Don’t sacrifice your financial future to pay for an education. Borrow smart to save money.
SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Fixed Rate (with Autopay)
Refinance your student loans and pay them off sooner at fixed rates through this highly rated lender.
- Recommended Credit Range: Good to excellent
- Minimum Loan Amount: $5,000
- Maximum Loan Amount: full balance of your qualified education loans
- Loan Term: 5 to 20 years
- Turnaround Time:
- Total Costs: Depends on your credit score.
Compare lenders for student loans and refinancing options
I’m paying for school. What are my student loan options?
There are two types of student loans you can take out to pay for higher education: private and public.
- Public loans are loans funded by the federal government to cover education-related costs. Students usually turn to these first because they tend to have lower interest rates. After all your school’s tuition and expenses are paid for, any remaining money typically comes to you. They offer the added benefit of a grace period before you’re required to begin repayment. However, there are limits to how much you can borrow.
- Private student loans are generally used to cover education expenses after you’ve maxed out public loans. You can get a private student loan from a bank, a state agency, a school or even a credit union. Private student loans also can pay postgraduate expenses that federal loans won’t such as those that come with studying for the bar or residency.
Student loans can be tax deductible + more loan tax tips
Could a personal loan help me cover extra costs at school?
If you’re having a hard time qualifying for a federal loan or your federal loan has run out, you may want to consider taking out a personal loan. Personal loan amounts can range from $1,000 to $100,000 based on your eligibility and creditworthiness. A private student loan may not cover all of the expenses you have while in school, because they’re limited to education costs (with the possible exception of housing). By getting a personal loan, you would be able to use the funds as you need.
Pros and cons of personal loans for education expenses
- Loans of up to $100,000 are available for qualified applicants.
- Interest rates are comparable to private student loans.
- You can use the funds for any legitimate purpose.
- No grace period before payments start.
- A better credit history may be required.
Compare personal loan options
How do I compare my loan options as a student?
| Federal student loan | Private student loan | Personal loan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Education-related expenses | Education costs, includes postgraduate expenses | Any legitimate costs |
| Funds disbursement | Sent to the school; any remaining funds are sent to you later | Sent to the school; any remaining funds are sent to you later | Sent directly to you |
| Interest rates | 3.76% to 6.31% fixed APR, depending on loan and borrower type | Varies but can reach over 12%, depending on the lender | Varies but can go up to 36%, depending on the lender |
Just some of the top student loan providers we’ve reviewed
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Consolidating multiple loans
In this section, we’ll talk about federal loans. If you’ve only got private student loans, you can skip down to refinancing (unless you’d like to learn a bit more). Not everyone is lucky enough to get out of school with just one loan, much less no loans. If you’ve got multiple federal loans you’re trying to pay off from various agencies, you may have a hard time keeping track of all of them. Consolidation is the process of taking one or more of your federal loans and combining them into one. You can apply for a direct consolidation loan through the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website. The application requires you to sign in with an FSA user name or email address.
Pros and cons of student loan consolidation
- Repayment plans are available, including income-based plans.
- You have a 60-day window before your first repayment due date is set.
- You can be approved for lower monthly payments and potentially extend your repayment term.
- An extended loan term could result in paying more interest over time, increasing the overall cost of your loan.
- Benefits from your initial funding — such as discounts or rebates — may be cancelled.
Refinancing loans for a lower interest rate
Whether nearing the end of school or already out, you may be looking for a way to lower the overall cost of your debt. Refinancing could be just what you need if you have private student loans. Refinancing involves replacing your open debts with a different loan, hopefully one with better terms. To refinance, you apply through a private lender that offers student loan refinancing services. When considering a loan, compare the interest rate, loan term, risk and overall monthly payments. Done right, you could potentially get all of your loans under one payment with terms that better suit your needs.
Pros and cons of student loan refinancing
- Potentially lower your monthly payments.
- Reduce the number of debts you have to manage.
- Possibly benefit from a reduced interest rate.
- A higher credit score may be necessary.
- You won’t be eligible for federal repayment or forgiveness programs.
- You may pay fees associated with refinancing.
Bottom line
No matter where you are in your schooling, there’s a loan to fit your needs. Federal loans are good for those who qualify. If you don’t qualify or you’ve run out, personal loans and private student loans may be valid options.
Your schooling is in your hands. Before making any big financial decisions, consider your specific personal and financial situation. Go over all of your options, compare loans and seek advice or research anything that’s not perfectly clear.
Frequently asked questions about student loans
What are typical federal loan terms and grace periods?
What are the types of federal loans?
- Direct subsidized loans. Designed for undergraduate students and requires a demonstration of financial need.
- Direct unsubsidized loans. Designed for undergraduate, graduate and professional students and does not require a demonstration of financial need.
- Direct PLUS loans. Designed for graduate and professional students, or parents of dependent undergraduate students. These loans pay for expenses not covered by other financial aid.
- Direct consolidation loans. Used to combine all eligible federal student loans.
- Federal Perkins Loan Program. Designed for undergraduate and graduate students with significant financial need. Funding is loaned by the school itself.
What’s the maximum amount of funding I can receive from a federal loan?
- Direct subsidized loans. Annual limit is $5,500, depending on grade level and dependency status.
- Direct unsubsidized loans. Annual limit is $20,500, depending on grade level and dependency status.
- Direct PLUS loans. Maximum annual amount is your tuition and other school fees, minus any other aid received.
- Federal Perkins Loan Program. Annual limits are $5,000 for undergraduate students and $8,000 for professional degree and graduate students.
