We assign a star rating of 0 to 5 to all the private refinancing lenders we work with. That star rating is based on how well the lender meets the following criteria:

Interest Rates

We look at whether the lender offers variable, fixed, or both types of interest rates. Having a choice is important here. Borrowers should be able to choose the type of interest rate that best fits their needs.

Options for Loan Terms

Everyone refinances with different goals in mind. We believe that borrowers need options whether they’re looking for a 10-year term with smaller monthly payments or a 5-year term to reduce interest paid over the life of the loan. The more options, the better.

Min & Max Lending Amount

Loans come in all sizes. Borrowers need to have options whether they’re refinancing $10,000 or $150,000. We evaluate lenders based on their minimum and maximum lending amounts, giving preference to those with the biggest ranges.

Unemployment Protection

If unemployment strikes, borrowers may need relief from monthly payments. Unemployment protection like deferment or forbearance offers that relief. We look at what options the lender offers and for how long.

Types of Degree Levels Accepted

All the private lenders we work with refinance loans for master’s and bachelor’s students. But, what about associate degree holders? We prefer companies that will also refinance money borrowed to pay for a two-year degree.

Origination Fees

Borrowers pay enough in interest. They shouldn’t have to pay anything else to refinance their loans. That’s why we look for $0 loan origination fees.

Prepayment Penalties

Borrowers shouldn’t be charged for paying off their debt faster than scheduled. Companies with $0 prepayment penalties make that possible. That way, borrowers can pay off their debt as fast as they want without any pesky fees.

Time to Fund

The faster your loan is funded, the sooner you can say goodbye to your old lender(s). We give preference to lenders that pay off your old loans quickly so that you can enjoy the perks of refinancing sooner.

Automatic Payment Rate Deduction

If you set up automatic payments, will the loan company reduce the interest rate by 0.25%? We believe they should. Setting up automatic payments lowers your risk of late or missed payments, and you should be rewarded for that.

Co-Signer Release

Co-signer release is crucial for many borrowers, especially recent graduates. It lets you remove a cosigner from your loan after a set number of months or on-time payments. We look at whether it’s offered and how long until you can remove the cosigner. This policy makes it easier for you to ask a family member to cosign a low-interest loan since they won’t be on the hook for long.

Online Portal for Viewing Loan Information

Your loan information shouldn’t be hard to find. We value companies that offer easy-to-navigate online portals. To stay on top of your loan, you need a place to see your balance and payment dates, to schedule automatic payments, and to download statements.

Approval Rates

Internally we track how many users apply for a loan with one of our partners, and how many loans are funded.  This gives us a baseline number of approval rates.  The less declined applications, the better the rating.

Individual Considerations

Lenders sometimes have things that make them unique vs other lenders.  For example, one lender might allow you to choose any term you want to set your monthly payment, and another might accept applications without a co-signer.  We look at these individual features for each lender and consider them when providing a rating.

We assign a star rating of 0 to 5 to all the private refinancing lenders we work with. That star rating is based on how well the lender meets the following criteria:

Interest Rates

We look at whether the lender offers variable, fixed, or both types of interest rates. Having a choice is important here. Borrowers should be able to choose the type of interest rate that best fits their needs.

Options for Loan Terms

Everyone refinances with different goals in mind. We believe that borrowers need options whether they’re looking for a 10-year term with smaller monthly payments or a 5-year term to reduce interest paid over the life of the loan. The more options, the better.

Min & Max Lending Amount

Loans come in all sizes. Borrowers need to have options whether they’re refinancing $10,000 or $150,000. We evaluate lenders based on their minimum and maximum lending amounts, giving preference to those with the biggest ranges.

Unemployment Protection

If unemployment strikes, borrowers may need relief from monthly payments. Unemployment protection like deferment or forbearance offers that relief. We look at what options the lender offers and for how long.

Types of Degree Levels Accepted

All the private lenders we work with refinance loans for master’s and bachelor’s students. But, what about associate degree holders? We prefer companies that will also refinance money borrowed to pay for a two-year degree.

Origination Fees

Borrowers pay enough in interest. They shouldn’t have to pay anything else to refinance their loans. That’s why we look for $0 loan origination fees.

Prepayment Penalties

Borrowers shouldn’t be charged for paying off their debt faster than scheduled. Companies with $0 prepayment penalties make that possible. That way, borrowers can pay off their debt as fast as they want without any pesky fees.

Time to Fund

The faster your loan is funded, the sooner you can say goodbye to your old lender(s). We give preference to lenders that pay off your old loans quickly so that you can enjoy the perks of refinancing sooner.

Automatic Payment Rate Deduction

If you set up automatic payments, will the loan company reduce the interest rate by 0.25%? We believe they should. Setting up automatic payments lowers your risk of late or missed payments, and you should be rewarded for that.

