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Refinancing a personal loan can be a worthwhile process in some situations. It holds the potential to lower your monthly payments and/or the interest paid over the life of the loan.

Personal loans can be used for many purposes, which is part of their appeal. Consolidating credit card debt is a common use of personal loans. And it makes sense, given that personal loans typically have lower interest rates than credit cards (which currently average 24.35%).

Even if you’ve already taken out a personal loan, it can be wise to look at your refinance options for getting terms that better suit your needs.

Why Refinance a Personal Loan?

While there may be a variety of reasons to refinance a personal loan, it mainly comes down to two.

1.    To lower the overall interest rate and total interest paid.

2.    To lower the monthly payment.

These two might seem like the same thing, but they’re not.

When you refinance any type of loan, you are essentially replacing your old loan with a new loan that has a different rate and/or repayment term. If the new loan has a lower annual percentage rate (APR), you can save money on interest. If the APR is the same but the repayment term is longer, you can lower your monthly payments, making them easier to manage, but won’t save any money. (In fact, a longer repayment term generally means paying more in interest over the life of the loan.)

Another reason why you might consider refinancing a personal loan is to consolidate your debts (so you just have one payment) or to add or remove a cosigner.

Possible Advantages of Refinancing a Personal Loan

Here’s a look at some of the benefits of refinancing a personal loan.

Pay Less in Interest

If you are able to qualify for a personal loan with a lower APR, it may be possible to save a significant amount of money over time, provided you don’t extend your loan term. You can also save on interest by shortening your existing loan term, since this allows you to pay off the loan sooner.

Lower Your Monthly Payment

Refinancing to a lower APR and/or extending the length of the loan can lower your monthly payment. A lower monthly bill could help you get back on track, especially if you’ve been struggling to make your monthly payments.

Consolidate Multiple Debts

If you have a personal loan as well as other debts (such as credit card debt), you can use a new debt consolidation loan to combine those debts into one loan and a single monthly payment. If your new loan has a lower APR than the average of your combined debts, you may also be able to save money.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

Possible Disadvantages of Refinancing a Personal Loan

Refinancing a personal loan might not be the right move for everybody. Here are some disadvantages to consider.

You May Pay More in Interest

If you refinance a personal loan using a loan that has a longer repayment term, you could end up paying much more in interest over the life of the loan.

You May Have to Pay an Origination Fee

Many personal loan lenders charge origination fees to cover the cost of processing and closing the loan. This is a one-time fee charged at the time the loan closes and, in some cases, can be as high as 6% of the loan. Since the fee is deducted before the loan is disbursed to you, it reduces the amount of money you actually get.

You Might Get Hit With a Prepayment Penalty

Some lenders charge a fee if you pay off the loan before the agreed-upon term, which is known as a prepayment penalty. If your original lender charges you a prepayment penalty, it could cut into your potential refinancing savings.

Refinancing a Personal Loan

If you are thinking about refinancing a personal loan, here are some steps you’ll want to take.

Check Your Credit Report and Score

To benefit from personal loan refinancing, you typically need to have stronger credit than you had when you got your original personal loan. With a more favorable credit profile, you might qualify for a lower APR on the new personal loan.

You can access your credit report for free from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax®, TransUnion®, and Experian® — through Annualcreditreport.com. It’s a good idea to scan your reports for any errors and, if you find one, report it to the appropriate bureau.

You can typically access your credit score for free through your credit card company (it may be listed on your monthly statement or found by logging into your online account).

Shop Around for Loans

Every bank has different parameters for determining who they’ll offer loans to and at what rate, so it’s always worth it to shop around. This could mean looking at traditional banks, credit unions, and online-only lenders.

Many lenders will give you a free quote through a prequalification process. This typically takes only a few minutes and does not result in a hard inquiry, which means it won’t impact your credit score. Prequalifying for a personal loan refinance can help compare rates and terms from different lenders and find the best deal.

Applying for a Loan

Once you’ve decided on a lender who can help you refinance to a new loan, it’s time to formally apply for a personal loan. You’ll likely need to submit several documents, including pay stubs, recent tax returns, and a loan payoff statement from your original lender (which will show how much is still owed).

