8 Best Refinance Lenders for Paying Off Student Loans Fast
Look for lenders that allow biweekly and greater-than-minimum payments via autopay, and offer repayment schedules that fit your debt payoff goal.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Some refinance lenders make it easier than others to pay off student loans fast. These top-rated refinancing lenders scored highest for features that help you pay off student loans more quickly.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for more tips about how to get rid of your college debt quickly.
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- 35+ student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and student loans.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 43 categories and 40+ data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
- 35+ student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and student loans.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 43 categories and 40+ data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Best Refinance Lenders for Paying Off Student Loans Fast
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Min. credit score | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SoFi Student Loan Refinancing See Offers on SoFi®'s website COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website | 4.0 /5 | 650 | 4.49-9.99% | 5.99-9.99% | See Offers on SoFi®'s website COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website |
Earnest Student Loan Refinance See Offers on Earnest's website COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website | 4.5 /5 | 665 | 4.25-10.49% | 5.88-10.49% | See Offers on Earnest's website COMPARE RATES on Credible’s website |
4.5 /5 | 680 | 4.88-8.44% | 4.86-8.24% | See Offers on Credible’s website | |
4.5 /5 | Does not disclose | 5.90-11.38% | 6.18-12.37% | See Offers on Credible’s website | |
4.0 /5 | 680 | 4.89-9.04% | 5.54-9.12% | See Offers on Credible’s website | |
3.5 /5 | Does not disclose | 6.99-16.39% | 7.89-17.39% | ||
5.0 /5 | 670 | 5.95-9.99% | N/A | ||
3.5 /5 | Mid to High 600s | 4.99-8.84% | 5.99-9.08% |
SoFi Student Loan Refinancing
650
4.49-9.99%
5.99-9.99%
- Key factsBest for borrowers who want plenty of benefits with their refinanced student loan.Pros
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Dedicated Student Loan Debt Specialist available for borrowers.
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 Lengths5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years
Earnest Student Loan Refinance
665
4.25-10.49%
5.88-10.49%
- 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- Loans aren't available in Nevada.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 760.
- 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 Lengths5 to 20 yearsDisclaimerActual rate will vary based on your financial profile. Fixed annual percentage rates (APR) range from 4.50% APR to 10.74% APR (4.25% - 10.49% with .25% auto pay discount). Variable annual percentage rates (APR) range from 6.13% APR to 10.74% APR (5.88% - 10.49% with .25% auto pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan refinance loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once a month, but there is no limit on the amount that the rate could increase at one time. Please note, we are not able to offer variable rate loans in AK, IL, MN, NH, OH, TN, and TX. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and require selection of our shortest term offered (5 years) and enrollment in our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. Enrolling in autopay is not required as a condition for approval.
ELFI Student Loan Refinance
680
4.88-8.44%
4.86-8.24%
- Key facts
Education Loan Finance provides borrowers with a dedicated loan advisor and automatically applies extra payments to the principal loan balance.
Pros- You are assigned a student loan advisor.
- You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.
Cons- Payment postponement isn’t available for borrowers who return to school.
- The minimum amount to refinance is more than many lenders require.
- No co-signer release available.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 774.
- Loan amounts: $10,000 up to your total outstanding loan balance.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least a bachelor’s degree.
Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 yearsDisclaimerSubject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply. https://www.elfi.com/terms/
Citizens Student Loan Refinance
Does not disclose
5.90-11.38%
6.18-12.37%
- Key factsBest for existing Citizens Bank customers or borrowers who didn't graduate or aren't U.S. citizens.Pros
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.
- Loyalty discount: Borrowers with a Citizens Bank account when they apply get an additional 0.25% interest rate discount.
Cons- Estate is still responsible for loans refinanced by parents if the borrower dies.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $10,000 to $500,000.
- Must have a degree: No.
Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years
LendKey Student Loan Refinance
680
4.89-9.04%
5.54-9.12%
- Key facts
In addition to connecting borrowers with community banks and credit unions, LendKey offers five terms and automatically applies extra payments to the principal loan balance.
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.
Qualifications- 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.
Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 yearsDisclaimerSee LendKey's full terms and conditions at https://www.lendkey.com/disclaimers
PNC Student Loan Refinance
Does not disclose
6.99-16.39%
7.89-17.39%
- Key facts
PNC lets borrowers without a degree refinance while offering four loan terms and a 0.50% autopay discount, a larger discount than most other lenders offer.
Pros- Interest rate discount for autopay is larger than most lenders offer.
- Borrowers can refinance without a degree.
Cons- No flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers.
- 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 or co-signers: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $10,000 to $75,000.
- Must have a degree: No.
Available Term Lengths5, 10 or 15 years.
Advantage Education Loan Student Loan Refinance
670
5.95-9.99%
N/A
- Key facts
Advantage allows borrowers without a degree to refinance without a co-signer. They also offer bi-weekly autopay and have five repayment term options.
Pros- You can refinance without a degree.
- Forbearance of 24 months is twice as long as most 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 Alaska, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Washington, Washington D.C.
- You cannot postpone repayment if you re-enroll in school.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: Does not disclose.
- Loan amounts: Minimum $7,500. Maximum depends on creditworthiness and debt-to-income ratio.
Available Term Lengths10, 15 or 20 years
Nelnet Bank Student Loan Refinance
Mid to High 600s
4.99-8.84%
5.99-9.08%
- Key factsBest for borrowers with strong finances.Pros
- You can see if you'll qualify and what rate you'll get without a hard credit check.
