loans aren’t eligible for refinancing
- Does not allow cosigner releases
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- Does not disclose
- Minimum credit score
- Does not disclose
- Cosigner release
- No
- Loan amount
- $5,000 up to total balance
- Loan terms
- 5-20 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (including student and Parent PLUS) and private
- Eligible degrees
- Associate, bachelor’s and graduate/professional
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- No
- Fees
- No origination, application or late fees.
- Fixed interest rate
- 5.24% – 9.99% APR (lowest rates include autopay discount)
- Variable interest rate
- 6.24% – 9.99% APR (lowest rates include autopay discount)
Why we chose it: SoFi stands out for its variety of membership perks. Anyone with a SoFi product (banking and investment services, personal loans, mortgage loans, credit and student loans) gets access to free financial planning, estate planning discounts, networking events and more.
Read full SoFi student loan refinance review>>
See rates on SoFi’s Secure Website >>
- Low payments through the medical residency refinancing program
- Lower rates for eligible healthcare professionals
- Loan terms as long as 20 years
- Limited options for those with associate degrees
- Lowest rates require you to sign up for a bank account
- Loans serviced by Mohela, a third party company
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- Does not disclose
- Minimum credit score
- Does not disclose
- Cosigner release
- Yes
- Loan amount
- $5,000 to total balance ($50,000 maximum for associate degrees)
- Loan terms
- 5-20 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (including student and Parent PLUS) and private
- Eligible degrees
- Associate (some fields), bachelor’s and graduate/professional
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- No
- Fees
- No origination or application. Late payment fees may apply.
- Fixed interest rate
- 5.44% – 9.75% (with autopay discount)
- Variable interest rate
- 5.49%-9.95% (with autopay discount)
Rates current as of Aug. 1, 2024, rates subject to change. Terms and Conditions apply. All products are subject to credit approval. Please see all Laurel Road disclaimers here.
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Laurel Road is an online lender specializing in student loan refinancing for doctors, offering lower rates for healthcare professionals. Plus, it has a program for individuals participating in a medical residency program that allows you to refinance your loans and pay just $100 per month for up to four years during your residency or fellowship.
See full Laurel Road student loan refinance review>>
See rates on Laurel Road’s Secure Website >>
Other Companies We Considered
The companies reviewed below offer competitive student loan refinance interest rates and loan terms that may suit many borrowers. Readers will find short reviews that outline each lender’s pros and cons, as well as a highlights table listing loan terms and eligibility requirements. Finally, we explain why the company didn’t make it into our top picks.
Splash Financial
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- Varies by partner lender
- Minimum credit score
- Varies by partner lender
- Cosigner release
- Varies by partner lender
- Loan amount
- $5,000 to total balance
- Loan terms
- 5-25 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (including student and Parent PLUS) and private
- Eligible degrees
- Associate (some fields), bachelor’s and graduate/professional
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- No
- Fees
- No origination or application. Late payment fees may apply.
- Fixed interest rates
- Standard student loan refinancing: 4.99% – 9.99% (with autopay discount) | Medical school refinancing: 6.39% – 9.84% (with autopay discount)
- Variable interest rates
- Standard student loan refinancing: 4.99% – 9.99% (with autopay discount) | Medical school refinancing: 6.39% – 9.84% (with autopay discount)
WHY IT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT
Splash Financial offers competitive rates and an easy loan application. Like other marketplaces, policies and repayment terms will vary by lender. But unlike our top pick for marketplace, Splash doesn’t offer added bonuses or incentives to use the platform.
For more information, read our full review of Splash Financial>>
See rates on Splash Financial’s Secure Website >>
Navy Federal Credit Union
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirement
- Does not disclose
- Minimum credit score
- Does not disclose
- Cosigner release
- Yes
- Loan amount
- $7,500 to $125,000 for undergraduate loans, $175,000 for graduate or combined loans
- Loan terms
- 5-15 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (including student and Parent PLUS) and private
- Eligible degrees
- Bachelor’s and graduate/professional
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- No
- Fees
- No origination or application. Late payment fees may apply.
- Fixed interest rate
- 4.85%-12.55% (lowest rate includes autopay discount)
- Variable interest rate
- 6.48%-13.78% (lowest rate includes autopay discount)
WHY IT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT
Navy Federal only services members of the military or those who have family or household members in the armed forces. By contrast, other credit unions allow any one to join.
See full Navy Federal student loan refinance review>>
See rates on Navy Federal’s Secure Website >>
Citizens Bank
HIGHLIGHTS
- Minimum income requirements
- $24,000 annually
- Minimum credit score
- Does not disclose
- Cosigner release
- Yes
- Loan amount
- $10,000 to $300,000 for undergraduate debt, $500,000 for graduate debt and $750,000 for professional degree debt
- Loan terms
- 5-20 years
- Eligible loan types
- Federal (including student and Parent PLUS) and private
- Eligible degrees
- Bachelor’s and graduate/professional
- Allows refinance for non-graduates
- Yes
- Fees
- No origination or application. Late payment fees may apply.