Paying Off the Old Loan

Once you have your new loan funds, you can pay off your original loan. You’ll want to contact your original lender to find out what the process is and follow their instructions. It’s also a good idea to ask your original lender for documentation showing the loan has been paid off.

Making Payments on the New Loan

Be sure to confirm your first payment due date and minimum payment amount with your new lender and make your first payment on time. You may want to enroll in autopay to ensure you never miss a payment. Some lenders even offer a discount on your rate if you sign up for autopay.

The Takeaway

You can refinance a personal loan, and doing so may allow you to get a more favorable rate and/or more affordable payments. However, you’ll want to factor in any fees (such as origination fee on the new loan and/or a prepayment penalty on the old loan) to make sure the refinance will save you money. Also keep in mind that extending the term of your loan can increase the cost of the loan over time.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

Can you refinance a personal loan?

Yes, it is possible to refinance a personal loan. Refinancing involves taking out a new loan to pay off the existing personal loan, ideally with more favorable rates and terms. However, whether you can refinance your personal loan will depend on factors such as your creditworthiness, the terms of the original loan, and the policies of the new lender.

Does refinancing a loan hurt your credit?

Refinancing a loan can have both positive and negative impacts on your credit. Initially, the process of refinancing may result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can cause a small, temporary decrease in your credit score. However, if you use the refinanced loan to pay off the existing loan and make timely payments on that loan, it can positively impact your credit over time.

Can I refinance a personal loan with another bank?

Yes, it is possible to refinance a personal loan with another bank. Many banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer loan refinancing options. This allows you to transfer your personal loan balance to a new loan with a new lender. However, eligibility criteria, terms, and interest rates will vary by lender. It’s a good idea to shop around, compare offers, and consider factors such as interest rates, fees, and repayment terms before deciding to refinance with another bank.

What are the pros and cons of refinancing a personal loan?

The pros of refinancing a personal loan include the potential to secure a lower interest rate, reduce monthly payments, consolidate multiple debts into a single loan, and switch to a more favorable lender. Potential downsides can include paying an origination fee for the new loan, owing a prepayment fee from your original lender, and extending your loan term, which can increase the total cost of the loan

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q325-023

Your borrowing power refers to how much credit you can get based on your financial history, including your credit history and score. Having strong borrowing power is essential if you ever want to get a mortgage, car loan, personal loan, or any other type of financing. It can also help you qualify for loans and credit cards with more favorable rates and terms. What follows are 10 effective strategies to boost your borrowing power and increase your financial opportunities.

How to Boost Your Borrowing Power

Whether you’re interested in borrowing money to make a major purchase or using a personal loan to consolidate high interest debt, here are some simple ways to increase your borrowing capacity.

1. Check Your Credit Reports

Lenders determine how much they will lend you (and if they will lend to you at all) primarily based on your credit score and history. So a great first step is to get copies of your three credit reports, and read each one over carefully. This allows you to see where you stand, as well as check for any mistakes or inaccuracies (like payments marked late when you paid on time or someone else’s credit activity mixed with yours).

You can request free copies of your credit reports from three major credit bureaus — Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® — through AnnualCreditReport.com . If you find any errors, you’ll want to file a dispute with the appropriate credit agency.

2. Be a Responsible Borrower

To show creditors that you are a safe bet, you’ll want to make sure you pay all of your bills on time. Also try to keep your credit card balances low — this impacts your credit utilization ratio (the percent of available credit you are actually using), which has a significant impact on your credit score. To calculate your credit utilization, add up all of your revolving credit balances and credit limits, divide your total balance from your total limit, and multiply that number by 100 (to get a percentage). Ideally, you want to keep credit utilization below 30%.

3. Show Financial Stability

Stability and consistency in your financial and employment history can bolster your borrowing power. Lenders generally prefer borrowers who maintain a consistent residence and have a steady job and a reliable income source. This showcases your reliability as a borrower and boosts your chances of getting approved for loans with favorable terms.

4. Consider a Co-Borrower

If your individual borrowing power is limited, using a co-borrower (such as a spouse or a family member) can significantly enhance your chances of loan approval. A co-borrower is a joint applicant who shares ownership of the loan and responsibility for payments. (This is in contrast to a cosigner, who is only liable for the loan if the primary borrower fails to make payments.) Depending on the co-borrower’s income, they may be able to help you qualify for a higher loan amount, as well as better rates and terms.

