Best Refinance Lenders for Paying Off Student Loans Fast

Key facts

Earnest lets borrowers increase their minimum monthly payment at any time, schedule multiple extra payments at once and make greater-than-minimum payments via autopay.

Pros

• Customizable payments and loan terms.

• Option to skip one payment every 12 months.

• You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Cons

• You can’t apply with a co-signer.

• Loans aren't available in Delaware, Kentucky and Nevada.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Did not disclose.

• Loan amounts: $5,000 to $500,000.

• Must have a degree: No, but must be within six months of graduation and have income or a job.

Available Term Lengths

5 to 20 years

Disclaimer

Specific Annual Percentage Rate (APRs) offered within these ranges will depend on a variety of factors including your creditworthiness and other application details. Annual percentage rates (APRs) reflect 0.25% discount for optional enrollment in autopay. Your approval for an Earnest Loan is subject to the full underwriting of your loan application. Read more about qualifying for a loan with Earnest here: https://www.earnest.com/eligibility.

Key facts

SoFi lets borrowers make biweekly payments and greater-than-minimum payments via autopay.

Pros

• 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.

• Additional perks like career planning, job search assistance and entrepreneurship support available.

Cons

• No co-signer release available.

• Loan size minimum is higher than most lenders.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 700+.

• Loan amounts: $5,000, up to your total outstanding loan balance.

• Must have a degree: Yes, an associate degree or higher.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Disclaimer

Fixed rates from 3.460% APR to 7.944% APR (with AutoPay). Variable rates from 2.140% APR to 7.944% APR (with AutoPay). Interest rates on variable rate loans are capped at either 8.95% or 9.95% depending on term of loan. See APR examples and terms. Lowest variable rate of 2.140% APR assumes current 1 month LIBOR rate of 2.04588% plus 0.100% margin minus 0.25% ACH discount. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. If approved for a loan, the fixed or variable interest rate offered will depend on your creditworthiness, and the term of the loan and other factors, and will be within the ranges of rates listed above. For the SoFi variable rate loan, the 1-month LIBOR index will adjust monthly and the loan payment will be re-amortized and may change monthly. APRs for variable rate loans may increase after origination if the LIBOR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% AutoPay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. *To check the rates and terms you qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit inquiry. Unlike hard credit inquiries, soft credit inquiries (or soft credit pulls) do not impact your credit score. Soft credit inquiries allow SoFi to show you what rates and terms SoFi can offer you up front. After seeing your rates, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit inquiry. Hard credit inquiries (or hard credit pulls) are required for SoFi to be able to issue you a loan. In addition to requiring your explicit permission, these credit pulls may impact your credit score. Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

Key facts

CommonBond lets borrowers make greater-than-minimum payments via autopay. There's no option to make biweekly payments via autopay.

Pros

• Forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders offer.

• 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

• Loans aren’t available in Mississippi and Nevada.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Did not disclose.

• Loan amounts: $5,000 to $500,000.

• Must have a degree: Yes.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Disclaimer

Offered terms are subject to change. Loans are offered by CommonBond Lending, LLC (NMLS # 1175900). If you are approved for a loan, the interest rate offered will depend on your credit profile, your application, the loan term selected and will be within the ranges of rates shown. ‍ All Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed assume borrowers enroll in auto pay and account for the 0.25% reduction in interest rate. All variable rates are based on a 1-month LIBOR assumption of 2.19% effective August 10, 2019.

Key facts

Splash Financial lets borrowers make biweekly payments and greater-than-minimum payments via autopay.

Pros

• Married couples can refinance student loans into a single loan.

• You are assigned a dedicated banker.

• You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Cons

• No formal deferment/forbearance options.

• You may need to become a member of a credit union to qualify.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 778.

• Loan amounts: $5,000 to no maximum.

• Must have a degree: Yes, a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 20 years

Disclaimer

Variable APR: Annual Percentage Rate [APR] is the cost of credit calculating the interest rate, loan amount, repayment term and the timing of payments. Variable rates are based on the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") published in The Wall Street Journal on the twenty-fifth day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month. As of April 01, 2019, the one-month LIBOR rate is 2.48%. Variable interest rates range from 3.11% - 7.85% (3.11% - 7.85% APR) and will fluctuate over the term of the borrower's loan with changes in the LIBOR rate, and will vary based on applicable terms, level of degree earned and presence of a co-signer. The maximum variable rate on the student refinance loan is 9.00% for 5-year and 8-year terms, and 10.00% for 12-year and 15-year terms. The floor rate is 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. Variable APRs and amounts subject to increase or decrease. Variable rates are indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate and assume a one-month LIBOR rate of 2.48%. Your actual interest rate may be different than the student loan interest rates in these examples and will be based on term of loan, your financial history, and other factors, including your cosigner's (if any) financial history. State restrictions may apply.

Key facts

RISLA lets borrowers make greater-than-minimum and biweekly payments via autopay.

Pros

• Income-based repayment plan available, with forgiveness after 25 years.

Cons

• No co-signer release available.

• 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: 748.

• Loan amounts: $7,500 to $250,000, depending on the highest degree earned.

• Must have a degree: No.

Available Term Lengths

5, 10 or 15 years

Disclaimer

Key facts

First Republic lets borrowers make greater-than-minimum and biweekly payments via autopay. It also incentivizes fast payoff with a prepayment rebate: Borrowers who pay off their refinanced loan within four years get back the interest they paid, up to 2% of their original loan balance.

Pros

• You are assigned a dedicated relationship manager.

• Interest rebate if you pay off your refinanced loan within four years.

• You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Cons

• You must have a First Republic Bank ATM Rebate Checking account to receive the advertised rates.

• No option to pause payments through deferment or forbearance, unlike other lenders.

• Only available to borrowers who live near a First Republic Bank branch.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 770.

• Loan amounts: $25,000 to $300,000, depending on the highest degree earned.

• Must have a degree: Yes, at least a bachelor’s degree.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10 or 15 years

Disclaimer

Annual Percentage Rate. Rates effective as of February 15, 2019, and are subject to change. Borrower must open a First Republic ATM Rebate Checking account ("Account"). Terms and conditions apply to the Account. If the Account is closed, the rate will increase by 5.00%. Rates shown include relationship-based pricing adjustments of: (1) 2.00% for maintaining automatic payments and direct deposit with the Account; (2) 0.50% for depositing and maintaining a deposit balance equal to the greater of 10% of the approved loan amount or $5,000 into the Account; and (3) an additional 0.25% for depositing and maintaining a deposit balance equal to the greater of 20% of the approved loan amount or $10,000 into the Account. Payment example for a loan amount of $100,000. 5-year/60 monthly payments of $1750.59 at 1.95% APR. 7-year/84 monthly payments of $1310.10 at 2.75% APR. 10-year/120 payments of $991.21 at 3.55% APR. 15-year/180 payments of $737.19 at 3.95% APR. Assumes an original loan amount of $147,000, 10-year term, and a rate of 7.21% APR, refinanced to 3.55% APR. Total savings over the 10-year term would be $31,882. Loan amount reflects all customers who refinanced their student loans with First Republic Bank between 1/1/2015 and 9/1/2017. 7.21% was the Direct Plus Student Loan Program rate effective 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015. Actual savings may vary based on the interest rates, balances and remaining repayment term of the loans being refinanced.