Splash Financial Review: Student Loan Refinancing
Splash Financial is a marketplace that offers refinance loans from PenFed, Nelnet Bank and Laurel Road.
Our Take
4.5
The bottom line: Splash Financial is an online marketplace founded in 2013 that offers student loan refinance loans from multiple partner lenders. It's best for borrowers who want quotes from more than one lender.
Full Review

on Splash Financial's website
on Splash Financial's website
Fixed APR
2.63 - 5.49%
Min. Credit Score
650
Pros & Cons
Pros
You are assigned a dedicated account representative.
You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
Cons
Loan features vary by lender.
Forbearance and death discharge may not be available.
You may need to become a member of a credit union to qualify.
Compare to Other Lenders
Check Rate | Check Rate | Check Rate |
Fixed APR2.63 - 5.49% | Fixed APR2.99 - 5.15% | Fixed APR2.80 - 6.00% |
Variable APRN/A | Variable APR2.17 - 4.47% | Variable APR1.89 - 5.90% |
Min. Credit Score650 | Min. Credit Score670 | Min. Credit Score700 |
Full Review
Splash Financial offers student loan refinance loans originated by Nelnet Bank, Laurel Road and Pentagon Federal Credit Union, known as PenFed. You can receive offers from these lenders by completing a single application on the Splash Financial website. This is similar to Credible and other sites with online loan marketplaces, including NerdWallet.
Splash Financial loan details vary by partner lender and application channel. This review outlines features that are available to Splash customers who prequalify via NerdWallet. If you want a specific benefit from one of Splash's partners — like PenFed combining your loans with your spouse's — contact the lender or Splash directly.
Splash Financial student loan refinancing at a glance
Complete one application to get offers from multiple refinance lenders.
Loans originated by Nelnet Bank, Laurel Road and PenFed.
Loan features and policies vary by lender and application channel.
How Splash Financial could improve
Splash Financial could improve by:
Offering consistent policies on forbearance, co-signing loans and other features that all partner lenders must adhere to.
Providing details borrowers need to choose among lender offers earlier in the application process.
Offering deferment to all borrowers who return to school.
Splash Financial student loan refinancing details
Splash Financial was founded in 2013 and offers loans from multiple lenders. The details below include all features you could receive by refinancing with Splash via NerdWallet. Check our reviews of Nelnet Bank, Laurel Road and PenFed to determine if a specific lender offers the features you want.
Before refinancing with Splash Financial
You can apply for a Splash Financial 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 borrowers who are struggling to make payments.
If you aren’t eligible to refinance with Splash Financial
If Splash Financial 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 LOANS RATINGS METHODOLOGY
NerdWallet believes the best student loan is one you can repay at the lowest interest rate you can get. That’s why NerdWallet’s student loan ratings reward lenders that offer a variety of loan terms, limit their fees and penalties, and extend borrowers multiple options to avoid default. Points are also awarded for soft credit checks, underwriting transparency and other consumer-friendly features. Use these ratings as a guide, but we encourage you to shop around for the lowest interest rate you can qualify for. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for its reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
on Splash Financial's website
Find the Right Student Loan
Frequently asked questions
Splash Financial was founded in 2013. It offers refinanced student loans originated from three partner lenders: U-Fi From Nelnet, Laurel Road and Pentagon Federal Credit Union, or PenFed.
Splash Financial is an online marketplace. When you complete an application on its website, your information is shared with multiple lenders to see which would refinance your student loans and at what terms.
Splash Financial is not a part of Laurel Road, but you can refinance student loans with Laurel Road (as well as U-Fi From Nelnet and PenFed) by applying via Splash. Splash partners with multiple lenders.