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Lender | Learn More | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Max. Loan Amount | Min. Credit Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apply Now | 5.19% APR (with autopay) to 10.24% APR (without autopay) | 5.28% APR to 10.24% APR (without autopay) | No Maximum | 640 | ||
Laurel Road 4.3 | Apply Now | 5.44 to 9.75% with autopay* | 5.49% to 9.95% with autopay | No maximum | 660 | |
Earnest 4.8 | Apply Now | 5.09% to 9.74% with autopay | 5.89% to 9.74% with autopay | $500,000 | 650 | |
Credible 5.0 | Apply Now | 5.48% to 10.98% with autopay | 5.28% to 12.43% with autopay | |||
Citizens 4.6 | Apply Now | 6.49% to 10.99% with auto and loyalty discount* | 7.04% to 12.43% with auto and loyalty discount* | Up to $750,000 | Not disclosed | |
SoFi 4.5 | Apply Now | 5.24% to 9.99% with autopay | 6.24% to 9.99% with autopay | No Maximum | Not disclosed | |
Apply Now | 5.48% to 8.69% | 5.28% to 8.99% | No Maximum | 680 | ||
PNC 4.2 | Read Review | 6.99% to 13.94% with autopay* | 7.89% to 14.99% with autopay* | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | |
Nelnet Bank 4.4 | Apply Now | 7.12% with autopay to 11.19% | 7.60% with autopay to 14.50% | $500,000 | Not disclosed | |
College Ave 4.7 | Read Review | 6.99% to 13.99% with autopay | 6.99% to 13.99% with autopay | $300,000 | Mid 600s |
Splash Financial
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- 640
- Refinance Variable APR
- 5.28% APR to 10.24% A...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 5.19% APR (with autop...Show More
Why We Picked This
PenFed Credit Union has a PenFed Student Loan Marketplace and refers its members to Sparrow for undergraduate and graduate student loans. If a member wants to refinance their student loans, PenFed refers them to CampusDoor. Founded in 1935, PenFed – which is short for Pentagon Federal Credit Union – has over 2.8 million members and serves customers in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and Okinawa, Japan.
Pros
Refinancing is available for a range of student loans.
No application fees or origination fees.
Cons
To qualify, borrowers must have a four-year degree from an accredited institution or an associate degree in a specific field of study.
Credit union membership might be required from certain lenders.
Splash lenders don't allow co-signers.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Refinance
Alternative to Splash Financial
Sparrow is a good option if you're looking for a new student loan. While Splash draws on a network of lenders for student loan refinancing, Sparrow is a marketplace for both new loans and refinancing.
See full profile »
Laurel Road
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- 660
- Refinance Variable APR
- 5.49% to 9.95% with a...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 5.44 to 9.75% with au...Show More
Why We Picked This
Laurel Road refinances student loans for working professionals with undergraduate or graduate degrees from Title IV-accredited institutions and for professionals with associate degrees in certain fields. The Connecticut-based company also offers refinancing for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent green cards and for parents who took on debt to pay for a child's education.
Pros
Laurel Road student loans have no application or origination fees.
Borrowers can refinance a Parent PLUS or private parent loan.
Undergraduate and graduate students with a signed letter of employment or contract can refinance as early as the final semester of school.
Cons
Not all programs qualify at all schools.
You'll get just a one-month grace period after graduation before payments are due.
Loan Types
Refinance
Alternative to Laurel Road
Ascent Funding student loans may be a good alternative if you want a longer grace period. On most loans, Ascent offers a nine-month grace period before payments are due after graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment. For dental and medical school loans through Ascent, the maximum grace period increases to 12 months and 36 months, respectively.
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Earnest
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- 650
- Refinance Variable APR
- 5.89% to 9.74% with a...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 5.09% to 9.74% with a...Show More
Why We Picked This
Earnest is an online lender offering private student loans to college and graduate students, as well as student loan refinancing. The company was founded in 2013. Borrowers can choose their own loan terms to fund up to the full cost of their education.