Cons- Does not discharge loans in cases of death or permanent disability.
- Doesn't allow biweekly payments via autopay.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $5,000 - $500,000. Maximum loan limits subject to limits on total student loan debt.
- Must have a degree: Yes, at least an undergraduate degree.
Available Term LengthsMultiple term optionsDisclaimerFixed interest rates range from 4.99% APR (with auto debit discount) to 8.84% APR (without auto debit discount). Your interest rate will depend on your (and if applicable, your cosigner’s) credit qualifications. The fixed interest rate will remain the same for the life of the loan. Variable interest rates range from 5.99% APR (with auto debit discount) to 9.08% APR (without auto debit discount). Variable rates for Nelnet Bank Refinance Loans are calculated using either (a) the One-Month SOFR; (b) the 30-day Average SOFR; or (c) the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and/or The Wall Street Journal “Money Rates” table on the twenty-fifth day (or the next business day) of the immediately preceding calendar month. The variable rate may reprice and change on the first day of each month if the SOFR index changes. This may result in higher monthly payments. The current One-Month SOFR index is 4.31% as of July 1, 2025. Lowest rates listed above include an interest rate reduction for eligible applications, enrollment in auto debit, and are available only to the most creditworthy applicants. Advertised variable rates reflect the starting range of rates and may increase over the life of the loan. The lowest rate for each loan type requires automatically withdrawn (i.e., auto debit) payments. The lowest rate is available only to the most creditworthy applicants. Not all borrowers will receive the lowest rate. The interest rate and Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may be higher depending upon (1) the credit history of the borrower and, if applicable, the cosigner, (2) the repayment option and loan term selected, (3) the loan type selected, and (4) the highest level of education attained. If approved, applicants will be notified of the rate qualified for within the stated range. Interest rate reduction of .25% for automatically withdrawn payments from any designated bank account (“auto debit discount”). Auto debit discount applies when full payments (including both principal and interest) are automatically drafted from a bank account. The auto debit discount will continue to apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment if the auto debit discount was in effect at the time of receiving the forbearance or deferment. Auto debit discount will remain on the account unless (1) the automatic deduction of payments is cancelled or (2) there are three consecutive automatic deductions returned for insufficient funds at any time during the term of the loan. Your actual savings, if any, may vary based on interest rates, balances, remaining repayment terms and other factors. Refinancing to a longer term may lower your monthly payments, but may also increase the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Refinancing to a shorter term may increase your monthly payments, but may lower the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Checking your rate results in a soft credit pull, which will not affect your credit score. If you continue with your application, Nelnet Bank will request your permission to obtain your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies. This is a hard credit pull and may affect your credit score. Nelnet Bank offers various payment assistance programs to assist you if you are currently struggling to make payments. Contact us at [email protected] or 800.446.4190 to get more information. This referral partner is not the creditor of Nelnet Bank loans and may receive compensation from Nelnet Bank for the referral of Nelnet Bank loan customers. For federally-held student loans, interest (currently at 0%) will resume September 1, 2023 and payments (currently suspended) will begin, starting in October. Please be aware, refinancing your federally-held loans will disqualify them for any federally-held loan benefits such as potential debt forgiveness and the remaining payment suspension and 0% interest. Carefully consider your options.
The fastest way to pay off student loans
Refinancing is one of the fastest ways to pay off student loans. With a lower interest rate, the same monthly payment goes further toward the loan principal.
Here's how to prioritize fast student loan payoff during every step of the refinancing process.
Find the right refinance lender. You can pay off your refinanced student loan early regardless of which lender you choose, because student loan refinance lenders don’t charge prepayment penalties. But not all lenders go the extra mile to make quick payoff convenient. Look for lenders that let you make biweekly (every two weeks) and greater-than-minimum payments via autopay, so you can set it and forget it. (Most lenders offer a quarter-point interest rate discount for using autopay.)
Choose the shortest repayment timeline you can afford. Also look for lenders that offer repayment schedules that fit with your debt payoff goal; some offer shorter terms than others. If you want to be debt-free in seven years, for instance, it’s helpful to have a seven-year loan term. That way, you’ll meet your goal just by making the minimum payments — any extra payments will be gravy.
Refinance with the lender that offers you the lowest rate. Above are top-rated lenders that offer all or most of these fast payoff features. Get rate estimates from each and go with the lender that offers you the lowest interest rate.
Make extra and biweekly payments. Once you’ve refinanced, you can accelerate repayment by paying extra when you can and making biweekly student loan payments instead of monthly ones.
STUDENT LOAN REFINANCE RATINGS METHODOLOGY
Our survey of more than 19 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 May 14, 2025
NerdWallet's Best Refinance Lenders for Paying Off Student Loans Fast
- SoFi Student Loan Refinancing: Best for Borrowers who want plenty of benefits with their refinanced student loan
- Earnest Student Loan Refinance: Best for Customized repayment schedules
- ELFI Student Loan Refinance: Best for Customer service
- Citizens Student Loan Refinance: Best for Existing Citizens Bank customers or borrowers who didn't graduate or aren't U.S. citizens
- LendKey Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers who want to refinance with a community bank or credit union
- PNC Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers without a degree
- Advantage Education Loan Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers without a degree
- Nelnet Bank Student Loan Refinance: Best for Borrowers with strong finances