5. Shop Around

Lenders vary in terms of how much they loan out, and to whom, so it’s a good idea to explore multiple lenders, including traditional banks, online lenders, and credit unions, and compare loan options before making a decision. Some lenders will allow you to “prequalify” for a loan, which can give you a good idea of how much of a loan they will offer you and at what rate. This only requires a soft credit check and won’t impact your credit score.

6. Pay Down Existing Debt

Reducing your existing debts can have a positive impact on your credit score. Not only that, it enhances your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, a key factor considered by lenders. Your DTI ratio measures how much of your monthly gross income goes toward debt payments. This gives lenders insight into your ability to make another monthly payment and how large a payment you could handle.

To calculate your DTI, add together your fixed monthly payments (like mortgage/rent, auto loans, credit cards, and other personal loans), then divide that number by your gross monthly income (the amount you earn before taxes and other deductions). As a rule of thumb, lenders prefer a DTI ratio of 35% and under to approve you for a loan.

7. Increase Your Income

Another way to improve your DTI is to increase your income. Even if you have a large amount of debt, a high enough income can often offset it. As long as you have enough money coming in to handle your current debt and take on a new loan, a lender may not cap how much you are able to borrow.

If you have some time before you need to apply for a loan, you might look into ways to bump up your income, such as taking on a side hustle, asking for a raise, or looking for a new job that pays a higher salary.

This could help you qualify for a larger loan amount when, say, applying for a mortgage or wedding loan.

8. Don’t Leave Any Income Out

As mentioned above, your income plays a key role in how much you can borrow. So you want to be sure to include all sources of income, including:

•   Monthly salary

•   Alimony

•   Child support

•   Side-gig income

•   Rental income

•   Investment property income

Including all of your income can lower your DTI ratio, increasing your borrowing power.

9. Consider a Longer Loan Term

Generally, the longer your loan term, the lower your monthly payment. A longer loan term — and lower monthly payment — may allow you to borrow more money with less impact on your DTI ratio, giving you eligibility for a larger loan. However, you’ll want to keep in mind that extending the term of a loan typically means paying more in interest over the life of the loan, increasing your total borrowing cost.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

10. Consider Offering Collateral

You may be able to borrow more with a secured vs. an unsecured loan. With a secured loan, you put up something valuable (such as property, a vehicle, or a savings account) as collateral. The lender can take possession of this collateral if you fail to pay back loan funds as agreed. This lowers risk for the lender and, as a result, they may be willing to offer you a larger loan and/or a lower rate. If you’re already offering collateral, offering something of more value might boost the amount you’re approved for.

The Takeaway

If you’re thinking about applying for a loan for a large purchase, to consolidate other debts, start a business, or for any other purpose, it’s a good idea to look into ways to improve your borrowing power. You can start doing this right away by reviewing your credit reports, staying on top of your bills, paying down debt, using only a portion of your credit card limits and, if possible, boosting your income.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

How do you increase borrowing power?

Ways to increase borrowing power include building your credit history, reducing debt, and increasing income, among other tactics.

What influences borrowing power?

Savings and assets impact your borrowing power as they can contribute to your financial profile and the amount you are seeking to borrow. Other factors can include loan type and term. You are likely able to borrow a small loan more easily than a large one, as it represents less risk to the lender.

Do people borrow more when rates are high?

Typically, when interest rates are high, it’s more expensive to borrow money. For this reason, people may borrow less vs. more.

About the author

Julia Califano

Julia Califano is an award-winning journalist who covers banking, small business, personal loans, student loans, and other money issues for SoFi. She has over 20 years of experience writing about personal finance and lifestyle topics. Read full bio.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q325-030

Medical bills can represent a major financial challenge for many households, and sometimes they can contain errors. These mistakes can mean you’re overcharged and make unnecessary payments.

By learning how to scan your medical bills for errors, you can potentially save money and avoid stress.

How Common Are Medical Billing Errors?

Some studies have found that up to 80% of medical bills have errors. Such factors as frequently updated billing codes can wind up triggering erroneous charges.

