Best Student Loan Refinance Companies of May 2021
- Best Overall: RISLA.
- Best Refinancing Marketplace: Credible.
- Best Rates: Splash Financial.
- Best Benefits: SoFi.
- Best for No Fees: Discover Student Loans.
- Best Repayment Options: CommonBond.
- Best for Student Who Didn’t Graduate: Citizens Bank.
- Best for Spousal Loans: PenFed Credit Union.
Secondly, is it smart to refinance student loans right now?
Federal student loan borrowers: Do not refinance right now
If you can afford it, making payments today while rates are at 0% helps you pay down your principal balance faster. … Such protections include forbearance and deferment options, income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.
| Lender | Best For | Fixed APR* |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Bank | Available discounts | 2.89% to 9.10% |
| LendKey | Long repayment terms | 2.95% to 7.63% |
| College Ave | No fees | 3.34% to 5.69% |
| Splash Financial | Low rates | 2.54% to 6.25% (without autopay) |
Beside this, what are current student loan refinance rates?
Current student loan refinance rates
| Terms | Fixed APR range | Variable APR range |
|---|---|---|
| 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years | 2.99% – 6.64% | 2.25% – 6.64% |
| 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years | 2.89% – 9.1% | 2.19% – 8.85% |
| 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years | 2.95% – 7.63% | 1.9% – 5.25% |
| 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years | 2.98% – 5.79% | 1.99% – 5.61% |
Does Refinancing student loans hurt your credit?
Refinancing your student loans doesn’t typically cause a great deal of damage to your credit. … This won’t affect your credit at all, because it involves only a soft credit pull. Only if you find an offer you like and move forward with a full application will your chosen lender perform a hard credit check.
Why you shouldn’t refinance student loans?
Since you can currently only refinance with a private lender, you‘ll no longer hold federal student loans. As a result, you‘ll lose access to helpful federal programs, such as income-driven repayment. … Most private lenders set a repayment cap at 15 to 20 years and typically don’t offer income-based protections.
When should you not refinance your student loans?
There is no reason to refinance your loans unless you end up paying less in interest. Use the student loan refinancing calculator below to find out how much you could save. You can qualify. You generally need a credit score at least in the high 600s and enough income to consistently pay your debts and other expenses.
What credit score do you need to refinance student loans?
650 to 680
Will student loan interest rates go down in 2020?
The student loan interest rate for undergraduates taking out new federal student loans has dropped to just 2.75% for the 2020-2021 year, down from 4.53% last year. … The latest rates apply to new federal student loans borrowed between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
Why are interest rates on student loans so high?
If you don’t pay your mortgage or auto loan, the lender can seize your house or car. But a lender can’t seize a college degree! In other words, student loan interest rates are typically higher than secured loans‘ rates because the lender’s risk is higher.
What is the current student loan interest rate?
4.53%
Is there a downside to refinancing student loans?
The biggest drawback of refinancing your student loans is giving up the protections that you otherwise receive with federal loans, such as income-driven repayment plans.
Can you negotiate interest rates on student loans?
Interest rates on your federal student loans are set by Congress each year — which is bad news for borrowers looking to get a deal on their interest rate. “The interest rates on federal education loans are set by law and cannot be negotiated,” said financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz of SavingforCollege.com.
What is the lowest student loan rate available?
Best student loan interest rates in April 2021
| Lender | Current APR Range | Min. Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Federal student loans | 2.75%–5.3% | None |
| Earnest | Starting at 1.05% variable and 3.49% fixed (with autopay) | $1,000 |
| Ascent | 5.84%–12.37% variable, 7.00%–14.00% fixed (with autopay) | $1,000 |