First Tech Federal Credit Union Student Loan Refinancing Review
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Our Take
3.0
The bottom line:
First Tech Federal Credit Union primarily serves the technology industry. Its refinancing loan is an an option for borrowers who work in that industry or those who want to make lower monthly payments starting out.
Full Review

Pros & Cons
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.
No death or disability discharge.
Students cannot refinance a parent PLUS loan in their name.
Full Review
First Tech Federal Credit Union primarily serves the technology industry — people who work at places like Amazon, Intel and Microsoft.
But with repayment options that allow lower monthly payments starting out, its student loan refinancing product could be a fit for other professionals whose incomes are expected to grow over time.
You must be — or become — a member of First Tech to be eligible for its student loan refinance product. You qualify for membership if you work for one of the hundreds of technology and telecom companies First Tech partners with. There are also other relatively easy ways to qualify for membership, such as joining the Financial Fitness Association.
First Tech at a glance
Three repayment options: Fixed, interest-only or balloon.
Student loan specialists to walk you through the process.
No option to temporarily pause payments through forbearance.
How First Tech could improve
First Tech could improve by:
Offering forbearance to let borrowers temporarily pause payments during financial hardship.
Having a co-signer release.
Allowing borrowers to refinance their parents' PLUS loans.
How much can refinancing save?
First Tech student loan refinancing details
Before refinancing with First Tech
You can apply for a First Tech refinanced student loan on its website. Before deciding on a student loan refinance lender, compare multiple student loan refinance options to make sure you’re getting the best rate you qualify for. In addition to interest rates, compare lenders’ repayment options and the flexibility they offer for borrowers who are struggling to make payments.
If you aren’t eligible to refinance with First Tech
If First Tech denies your refinance application, the lender will let you know why. Depending on the reason, you may want to consider other lenders or need a co-signer.
NerdWallet recommends prequalifying with multiple refinance lenders before you apply. This will let you know which lenders you may be eligible with, without affecting your credit.
STUDENT LOAN REFINANCE RATINGS METHODOLOGY
Our survey of more than 29 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.
Find the Right Student Loan
Frequently asked questions
First Tech Federal Credit Union is a credit union that serves employees and family members of tech companies in California, Oregon and Washington. It offers student loan refinancing.
No. First Tech does not offer deferment or forbearance options.
Student loan refinancing customers must have a minimum credit score of 660 and refinance a minimum of $5,000 in debt.