With medical bills so complicated and medical errors so prevalent, it’s no wonder that the amount of medical debt in the U.S. is so high. One recent study found that Americans owe $220 billion in medical debt, and 14% of U.S. adults owe more than $1,000 in medical debt. What’s more, about 3 million citizens have medical debt that’s over $10,000.

One other statistic: Nearly 40% of adults with medical debt say they cut back on the needs of life (food, utilities, and rent, for instance), and 41% dipped into savings to pay off what they owe for healthcare services.

What Are Some Common Medical Billing Errors?

When medical billing inaccuracies emerge, they can either be purposeful or genuinely accidental. Either way, there are some frequent errors you may want to keep an eye out for.

Was the Bill Sent to Your Insurance Company?

If you have insurance, making sure your provider submitted a timely claim to the insurance company can be a good first step to take. Occasionally, providers may neglect to send the bill to your insurance company at all and charge you for the entire amount.

Your claim could also be denied if the provider didn’t have the right insurance information for you — even if the ID is off by just one digit. You’re already paying an insurance premium, so paying for the entire procedure out-of-pocket could boost your overall medical costs.

Were You Charged for Services You Didn’t Receive?

You may have to ask for an itemized list of all the charges in your bill, but verifying that you are only being billed for services or treatments that you actually received may be wise.

You may also want to confirm that the quantities are also correct — so you’re not being billed for two MRI scans when you only got one. The itemized bill should include prices, so checking that no extra zeros were added by mistake may be a good step in this process.

Was the Wrong Billing Code Used?

If your insurer denies coverage for a procedure or medication, you may be able to identify the correct billing code and request that the provider refile the claim. If you have questions about the codes used, checking with the medical provider and insurer may save you some research time.

One type of billing code error is known as upcoding. This is when the provider bills for a longer session than was provided (for example, being billed for a 60-minute session when you were only seen for 15 minutes). Another common error is known as unbundling, which refers to using codes for each component part of a procedure rather than a single code that covers them all.

Appealing an Insurance Denial

If you find an error during your hospital bill review, you may be able to file an appeal with your insurer if the charge was denied and you were billed for it. Appeal instructions can usually be found on the explanation of benefits received from your insurance company. Documentation to back up your appeal, such as medical records, can often help strengthen your case. The Patient Advocate Foundation offers a detailed guide to the insurance appeal process, including a sample letter.

There is usually a time limit to submit an appeal to the company providing your health insurance, which is typically 180 days, depending on the insurer. Insurers may provide a decision within 60 days. If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for an independent review — your insurer should provide you with information on how to do this.

If your appeals aren’t successful, you may wish to turn to one of several advocacy groups. For example, the Patient Advocate Foundation offers one-on-one assistance at no charge, and its website also lists organizations that provide help for people with specific conditions. People with Medicare can access free counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

If you’re still stuck, hiring a medical billing advocate to represent you may be helpful. These professionals typically charge an hourly rate or take a percentage of the money they save you.


Recommended: How to Apply for a Personal Loan

What Are Some Options for Paying Off Medical Bills?

Even if you find errors in your medical bills and are able to resolve them, chances are this won’t eliminate what you owe entirely. Here are some ways you can approach paying off medical debt:

Negotiating a Reduced Bill or Payment Plan

Even if your bills don’t include any mistakes, they aren’t necessarily set in stone. If you’re having trouble making a payment, calling your provider’s billing department and explaining your situation may be the best first step to take.

Some may be willing to negotiate your medical bills, possibly lowering your fees if you make the payment in cash or in a lump sum.

You may be able to gain additional leverage by asserting, politely and accurately, that the provider charged an unfair rate, bolstered by research on average prices in your area and what Medicare allows for the service.

Even if you can’t get your payment reduced, you may be able to extend the due date. Many providers and hospitals will work with you to set up an affordable payment plan, sometimes without charging interest.

Budgeting for the Unexpected

Medical bills can pack an unexpected punch to an already tight budget. If you’ve already used some of the strategies listed above to reduce what you owe, it might be necessary to reduce expenses or increase income while you pay medical bills.

Taking a look at current spending is a good place to start. Determine whether there is nonessential spending that could be put toward what is owed.

If there is absolutely no wiggle room at all, you might consider increasing your income by taking on a side hustle or asking for a raise.

