3 Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
A credit union student loan refinance lender may be right for you if you prefer credit unions over banks, or if it offers you the best deal.
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Refinancing student loans through a credit union is similar to refinancing with a bank or online lender with a few differences. But the type of lender you choose is less important than finding the best possible rate and features you’re seeking.
Compare credit union refinance rates with other student loan refinance lenders’ rates before making a decision.
Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LendKey Student Loan Refinance Check rateon LendKey's website on LendKey's website COMPARE RATESon Credible’s website on Credible’s website | 4.0 /5 | 660 | 7.11-11.18% | N/A | Check rateon LendKey's website on LendKey's website COMPARE RATESon Credible’s website on Credible’s website |
3.5 /5 | Does not disclose | N/A | N/A | ||
3.0 /5 | 660 | 6.80-7.45% | N/A |
LendKey Student Loan Refinance
660
7.11-11.18%
N/A
LendKey is a student loan refinance marketplace that helps pair borrowers with community banks and credit unions, including Summit Credit Union and Veridian Credit Union. LendKey services all of the loans originated through its platform.
LendKey’s average refinance borrower earns $63,000 a year, making the company a strong option for those who don’t earn six figures.
- Forbearance of 18 months for 15- and 20-year loan terms is longer than many lenders.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Loans aren't available in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island or West Virginia.
- No payment postponement available if borrowers return to school or serve in the military.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 751.
- Loan amounts: $5,000 to $300,000, depending on the higest degree earned.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least an associate degree.
Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance
Does not disclose
N/A
N/A
Navy Federal Credit Union is one of the few student loan refinance lenders that accepts borrowers whose highest education level is an associate degree.
- Forbearance of 18 months is longer than many lenders offer.
- Greater-than-minimum payments allowed via autopay.
- Available only to existing Navy Federal Credit Union customers
- Students cannot refinance a parent PLUS loan in their name.
- You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.
- $7,500 minimum to $125,000 for undergraduates, or $175,000 for graduate students.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least an associate degree.
First Tech Federal Credit Union Student Loan Refinance
660
6.80-7.45%
N/A
First Tech Federal Credit Union caters to borrowers who work in the technology industry and has unique repayment options that let borrowers make lower monthly payments starting out. Its student loan specialists can answer your questions throughout the refinancing process. However, it doesn't offer deferment or forbearance options.
- Three repayment options: Fixed, interest-only or balloon.
- Greater-than-minimum payments allowed via autopay.
- No option to temporarily pause payments through forbearance.
- No death or disability discharge.
- Students cannot refinance a parent PLUS loan in their name.
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 660.
- Loan amounts: No minimum or maximum.
- Must have a degree: Did not disclose.
How credit unions are different
Unlike banks and online lenders, credit unions require membership and are nonprofit institutions.
You may be able to apply for credit union membership as part of your student loan refinancing application. The credit union may require that you live in a certain geographic area, have a certain employer or are a military member, for example.
As nonprofits, credit unions give back to their members in different ways. For instance, some credit unions may reward student loan refinance customers for staying current with their loans. For example, they might offer lump-sum rebates and small interest rate reductions.
STUDENT LOAN REFINANCE RATINGS METHODOLOGY
Our survey of more than 29 banks, credit unions and online lenders offering student loans and student loan refinancing includes the top 10 lenders by market share and the top 10 lenders by online search volume, as well as lenders that serve specialty or nontraditional markets.
We consider 41 features and data points for each financial institution. Depending on the category, these include the availability of biweekly payments through autopay, minimum credit score and income requirement disclosures, availability to borrowers in all states, extended grace periods and in-house customer service.
The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star.
Read more about our ratings methodologies for student loan refinance and our editorial guidelines.
Last updated on August 21, 2023
NerdWallet's Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
- LendKey Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers who value payment flexibility
- Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers who have an associate degree
- First Tech Federal Credit Union Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers who expect their income to grow over time