- Fixed interest rate
- 6.49% – 10.99% APR (lowest rates include loyalty and autopay discounts)
- Variable interest rate
- 7.05% – 12.45% APR (lowest rates include loyalty and autopay discounts)
WHY IT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT
Citizens Bank has strict eligibility requirements. Borrowers need good to excellent credit to qualify, and the refinanced loan minimum is $10,000 — higher than other lenders require. Citizens Bank does have forbearance programs, but the lender says decisions are made on a case-by-case basis rather than having set requirements or durations.
For more information, check out our full review of Citizens Bank’s refinancing options.
See rates on Citizens Bank’s Secure Website >>
Student Loan Refinance Guide
Students and parents may be able to save money by refinancing, especially during periods of low interest rates. But refinancing isn’t a smart move for every borrower, so before taking that step, consider the implications of refinancing and if the outcome will be beneficial to your particular financial situation. For example, federal borrowers may score a lower interest rate but lose financial protections that could be crucial down the road.
Use our guide as a starting point to learn about refinancing, how it works and whether it’s the right choice to manage your student debt.
Table of Contents:
How does refinancing student loans work?
When you refinance your student loan you are replacing your current loan with a new loan and new terms from a private lender. Generally, borrowers refinance student loans to extend their repayment period (and therefore lower monthly payments), obtain a lower interest rate so they’ll pay less over the life of the loan or consolidate multiple student loans into one single payment. Some loan borrowers may find terms that achieve all three at once.
You can only refinance student loans through a private lender, not the federal government. Experts caution people with federal loans to think very carefully about their situation before refinancing, because they’ll be giving up federal benefits that come with government loans such as student loan forgiveness programs and income-driven repayment plans. If your student loan is from a private lender, there’s little downside to looking for better terms. You can refinance private student loans with your current lender or choose a different lender.
Student loan refinancing vs. Student loan consolidation
One of the benefits of refinancing through a private student loan lender is that borrowers can consolidate multiple loans into one and have a single monthly payment under one servicer. But this benefit is not limited to private lenders. Students with eligible federal loans can consolidate their debt with a Direct Consolidation Loan, though there are pros and cons with that process as well.
Here are the key differences between federal student loan consolidation and refinancing:
Direct Consolidation Loans
Replaces one or more existing loans — federal or private — with a new private loan.
Combines your existing federal student loans into one federal student loan.
Available for federal and private loans, depending on the lender.
Available for federal student loans only.
Interest rates are determined by your credit history and potential market trends. This may result in a lower interest rate.
Your new interest rate will be the result of the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans you’re consolidating, so this option does not reduce the amount of interest you’re paying each month.
Credit history will be verified.
Does not require a credit check for approval.
Multiple repayment terms are available, often 5 to 20 years.
Consolidation loans offer several repayment options beyond the standard 10-year repayment plan, with terms ranging from 12 to 30 years.
Parent PLUS loans can be refinanced under the adult child’s name, relieving parents of debt.
Parent PLUS loans cannot be consolidated under the adult child’s name.
You lose all benefits associated with federal student loans.
You retain many benefits and protections available to federal student loans.
Should you refinance your student loans?
Refinancing your debt — whether federal or private student loans — may save you money if you have high interest rates and a large monthly payment. However, it’s not always the best financial move, especially for borrowers with federal loans.
Refinancing a federal loan means converting it to a private lender. You’ll lose valuable benefits and protections, such as income-based loan repayment plans, Public Service Loan Forgiveness and interest subsidies. And, the process cannot be reversed. For many federal borrowers, enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan will be a better option, as those plans can reduce your monthly payment and offer loan forgiveness on any balance left over after a certain number of years.
If you have a private student loan, there’s no real downside to refinancing to get better terms. But you will need a good credit score and stable income (or a creditworthy cosigner) to qualify for refinancing. When weighing whether it makes sense for you, remember that lenders’ lowest rates are reserved for borrowers with the strongest credit.
Pros and cons of student loan refinance
Consider the following advantages and disadvantages to determine if refinancing your student loan is the right choice:
- Take advantage of market fluctuations to reduce your rate
- Shorten your loan repayment term
- Increase or lower your monthly payment
- Consolidate federal and private student loans and have a single monthly payment
- Option to remove your cosigner
- Multiple repayment terms are available, often 5 to 20-year terms
- No federal repayment protections
- No federal student loan forgiveness
- Generally no income-based repayment option
- Subject to the private lender’s repayment terms
- No flexibility to alter the repayment plan without refinancing
- Irreversible: private loans can’t be converted back to federal loans
What to consider when refinancing a student loan
Before refinancing your loans, consider the following:
Federal student loans
With federal student loans, refinancing can help you secure a lower interest rate and possibly reduce your monthly payment. But federal loan refinancing can be risky because your federal loans will be transferred to a private lender. As a result, you’ll no longer be eligible for borrower protections like federal income-driven repayment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness or Total and Permanent Disability Discharge.
Private student loans
When you refinance, the loans are switched to a new loan servicer. Private loan rates, policies and customer service varies by lender, so be careful about refinancing your loans.