Once you find a way to include medical payments into your budget, using a spending tracker could be a helpful way to make sure you have the funds available each month.

Using a Credit Card

Paying medical bills with a credit card is certainly an option. It might be a quick and initially easy option, but it might not be the best. Credit cards typically charge high interest rates, which could make your medical debt larger over time. One solution might be to look for a no-interest credit card.

You’ll also want to create a debt reduction plan so that you can pay the balance in full before the promotional period ends.

Taking Out a Personal Loan

A personal loan can be a smart way to pay off medical debt. This type of loan is typically unsecured, meaning you are not putting your home or any other asset on the line.

A personal loan can be used for many purposes, including paying off medical bills, but typically comes with much lower interest rates than credit cards or payday loans.

Note that you can use a personal loan calculator to see how much interest you could save by using a loan to pay off a credit card.

Recommended: A Guide to Unsecured Personal Loans

The Takeaway

Taking time to review medical bills and making sure there are no errors can save time and money in the long run. Understanding medical bills and the insurance appeals process — if that’s a step you have to take — can be confusing, so getting assistance is sometimes helpful.

Keep in mind that even if you’re able to resolve the medical billing error, you may still owe money. There are different strategies for paying off medical debt. You may decide to try negotiating a reduced bill or setting up a payment plan with your provider. You could try removing nonessential items from your budget so you can pay off your bills. A credit card is another option, as is taking out a personal loan.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

How to check for medical billing errors?

It can be hard to understand medical bills and identify billing errors. One tactic to check for medical billing errors is to have your healthcare provider’s billing department walk you through exactly what you are being charged for and why.

Can I sue for incorrect medical billing?

It can be wise to first address discrepancies with the health care provider’s office. If you don’t reach an agreement about correcting an issue, know that the False Claims Act (FCA) can provide legal recourse to combat fraudulent medical billing.

What do I do if I think a medical bill is wrong?

You can address perceived errors on a medical bill with the provider and/or with your insurer. If the insurer doesn’t resolve the situation to your satisfaction, you might need to file an appeal or consult legal counsel.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q325-021

If you have unmanageable credit card debt, you might consider credit card debt settlement, a process where you negotiate with your credit card company or a debt collector to pay off less than the total amount owed. The creditor agrees to forgive a portion of the debt in exchange for a lump-sum payment or a payment plan.

This guide provides more information about negotiating a credit card debt settlement.

The Difference Between Secured and Unsecured Debt

First, take a closer look at the type of debt a credit card typically is. When a credit card company issues a credit card, it’s offering you credit. It’s taking a chance on getting its money back, plus interest. It’s more than likely that the credit card you have is considered unsecured.

Unsecured debt isn’t connected to any of your assets that a credit card company can seize in the event that you default on your payments. Essentially, the credit card company is taking your word for it that you are going to come through with the monthly payments.

Secured debt works a bit differently. They’re backed by an asset, like your car or home. If you default on a secured debt, your lender could seize the asset and sell it to pay off your debt. Mortgages and auto loans are two common types of secured debt.

Credit Card Debt Negotiation Steps

The process of negotiating credit card debt usually begins when you have multiple late or skipped payments — not just one. A good first step is to find out exactly how much you owe, and then research the different options that may be available to you. Examples include a payment plan, an increase in loan terms or lowered interest rates.

Once you have that information, you’re ready to negotiate. You can start by calling your credit card company and asking for the debt settlement department. Or, you can send a note by email or regular mail.

You may have to go through a number of customer service reps and managers before striking a deal, but taking the initiative can show creditors that you are handling the situation honestly and doing what you need to do.

When you do reach an agreement, be sure to get the agreed-upon terms in writing.

Types of Credit Card Debt Settlements

Here are some options when it comes to credit card debt settlement.

Lump Sum Settlement

This type of agreement is perhaps the most obvious option. Essentially, it involves paying cash and instantly getting out of credit card debt. With a lump sum settlement, you pay an agreed-upon amount, and then get forgiveness for the rest of the debt you owe.

There is no guarantee as to what lump sum the credit card company might go for, but being open and upfront about your situation could help your cause.

