7 Lenders That Will Refinance Student Loans for Borrowers With No Degree

Key facts

Pros

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

• You can refinance without a degree.

• You can refinance while in school or during a medical residency.

Cons

• Interest rates vary by refi product.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Approximately 750.

• Loan amounts: $5,000 to $300,000. (Minimum for California residents is $10,000.)

• Must have a degree: No.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20

Key facts

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, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington or 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 Lengths

10, 15 or 20 years

Key facts

Pros

• More flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers than other lenders.

• No late fees.

• You can refinance without a degree.

Cons

• You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• No option to make greater-than-minimum payments via autopay.

Qualifications

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

• Loan amounts: $5,001 minimum, maximum $150,000 for undergraduate and graduate programs, $250,000 for professional degree programs.

• Must have a degree: No.

Available Term Lengths

5 to 20 years

Key facts

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 Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Disclaimer

Education Refinance Loan Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 2.24%-8.90% (2.24%-8.90% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 2.39%-9.15% (2.39%-9.15% APR).

Key facts

Pros

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

Cons

• No co-signer release available.

• 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

Key facts

Pros

• No late fees.

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

Cons

• No formal deferment/forbearance options.

• No co-signer release.

Qualifications

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

• Loan amounts: $10,000 minimum.

• Must have a degree: No.

Available Term Lengths

7, 10 or 15 years.

Key facts

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 Lengths

5, 10 or 15 years.