Best of
4 Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
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A credit union student loan refinance lender may be right for you if you prefer credit unions over banks, or if it offers the lowest interest rate you qualify for or a unique feature you value, such as initial interest-only payments.
Refinancing student loans through a credit union is similar to refinancing with a bank or online lender — more on the differences below. But the type of lender you choose is less important than finding the best possible rate and features you’re seeking, like the option to combine your loans with your spouse’s.
Compare credit union refinance rates with other student loan refinance lenders’ rates before making a decision.
Refinancing student loans through a credit union is similar to refinancing with a bank or online lender — more on the differences below. But the type of lender you choose is less important than finding the best possible rate and features you’re seeking, like the option to combine your loans with your spouse’s.
Compare credit union refinance rates with other student loan refinance lenders’ rates before making a decision.
Summary of Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
| Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for Married couples who want to refinance their student loans into a single one | 3.23 - 5.53% | 2.58 - 4.98% | 670 | Check Rate on Purefy's website | |
Best for Borrowers who value payment flexibility | 3.19 - 7.75% | 2.60 - 5.25% | 660 | Check Rate on LendKey's website | |
Best for Borrowers who have an associate degree | 3.39 - 11.78% | 2.89 - 11.45% | Does not disclose | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | |
Best for Borrowers who expect their income to grow over time | 3.20 - 7.15% | N/A | 660 | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
on Purefy's website
PenFed Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Purefy's website
on LendKey's website
LendKey Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on LendKey's website
on NerdWallet's secure website
Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on NerdWallet's secure website
on NerdWallet's secure website
First Tech Federal Credit Union Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on NerdWallet's secure website
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 periodically reward student loan refinance customers for staying current with their loans, says Christian Widhalm, senior vice president of lender partnerships at LendKey.
“They can be very creative with benefits,” Widhalm says, citing lump-sum rebates and small interest rate reductions as two examples.
Last updated on June 24, 2020
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
- PenFed Student Loan Refinance: Best for Married couples who want to refinance their student loans into a single one
- 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