Workout Agreement

This type of debt settlement offers a degree of flexibility. You may be able negotiate a lower interest rate or waive interest for a certain period of time. Or, you can talk to your credit card issuer about reducing your minimum payment or waiving late fees.

Hardship Agreement

Also known as a forbearance program, this type of agreement could be a good option to pursue if your financial issues are temporary, such as the loss of a job.

Different options are usually offered in a hardship agreement. Examples include lowering interest rate, removing late fees, reducing minimum payment, or even skipping a few payments.

Why a Credit Card Settlement May Not Be Your Best Option

Watching your credit card balance grow each month can be scary. Depending on your circumstances, a settlement may be the best solution for you.

However, it’s not without its drawbacks. For starters, a settlement may result in your credit card privileges being cut off and your account frozen until a settlement agreement is reached between you and the credit card company.

Your credit score could take a hit, too. This is because your debt obligations are reported to the credit bureaus on a monthly basis. If you aren’t making your payments in full, this will be noted by the credit bureaus.

That said, by negotiating a credit card settlement, you may be able to avoid bankruptcy and give the credit card company a chance to recoup some of its losses. This could stand in your favor when it comes to rebuilding your credit and getting solvent again.

Recommended: Personal Loan Interest Rates

Solutions Beyond Credit Card Debt Settlements

Personal Loan

Consolidating all of your high-interest credit cards into one low-interest unsecured personal loan with a fixed monthly payment can help you get on a path to pay off the credit card debt. Keep in mind that getting this kind of loan, often called a credit card consolidation loan, still means managing monthly debt payments. It requires the borrower to diligently pay off the loan without missing payments on a set schedule, with a firm end date.

For this reason, a personal loan is known as closed-end credit. A credit card, on the other hand, is considered open-end credit, because it allows you to continue to charge debt (up to the credit limit) on a rolling basis, with no payoff date to work towards.

Recommended: Guide to Unsecured Personal Loans

Transferring Balances

Essentially, a balance transfer is paying one credit card off with another. Most credit cards won’t let you use another card to make your payments, especially if it’s from the same lender. If your credit is in good shape, you can apply for a balance transfer credit card to pay down debt without high interest charges.

Many balance transfer credit cards offer an introductory 0% APR, but keep in mind that a sweet deal like that usually only lasts about six to 18 months. After that introductory rate expires, the interest rate can jump back to a scary level — and other terms, conditions, and balance transfer fees may also apply.

Credit Consumer Counseling Services

Credit consumer counseling services often take a more holistic approach to debt management. You’ll work with a trained credit counselor to develop a plan to manage your debt. Typically, the counselor doesn’t negotiate a reduction in debts owed. However, they may be able to have your loan terms extended or interest rates lowered, which would lower your monthly payments. (Note that extending a loan term typically results in more interest paid over the life of the loan.)

A credit counselor can also help you create a budget, offer guidance on your money and debts, provide workshops or educational materials, and more.

Many credit counseling agencies are nonprofit and offer counseling services for free or at a low cost. You can search this list of nonprofit agencies that have been certified by the Justice Department.

The Takeaway

When credit card debt starts to become unmanageable, negotiating a credit card debt settlement may be an option to consider. There are different types of settlement options to consider. Understanding what’s available to you — and what makes sense for your financial situation and needs — can help you make an informed decision. If a settlement isn’t right for you, there are other solutions, such as a personal loan or credit counseling services, that may be a better fit.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

What percentage of debt will credit card companies settle for?

Credit card companies may settle for repayment of a reduced amount of the total debt, often between 20% and 80% of the outstanding balance. The exact percentage varies based on factors like the age and amount of the debt and the account holder’s ability to demonstrate financial hardship.

Can I negotiate a credit card settlement?

To negotiate credit card debt settlement yourself, decide what you can afford to pay and offer to settle with the creditor in a lump sum or installment plan. The creditor is not obligated to negotiate, but you may be successful.

Will creditors accept a 50% settlement?

Some creditors may accept 50% of the amount owed as part of a debt settlement. Others may want 75%–80% of what you owe. It can make sense to start low with your first offer and negotiate from there.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q325-025

If you’re having trouble paying your student loans, you’re not alone. More than 42.7 million borrowers have federal student loan debt.