Pros
There are no origination, application or late fees.
You can choose from a range of monthly payment and loan term options.
Earnest offers a rate match feature for in-school loans, though not for student loan refinancing.
Cons
Borrowers or co-signers must have at least a 650 FICO credit score.
Earnest student loans and student loan refinancing are not available in Nevada.
Undergraduate borrowers must be enrolled at least half time.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Parent, International, Refinance
Alternative to Earnest
If you plan to complete an internship as part of your studies or are pursuing a nursing career in Rhode Island, consider a loan through RISLA. Borrowers who complete an eligible internship can earn $2,000 of forgiveness on nonfederal RISLA student loans, and working nurses in Rhode Island may qualify for zero interest on their loans for up to four years.
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Credible
- Refinance Variable APR
- 5.28% to 12.43% with ...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 5.48% to 10.98% with ...Show More
Why We Picked This
Credible is a loan comparison marketplace that allows would-be borrowers to shop around for student loans and student loan refinancing that meet their needs. The company was founded in 2012 in San Francisco.
Pros
You can compare products and get prequalified without hurting your credit score.
Credible doesn't sell your information to lenders.
Cons
You will only see prequalified offers from lenders if you are eligible.
Credible doesn't partner with all major student loan companies, so you may need to do additional research to understand all your options.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Parent, Refinance
Alternative to Credible
If you're looking to refinance student loans, Splash may be worth checking out. Like Credible, Splash is a loan marketplace that allows you to shop multiple lenders. But Splash is focused specifically on student loan refinancing.
See full profile »
Citizens
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- Not disclosed
- Refinance Variable APR
- 7.04% to 12.43% with ...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 6.49% to 10.99% with ...Show More
Why We Picked This
Citizens Bank was founded in 1828 in Rhode Island. In addition to student loans, it offers a range of banking products, including mortgages, credit cards, checking accounts and investing services. Branches are concentrated in the New England, mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
Pros
Citizens offers multiyear approval loans, which cover each year of college with one application and hard inquiry and a soft inquiry when you need additional funds.
Borrowers can save 0.25 of a percentage point for having another Citizens account and another 0.25 of a percentage point for setting up auto pay.
International students can apply if they have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with good credit.
Cons
If you're attending a two-year institution, including most community colleges, or a for-profit school, you are not eligible.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Parent, International, Refinance
Alternative to Citizens
MPower Financing is a good alternative for those pursuing one- or two-year education programs, or people who only have a couple of years left in their degree program. Keep in mind that MPower loans may not be available for your school, and may charge higher interest rates.
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SoFi
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- Not disclosed
- Refinance Variable APR
- 6.24% to 9.99% with a...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 5.24% to 9.99% with a...Show More
Why We Picked This
SoFi is an online lender founded by Stanford business school students in 2011. SoFi began offering student loan refinancing in May 2012, and the San Francisco-based company added private student loans in 2019. Applicants can choose from undergraduate, graduate, law or MBA, health profession or parent loans.
Pros
SoFi charges no fees. That includes application fees, origination fees, late fees and insufficient funds fees.
Borrowers have four repayment options to choose from and can even apply for a co-signer release. Plus, borrowers hit by financial hardship can access programs and benefits.
The lender uses a soft credit pull – which will not hurt your credit score – to check whether you and your co-signer prequalify for a private student loan.
Cons
The lender does not offer co-signer release for refinanced student loans.
Funding may be slow. The entire application process, including school certification of the loan, typically takes four to six weeks. Borrowers who need funds faster should contact SoFi at 855-456-7634.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Parent, International, Refinance
Alternative to SoFi
PenFed may be a good alternative if you want to be able to release a co-signer on your refinance loan. SoFi does not allow co-signer release on refinance loans, while PenFed will consider it after just 12 consecutive on-time payments.