Co-Signer Release

Co-signer release is crucial for many borrowers, especially recent graduates. It lets you remove a cosigner from your loan after a set number of months or on-time payments. We look at whether it’s offered and how long until you can remove the cosigner. This policy makes it easier for you to ask a family member to cosign a low-interest loan since they won’t be on the hook for long.

Online Portal for Viewing Loan Information

Your loan information shouldn’t be hard to find. We value companies that offer easy-to-navigate online portals. To stay on top of your loan, you need a place to see your balance and payment dates, to schedule automatic payments, and to download statements.

Approval Rates

Internally we track how many users apply for a loan with one of our partners, and how many loans are funded.  This gives us a baseline number of approval rates.  The less declined applications, the better the rating.

Individual Considerations

Lenders sometimes have things that make them unique vs other lenders.  For example, one lender might allow you to choose any term you want to set your monthly payment, and another might accept applications without a co-signer.  We look at these individual features for each lender and consider them when providing a rating.

We assign a star rating of 0 to 5 to all the private refinancing lenders we work with. That star rating is based on how well the lender meets the following criteria:

Interest Rates

We look at whether the lender offers variable, fixed, or both types of interest rates. Having a choice is important here. Borrowers should be able to choose the type of interest rate that best fits their needs.

Options for Loan Terms

Everyone refinances with different goals in mind. We believe that borrowers need options whether they’re looking for a 10-year term with smaller monthly payments or a 5-year term to reduce interest paid over the life of the loan. The more options, the better.

Min & Max Lending Amount

Loans come in all sizes. Borrowers need to have options whether they’re refinancing $10,000 or $150,000. We evaluate lenders based on their minimum and maximum lending amounts, giving preference to those with the biggest ranges.

Unemployment Protection

If unemployment strikes, borrowers may need relief from monthly payments. Unemployment protection like deferment or forbearance offers that relief. We look at what options the lender offers and for how long.

Types of Degree Levels Accepted

All the private lenders we work with refinance loans for master’s and bachelor’s students. But, what about associate degree holders? We prefer companies that will also refinance money borrowed to pay for a two-year degree.

Origination Fees

Borrowers pay enough in interest. They shouldn’t have to pay anything else to refinance their loans. That’s why we look for $0 loan origination fees.

Prepayment Penalties

Borrowers shouldn’t be charged for paying off their debt faster than scheduled. Companies with $0 prepayment penalties make that possible. That way, borrowers can pay off their debt as fast as they want without any pesky fees.

Time to Fund

The faster your loan is funded, the sooner you can say goodbye to your old lender(s). We give preference to lenders that pay off your old loans quickly so that you can enjoy the perks of refinancing sooner.

Automatic Payment Rate Deduction

If you set up automatic payments, will the loan company reduce the interest rate by 0.25%? We believe they should. Setting up automatic payments lowers your risk of late or missed payments, and you should be rewarded for that.

Co-Signer Release

Co-signer release is crucial for many borrowers, especially recent graduates. It lets you remove a cosigner from your loan after a set number of months or on-time payments. We look at whether it’s offered and how long until you can remove the cosigner. This policy makes it easier for you to ask a family member to cosign a low-interest loan since they won’t be on the hook for long.

Online Portal for Viewing Loan Information

Your loan information shouldn’t be hard to find. We value companies that offer easy-to-navigate online portals. To stay on top of your loan, you need a place to see your balance and payment dates, to schedule automatic payments, and to download statements.

Approval Rates

Internally we track how many users apply for a loan with one of our partners, and how many loans are funded.  This gives us a baseline number of approval rates.  The less declined applications, the better the rating.

Individual Considerations

Lenders sometimes have things that make them unique vs other lenders.  For example, one lender might allow you to choose any term you want to set your monthly payment, and another might accept applications without a co-signer.  We look at these individual features for each lender and consider them when providing a rating.

We assign a star rating of 0 to 5 to all the private refinancing lenders we work with. That star rating is based on how well the lender meets the following criteria:

Interest Rates

We look at whether the lender offers variable, fixed, or both types of interest rates. Having a choice is important here. Borrowers should be able to choose the type of interest rate that best fits their needs.

Options for Loan Terms

Everyone refinances with different goals in mind. We believe that borrowers need options whether they’re looking for a 10-year term with smaller monthly payments or a 5-year term to reduce interest paid over the life of the loan. The more options, the better.

Min & Max Lending Amount

Loans come in all sizes. Borrowers need to have options whether they’re refinancing $10,000 or $150,000. We evaluate lenders based on their minimum and maximum lending amounts, giving preference to those with the biggest ranges.

Unemployment Protection

If unemployment strikes, borrowers may need relief from monthly payments. Unemployment protection like deferment or forbearance offers that relief. We look at what options the lender offers and for how long.