In fact, 20% of all American adults with undergraduate degrees have outstanding student debt and 24% of postgraduate degree holders report outstanding student loans, according to the Education Data Initiative. Almost 8%% of students use student loans from a private source, such as a bank or a credit union. The average federal student loan debt balance is $38,375, while the total average balance (including private loan debt) may be as high as $41,618.

If you’re among these borrowers, you may find it challenging to afford the payments on your loans—especially if you have other debt and financial obligations. Student loan debt is now the second-highest consumer debt category after mortgages.

If you are delinquent on your student loan for a certain period of time, your loan will go into what’s called default. The consequences to student loan default can be serious–and if the student loan in question is private (rather than federal) there are particular factors to be aware of. Read on to learn what can happen if you don’t pay your private student loans, what your options are, and how best to avoid a default happening in the first place.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Private Student Loans?

Each private student loan lender will likely be a little different, but generally, missing a student loan payment can put your loan into delinquency, and may incur late fees and/or penalties.

In addition, depending on the loan, interest can accrue on those penalties and on the unpaid principal loan amount, which then can get added to how much you owe. If you miss too many consecutive payments, you may be at risk of defaulting on the loan.

Each private lender has their own terms that trigger student loan default. That typically means multiple missed payments. Even if you declare bankruptcy, it’s unlikely your student loan debt goes away. It’s important to check the terms of your private student loans, since they vary by lender.

Once a student loan goes into delinquency or default, it will likely affect your credit score. That can possibly affect your ability to take out loans in the future or achieve other financial goals, like buying a house.

In addition, once a private student loan goes into default, the lender can send it to collections. If you can’t pay your private student loans, you could ultimately face a judgment that could result in a garnishment of your wages.

Ideally, if your student loan payments are too high, you might consider other options before risking delinquency or default.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? You could save thousands.

What If You Can’t Pay Your Federal Student Loans?

The penalties and provisions attached to federal student loans are quite different from those for private student loans. If you have both federal and private loans it’s important to consider them separately when coming up with a plan to grapple with default.

Federal loans often come with more protections and options for repayment plans. One option is to pursue an income-driven repayment plan (IDR), which allows for more manageable payments based on your income and family size. Generally, your payment amount under an income-driven repayment plan is a percentage of your discretionary income. The percentage is different depending on the plan.

You might also be eligible for deferment or forbearance for your federal loans, if you qualify, which can temporarily pause your student loan payments.

Even though federal student loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized) are government-backed and originated by the U.S. Department of Education, they’re administered by a student loan servicer, which is a private company in charge of the loan. While this means you might be making your payments to a private loan company, it’s still a federal student loan and it comes with federal student loan protections.

Options If You Can’t Pay Your Private Student Loans

If your private student loan repayment seems too high, however, the options are different. You can’t apply for an IDR plan for a private student loan, for example. Every private loan lender sets its own terms and conditions. Getting private student loan help varies with each lender.

While there are fewer options if you can’t make your private student loan payments, there are still some actions you can consider.

1. Talking to Your Lender

If your private student loan payments are too high, then it might be worth talking to your lender. You could start by getting a copy of your promissory note so that you know all the terms and conditions of your specific loan.

Each private lender sets out its own repayment and deferment options, so your loan may differ from your friends’ loans.

Lenders, however, want to get paid, and it’s not in their interest for you to default. Once you have the terms of your loan in hand, then you can try talking to your private lender about potential alternative student loan repayment plans to see if they’ll work with you on what you can afford or even if you might be able to put your loan payments on hold if you need to.

2. Exploring Deferment and Forbearance Options

In certain circumstances, as mentioned above, deferment and forbearance are available to temporarily put payments for federal loans on hold. However, for private student loans, the forbearance and deferment options will be determined by your lender.

Private lenders may offer forbearance and/or deferment in certain circumstances, such as returning to grad school or entering active military duty. If you can’t pay your private student loans, then you may want to see if your lender offers these options.

It’s important to know, though, that in most cases, interest continues to accrue and compound during forbearance or deferment on private student loans. That means the interest on the amount you owe builds up and gets added to the loan principal (which then accrues its own interest), and could end up costing you more in the long run.

