BEST OF
5 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.
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.
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.
Summary of Best Refinance Lenders for Paying Off Student Loans Fast
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for Customized repayment schedules | 2.98 - 5.79% | 1.99 - 5.64% | 650 | Check Rate on Earnest's website | |
Best for Spousal consolidation | 2.99 - 5.15% | 2.16 - 4.46% | 670 | Check Rate on Purefy's website | |
Best for Nonstandard loan terms | 3.34 - 5.69% | 3.24 - 5.54% | Upper 600s | Check Rate on College Ave's website | |
Best for Offers from multiple lenders | 2.63 - 5.49% | N/A | 650 | Check Rate on Splash Financial's website | |
Best for Payment flexibility if you run into trouble | 3.49 - 8.14% | N/A | 680 | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
on Earnest's website
Earnest Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Earnest's website
on Purefy's website
PenFed Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Purefy's website
on College Ave's website
College Ave Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on College Ave's website

on Splash Financial's website
Splash Financial Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Splash Financial's website

on NerdWallet's secure website
RISLA Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on NerdWallet's secure website
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 that 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.
Last updated on February 5, 2021
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Refinance Lenders for Paying Off Student Loans Fast
- Earnest Student Loan Refinance: Best for Customized repayment schedules
- PenFed Student Loan Refinance: Best for Spousal consolidation
- College Ave Student Loan Refinance: Best for Nonstandard loan terms
- Splash Financial Student Loan Refinance: Best for Offers from multiple lenders
- RISLA Student Loan Refinance: Best for Payment flexibility if you run into trouble