Best of
Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
At NerdWallet, we strive to help you make financial decisions with confidence. To do this, many or all of the products featured here are from our partners. However, this doesn’t influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
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.
on LendKey's website
on LendKey's website
Fixed APR
3.49-7.50%
Variable APR
2.24-6.67%
Min. Credit Score
660
Pros
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
Qualifications
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 754.
- Loan amounts: $5,000 to $300,000, depending on the higest degree earned.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least an associate degree.
Available Term Lengths
- 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years
Disclaimer: See LendKey's full terms and conditions at https://www.lendkey.com/disclaimers
on Purefy's website
on Purefy's website
Fixed APR
3.87-7.03%
Variable APR
2.86-7.60%
Min. Credit Score
670
Pros
- Married couples can refinance student loans into a single loan.
- You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
Cons
- No formal deferment/forbearance options.
Qualifications
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 777.
- Loan amounts: $7,500 to $300,000.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least a bachelor’s degree.
Available Term Lengths
- 5, 8, 12 or 15 years
Disclaimer: Rates and offers current as July 1, 2019. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the cost of credit calculating the interest rate, loan amount, repayment term and the timing of payments. Fixed Rates range from 3.87% APR to 7.03% APR and Variable Rate range from 3.02% APR to 7.76%. Both Fixed and Variable Rates will vary based on application terms, level of degree and presence of a co-signer. These rates are subject to additional terms and conditions and rates are subject to change at any time without notice. For Variable Rate student loans, the rate will never exceed 9.00% for 5 year and 8 year loans and 10.00% for 12 and 15 years loans (the maximum allowable for this loan). Minimum variable rate will be 2.00%. These rates are subject to additional terms and conditions, and rates are subject to change at any time without notice. Such changes will only apply to applications taken after the effective date of change.This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
on NerdWallet's secure website
on NerdWallet's secure website
Fixed APR
3.75-7.15%
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
Pros
- Three repayment options: Fixed, interest-only or balloon.
- Greater-than-minimum payments allowed via autopay.
Cons
- No option to temporarily pause payments through forbearance.
- You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Students cannot refinance a parent PLUS loan in their name.
Qualifications
- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: No minimum or maximum.
- Must have a degree: Did not disclose.
Available Term Lengths
- 5, 10 or 15 years
Disclaimer: APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Actual rate will be determined based on the applicant’s credit history, primary State of residency, collateral financed, mileage and final loan terms. Offer is subject to normal credit qualifications, meeting First Tech Federal Credit Union’s relationship requirements and underwriting policy guidelines. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.
on NerdWallet's secure website
on NerdWallet's secure website
Fixed APR
4.29-12.46%
Variable APR
4.96-12.84%
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
Pros
- Forbearance of 18 months is longer than many lenders offer.
- Greater-than-minimum payments allowed via autopay.
Cons
- 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.
Qualifications
- 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.
Available Term Lengths
- 5, 10 or 15 years
Summary of Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
| Lender | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LendKey Student Loan Refinance Check Rate on LendKey's website | 3.49-7.50% | 2.24-6.67% | 660 | Check Rate on LendKey's website |
PenFed Student Loan Refinance Check Rate on Purefy's website | 3.87-7.03% | 2.86-7.60% | 670 | Check Rate on Purefy's website |
First Tech Federal Credit Union Student Loan Refinance See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | 3.75-7.15% | N/A | Does not disclose | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | 4.29-12.46% | 4.96-12.84% | Does not disclose | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
| Lender | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LendKey Student Loan Refinance Check Rate on LendKey's website | 3.49-7.50% | 2.24-6.67% | 660 | Check Rate on LendKey's website |
PenFed Student Loan Refinance Check Rate on Purefy's website | 3.87-7.03% | 2.86-7.60% | 670 | Check Rate on Purefy's website |
First Tech Federal Credit Union Student Loan Refinance See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | 3.75-7.15% | N/A | Does not disclose | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | 4.29-12.46% | 4.96-12.84% | Does not disclose | See my rates 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 July 2, 2019
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Credit Unions That Refinance Student Loans
- LendKey Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers who value payment flexibility
- PenFed Student Loan Refinance: Best for Married couples who want to refinance their student loans into a single one
- First Tech Federal Credit Union Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers who expect their income to grow over time
- Navy Federal Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers who have an associate degree