3. Making a Student Loan Repayment Budget

This may sound obvious, but it can be important to create a plan and budget for repaying your student loans. Cutting back on some expenses or looking for additional income to allocate towards student loan payments could pay off in the long run.

Because student loan interest accrues and compounds over time, every little bit paid off now can save more money later.

In addition, if a borrower makes as many payments as possible on time, it could save late fees or additional penalties.

There are a few principles for how to tackle student loan payment.

You could start with the loans that have the smallest balances and build momentum, a strategy known as the snowball method, or start with the highest interest loans to save yourself the most money (the avalanche method).

You can also benefit from prepaying more than the minimum monthly payment. If you allocate additional payment towards your loan principal, then you won’t accrue interest on that principal you paid down, and you could save yourself money.

4. Refinancing your Student Loans

If your private student loan payments are too high, one way to potentially lower your monthly payments could be to refinance your student loans by extending your term.

If you need lower monthly payments right away, extending your loan term is one way to accomplish this. (You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term, however.)

Once you’re on more solid financial footing, refinancing could qualify you for a lower interest rate, which could save you money in the long run (since interest adds up and compounds over time).

Recommended: How to Pay Off Student Loans

5. Declaring Bankruptcy

It is possible to declare bankruptcy when the majority of your debt is made up of student loans. However, the legal bar for having your student debt discharged is high.

You may have your federal student loan discharged in bankruptcy only if you file a separate action, known as an “adversary proceeding,” requesting the bankruptcy court find that repayment would impose undue hardship on you and your dependents in the future.

Private student loans can also be discharged in bankruptcy. Note that private student loans are exempt from bankruptcy discharge (similar to taxes and child support) without a separate application. In that application, you would have to prove in court that you are unable to pay the loan and make a case that it will be extremely difficult to do so in the foreseeable future.

However, if you can make a case for it financially, the court may rule to discharge the loan. “Some private loans for educational purposes can be discharged in a normal bankruptcy proceeding, just like most other consumer debts,” according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

It’s important to take into consideration the serious impact a bankruptcy will have on your credit rating and ability to borrow money in the future.

Recommended: Bankruptcy and Student Loans, Explained

Lowering Your Student Loan Payments

If you’re struggling to make your payments and need private student loan help, then refinancing your private student loans, ideally with a lower interest rate or more favorable loan terms could lower your monthly payments. Just be aware that refinancing federal student loans makes them ineligible for federal benefits like income-driven repayment plans and deferment.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

FAQ

What happens if you can’t pay back a private student loan?

Each lender handles this issue differently, but in general, if you can’t pay back a private student loan, your loan first goes into delinquency, and you may be charged penalties and/or late fees. Typically, after a number of missed payments, the loan goes into default, which can damage your credit score and make it more difficult to get credit or loans, including a mortgage. The lender can also send your loan to collections. If you still can’t pay it, they might pursue a judgment to try to garnish your wages.

To avoid delinquency or default, reach out to your lender immediately if you’re having trouble repaying your loan to find out what your options are.

How can I get rid of student loan debt legally?

To get rid of student loan debt legally, you have a few options. If you have federal student loans, you could opt for an income-driven repayment plan, which bases your monthly loan payments on your discretionary income and family size and typically results in a lower monthly payment. If you choose the income-based repayment (IBR) plan, your remaining loan balance may be forgiven after you make a certain number of payments over 20 or 25 years.

If you have private student loans, you can talk to your lender to see if they might be willing to negotiate a settlement or offer you deferment or forbearance. Or you could consider refinancing your loans to lower your monthly payments, if you qualify. You could also declare bankruptcy, but the process is challenging and it will have a serious impact on your credit and ability to borrow money in the future.

What do I do if I cannot afford my student loans?

If you cannot afford your student loans, there are ways to potentially lower your monthly payments to make them more manageable, such as switching to an income-driven repayment plan if you have federal loans, or applying for federal deferment or forbearance.

For private loans, you can reach out to your lender to see if they might be willing to offer you a repayment plan with a lower monthly payment. You could also examine your budget and look for expenses to eliminate and reduce, and then put the money you save toward your loan payments. You might also consider student loan refinancing to see if you qualify for a lower interest rate or more favorable loan terms that could lower your payments.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.

Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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