See full profile »
Education Loan Finance
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- 680
- Refinance Variable APR
- 5.28% to 8.99%
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 5.48% to 8.69%
Why We Picked This
Education Loan Finance, also known as ELFI, is a student loan program offered by Tennessee-based SouthEast Bank since 2015. The company provides private student loans and refinancing options for private and federal student loans.
Pros
All types of student loans are eligible for refinancing.
Loans are available in all U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
There are no origination or application fees.
Cons
Borrowers must have at least a 680 FICO credit score.
Borrowers must refinance at least $10,000.
Co-signer release is not available.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Parent, Refinance
Alternative to Education Loan Finance
If you don't meet Education Loan Refinance's minimum 680 FICO score requirement, MPower Financing might be a good alternative. MPower does not have a minimum credit score requirement, but you may pay higher interest than you would with other lenders.
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PNC
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- Not disclosed
- Refinance Variable APR
- 7.89% to 14.99% with ...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 6.99% to 13.94% with ...Show More
Why We Picked This
PNC offers student loans in all 50 states for students at all stages of postsecondary education, including professional training loans and refinancing. The bank is also engaged in a number of community efforts, including financial literacy programs and PNC Grow Up Great, which supports early childhood education. For eligible students, PNC offers opportunities to win $2,000 scholarships toward education expenses.
Pros
Range of loans for undergraduate, graduate and professional education.
Loans available in all 50 states.
0.50 percentage point interest rate discount for automatic payment.
Cons
Does not lend to international students.
Does not disclose credit score requirements.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Refinance
Alternative to PNC
If you're an international student, you might consider MPower Financing. PNC does not offer loans to international students but MPower specializes in this area and also considers loans for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients.
See full profile »
Nelnet Bank
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- Not disclosed
- Refinance Variable APR
- 7.60% with autopay to...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 7.12% with autopay to...Show More
Why We Picked This
Nelnet Bank, founded in 2020 by Nelnet – one of the largest servicers of federal student loans – offers private student loans and refinance options. Private student loans feature co-signer release (1), plus a choice of several repayment plans and auto debit savings (2). Nelnet Bank can refinance a Parent PLUS Loan into a student's own name.
Pros
No origination or application fees.
0.25 percentage point interest rate discount for enrolling in auto debit (auto debit discount reflected in rates above) (2).
Parent PLUS loan can be transfered from parent to student.
Cons
Applicants with less-than-perfect credit might not qualify.
Other lenders offer a faster co-signer release.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, International, Refinance
Alternative to Nelnet Bank
PenFed student loans may be a good alternative if you want to be able to release a co-signer more quickly. While Nelnet loans may be eligible for co-signer release after 24 months, PenFed will consider a release after just 12 consecutive months of on-time payments.
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College Ave
- Minimum FICO Credit Score
- Mid 600s
- Refinance Variable APR
- 6.99% to 13.99% with...Show More
- Refinance Fixed APR
- 6.99% to 13.99% with ...Show More
Why We Picked This
Founded in 2014 and based in Wilmington, Delaware, College Ave offers undergraduate, graduate and parent loans for students enrolled at accredited schools. College Ave’s advantage is speed, with applications that take a few minutes to complete and instant decisions.
Pros
Get a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction when auto pay is activated.
Rapid application and approval process.
Career loan programs for for-profit schools.
College Ave loans have no application or origination fees.
Cons
Parent loans require at least interest-only payments while the student is in school.
Co-signers cannot be released until after more than halfway through the loan term.
Loan Types
Undergraduate, Graduate, Parent, International, Refinance
Alternative to College Ave
SoFi may be a good alternative if you want a student loan with a faster co-signer release. College Ave allows co-signers to be released as early as halfway through the life of the loan, while SoFi borrowers can apply to remove the co-signer from their student loan after making full payments for just 24 months. However, SoFi does not offer co-signer release on refinanced loans.
See full profile »