Types of Degree Levels Accepted

All the private lenders we work with refinance loans for master’s and bachelor’s students. But, what about associate degree holders? We prefer companies that will also refinance money borrowed to pay for a two-year degree.

Origination Fees

Borrowers pay enough in interest. They shouldn’t have to pay anything else to refinance their loans. That’s why we look for $0 loan origination fees.

Prepayment Penalties

Borrowers shouldn’t be charged for paying off their debt faster than scheduled. Companies with $0 prepayment penalties make that possible. That way, borrowers can pay off their debt as fast as they want without any pesky fees.

Time to Fund

The faster your loan is funded, the sooner you can say goodbye to your old lender(s). We give preference to lenders that pay off your old loans quickly so that you can enjoy the perks of refinancing sooner.

Automatic Payment Rate Deduction

If you set up automatic payments, will the loan company reduce the interest rate by 0.25%? We believe they should. Setting up automatic payments lowers your risk of late or missed payments, and you should be rewarded for that.

Co-Signer Release

Co-signer release is crucial for many borrowers, especially recent graduates. It lets you remove a cosigner from your loan after a set number of months or on-time payments. We look at whether it’s offered and how long until you can remove the cosigner. This policy makes it easier for you to ask a family member to cosign a low-interest loan since they won’t be on the hook for long.

Online Portal for Viewing Loan Information

Your loan information shouldn’t be hard to find. We value companies that offer easy-to-navigate online portals. To stay on top of your loan, you need a place to see your balance and payment dates, to schedule automatic payments, and to download statements.

Approval Rates

Internally we track how many users apply for a loan with one of our partners, and how many loans are funded.  This gives us a baseline number of approval rates.  The less declined applications, the better the rating.

Individual Considerations

Lenders sometimes have things that make them unique vs other lenders.  For example, one lender might allow you to choose any term you want to set your monthly payment, and another might accept applications without a co-signer.  We look at these individual features for each lender and consider them when providing a rating.

We assign a star rating of 0 to 5 to all the private refinancing lenders we work with. That star rating is based on how well the lender meets the following criteria:

Interest Rates

We look at whether the lender offers variable, fixed, or both types of interest rates. Having a choice is important here. Borrowers should be able to choose the type of interest rate that best fits their needs.

Options for Loan Terms

Everyone refinances with different goals in mind. We believe that borrowers need options whether they’re looking for a 10-year term with smaller monthly payments or a 5-year term to reduce interest paid over the life of the loan. The more options, the better.

Min & Max Lending Amount

Loans come in all sizes. Borrowers need to have options whether they’re refinancing $10,000 or $150,000. We evaluate lenders based on their minimum and maximum lending amounts, giving preference to those with the biggest ranges.

Unemployment Protection

If unemployment strikes, borrowers may need relief from monthly payments. Unemployment protection like deferment or forbearance offers that relief. We look at what options the lender offers and for how long.

Types of Degree Levels Accepted

All the private lenders we work with refinance loans for master’s and bachelor’s students. But, what about associate degree holders? We prefer companies that will also refinance money borrowed to pay for a two-year degree.

Origination Fees

Borrowers pay enough in interest. They shouldn’t have to pay anything else to refinance their loans. That’s why we look for $0 loan origination fees.

Prepayment Penalties

Borrowers shouldn’t be charged for paying off their debt faster than scheduled. Companies with $0 prepayment penalties make that possible. That way, borrowers can pay off their debt as fast as they want without any pesky fees.

Time to Fund

The faster your loan is funded, the sooner you can say goodbye to your old lender(s). We give preference to lenders that pay off your old loans quickly so that you can enjoy the perks of refinancing sooner.

Automatic Payment Rate Deduction

If you set up automatic payments, will the loan company reduce the interest rate by 0.25%? We believe they should. Setting up automatic payments lowers your risk of late or missed payments, and you should be rewarded for that.

Co-Signer Release

Co-signer release is crucial for many borrowers, especially recent graduates. It lets you remove a cosigner from your loan after a set number of months or on-time payments. We look at whether it’s offered and how long until you can remove the cosigner. This policy makes it easier for you to ask a family member to cosign a low-interest loan since they won’t be on the hook for long.

Online Portal for Viewing Loan Information

Your loan information shouldn’t be hard to find. We value companies that offer easy-to-navigate online portals. To stay on top of your loan, you need a place to see your balance and payment dates, to schedule automatic payments, and to download statements.

Approval Rates

Internally we track how many users apply for a loan with one of our partners, and how many loans are funded.  This gives us a baseline number of approval rates.  The less declined applications, the better the rating.

Individual Considerations

Lenders sometimes have things that make them unique vs other lenders.  For example, one lender might allow you to choose any term you want to set your monthly payment, and another might accept applications without a co-signer.  We look at these individual features for each lender and consider them when providing a rating.