Steps to refinance your student loans
Refinancing student loans can be an excellent way to save money or accelerate your repayment, and it’s easier to do than you may think:
1. Check your credit
Student loan refinance lenders generally require borrowers to have good to excellent credit, meaning a score of 670 or higher, and to get the best student loan refinancing rates, you’ll need an even better score. Check your credit to see where you stand. If your credit is less-than-perfect or you have a high debt-to-income ratio, you may not even qualify for a loan unless you add a cosigner to your application.
Not all refinancing companies offer cosigner releases, so review the lender’s loan terms to see if a cosigner release is possible.
2. Consider the types of loans you have
If you have a mix of federal and private loans, remember that you don’t have to refinance all of your debt. Although you can refinance private student loans and federal loans, you can opt to only refinance your private loans or your loans with the highest rates.
3. Shop for the best rate
Each lender has its own credit and income requirements, so you may qualify for better rates with some lenders over others. Shop around and request quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal. Many lenders have tools that allow you to view prequalified rates without affecting your credit score.
Rates range based on your credit and loan term; the lowest rates are usually for the shorter repayment periods, such as five or seven years.
4. Research lender’s financial hardship relief options
Not all refinancing lenders offer financial relief programs if you lose your job or become ill. And not all lenders will discharge your loans in cases of death or permanent disability. Carefully review the lender’s forbearance, deferment and forgiveness policies so you know under what circumstances the lender will pause or forgive your loans.
5. Fill out your loan application
Student loan refinancing companies allow you to apply online. You’ll need to provide your current loan statements, student loan account numbers and employment information. You’ll also need to consent to a hard credit inquiry.
6. Sign your loan approval and start making monthly payments
Once you’re approved, the lender will send you a loan agreement to review and sign. After that, the lender will work with your current loan servicers to pay off your student loans. Continue making your usual monthly payments until you receive confirmation that your loans have been paid in full; otherwise, you risk late payment fees and damage to your credit report.
How to refinance student loans with bad credit
If you have poor credit or no credit history, you will need a cosigner with a high credit score and steady source of income to qualify for a loan. (Most lenders require a minimum credit score around 680, but your cosigner will need a very good or excellent score to qualify for the best rates) Some lenders will allow you to apply for a cosigner release if you meet its requirements and make a specific number of payments on time, but not all lenders offer that option.
If you don’t have a cosigner to apply with, you’ll have to improve your credit before applying to refinance.
Best Student Loan Refinance Companies FAQ
What happens when you refinance student loans?
When you refinance student loans, you are taking out a new loan, ideally one with better terms, to pay off your existing debt(s). With federal loans, you’ll have to leave the federal loan program and take out a private loan to refinance your debt, while refinancing private loans usually means switching lenders. Most borrowers look for a lower interest rate when refinancing.
How often can you refinance student loans?
There is no limit to how often you can refinance your loans. Some borrowers may find that they can qualify for lower rates later as the economy changes and their credit scores improve, so it can make sense to shop around once a year to see what loan options are available.
How to refinance student loans with bad credit?
If you have poor credit or no credit history, you will need a cosigner with a high credit score and steady source of income to qualify for a loan. Some lenders will allow you to apply for a cosigner release if you meet its annual income requirements and make a specific number of payments on time, but not all lenders offer that option.
Who has the best student loan refinance rates?
As of August 2024, you can find one of the lowest student loan refinance annual percentage rates (APRs) through Navy Federal Credit Union, which offers fixed rate loans at 4.85%. However, other lenders may offer a lower rate for your specific situation, so it’s always smart to shop around.
Is refinancing student loans worth it?
Whether refinancing student loan debt is worth it depends on the existing rates of your loans, your credit and how long you have left to repay your loan balance. There is no fee to refinance your loans, so if you can reduce the interest rate, it can be an easy way to save a substantial amount of money.
How we chose the Best Student Loan Refinance Companies
Loan refinance selection
Some lenders didn’t make our cut because they didn’t offer a full range of refi options, such as for Parent PLUS student loans, which was a non-negotiable point in our criteria.
Payment options and fees
We favored companies with flexible payback policies, such as cosigner release and financial hardship relief options for qualified applicants. We also looked for financial institutions that offered refinance loans without charging origination fees or late fees. Additionally, we favored lenders who offered interest rate reductions for signing up for automatic student loan payments, or autopay programs.
Customer experience
When we researched each company on our shortlist, it was important for us to evaluate whether lenders had an inordinate number of complaints or any ongoing actions with regulatory agencies such as the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
Summary of Money’s Best Student Loan Refinance Companies of 2024
- RISLA – Best for Borrower Protections
- Credible – Best Student Loan Marketplace
- Earnest – Best for Flexible Repayment Terms
- MPOWER Financing – Best for International and DACA Students
- SoFi – Best for Member Benefits
- Laurel Road – Best for Medical Professionals
Andrea Agostini Ferrer and Gabriella Cruz-Martinez contributed to previous versions of this story.