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While some states have passed legislation ensuring paid family leave for employees at larger companies, many new parents have to make do with a combination of vacation time, sick days, and short-term disability.

Read on to find out what parents may be entitled to based on state regulations and company policy, and how you can maximize your benefits so you can get paid while on maternity leave.

What Is Paid Maternity Leave?

Paid maternity leave (or paternity leave) refers to the time off with pay that some companies grant employees welcoming a new baby or adopted child. Workers often receive only a percentage of their full-time pay, typically 60% to 80%, with limits based on the statewide average pay.

In the United States, businesses are not legally required to give employees paid maternity leave. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 23% of civilian workers had access to paid family leave in 2021. The U.S. is the only wealthy nation in the world that doesn’t mandate paid parental leave.

Fortunately, 11 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation guaranteeing paid parental leave — though some laws don’t go into effect until 2023 or later. Federal workers nationwide are granted 12 weeks of paid family leave.

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How Long Is Maternity Leave?

Companies that voluntarily provide employees paid parental leave offer an average of 8 weeks. Because many parents find this inadequate — experts recommend 3 to 6 months — even employees with paid leave often extend their leave with vacation time and sick days.

Globally, the average paid maternity leave is 29 weeks.

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Benefits of Paid Family Leave

Research shows that paid family leave offers many benefits to parents and children. In one sense, the extra income helps families over the longer term, especially in lower-income households.

In another way, the time families spend together boosts the health of parents and children. Mothers are able to fully recover from childbirth, which can take six to eight weeks. And a child’s health is strengthened by the extra bonding time, regular breastfeeding, and reduced exposure to infectious disease.

Paid family leave may also cover other health emergencies, including:

•   Adoption or foster child care

•   Care of a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition

•   A personal serious health condition

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What Is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law passed in 1993 that grants unpaid but job-protected family leave for eligible employees of larger companies. Individuals can also take time off to care for any family member with a serious health condition.

The law is designed to help families cope with emergencies that may occur without having to worry about losing their job. It also ensures that leave is available on a gender-neutral basis and supports equal employment opportunity for women and men.

FMLA Maternity Leave Eligibility Requirements

For an employee to qualify for FMLA benefits, both the employer and employee must meet certain requirements.

Employer Requirements

FMLA applies only to employers with 50 or more employees within 75 miles.

Worker Requirements

An employee must have worked for their company for at least 12 months and worked 1,250 hours within the past 12 months. Some part-time workers may not qualify.

State Laws for Maternity Leave

As noted above, 11 states and the District of Columbia have passed paid parental leave legislation, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, plus the District of Columbia. Benefits and eligibility vary from state to state.

Ways to Extend Maternity Leave

Traditionally, women without adequate maternity benefits have made do by cobbling together vacation and sick days, short-term disability, and unpaid leave. More recently, working from home — sometimes on a reduced schedule — has allowed parents to extend their time at home with pay.

You may want to search for a parental leave consultant in your state, such as MilkYourBenefits.com in California. For a fee, these advisors can provide up-to-date information on family leave law and the benefits you may qualify for.

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How to Prepare for Maternity Leave

It’s a good idea to prepare financially for maternity leave well in advance. Put away money and save for your baby. Here’s a rough timeline to help you plan for the big event.

1. Research State Laws and Company Policies

Before you announce that you are pregnant, find out what your company and state rules are for maternity leave. You can also look into how your medical insurance will work while you are out and how to add your baby to your plan. Check whether your premiums will go up.

You don’t have to inform your employer at this early stage. Your company should have an employee handbook that outlines family leave benefits, or it might be written into your contract.

If you experience pre- or post-natal health problems (such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, or C-section), you might qualify for short-term disability. However, know that disability benefits for pregnancy-related reasons are available only in some states. c

2. Develop a Maternity Leave Plan

Notify your employer of your pregnancy as you begin to show. Prepare for negotiating your leave by creating a plan for coverage while you are gone. For example, suggest a colleague you can train before you take leave. Explain how you plan to keep in touch with work while you are out.

Company maternity leave policy is not set in stone. You can negotiate with your employer to extend your paid time off, or perhaps propose a work-from-home or part-time arrangement.

Your boss may not agree with your plan, so consider it a jumping off point. One tactic is to present to your employer two or three options that you can live with. Your supervisor may well pick one of them. Finally, put it in writing and have it signed so that your employer cannot renege.

3. Start Planning Your Budget

Once you have a general idea of your income during maternity leave, prepare a new budget that includes all of your anticipated expenses. Check out tips on how to budget on a fluctuating income.

A budget planner app like SoFi can make the budgeting easier because it tracks your expenses for you and gives a breakdown of your spending by category.

4. Write a Plan for Your Replacement

Before you write out instructions for those who will cover for you while you are gone, have a discussion with your teammates to make sure they are on board. Include in your instructions the dates that you will be gone, who will be responsible for what, and how you will communicate with your team (whether you will take part in meetings remotely, etc.).

Recommended: Can You Get a Home Loan While on Maternity Leave?

The Takeaway

FMLA requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Research the benefits that you’re entitled to based on state regulations and company policy. Your maternity leave may end up being cobbled together from a combination of vacation time, sick days, short-term disability, work-from-home, and unpaid leave.

SoFi has an app that helps you plan for life-changing events like starting a family. From your smartphone, you can track your expenses, explore the debt payoff planner, monitor your credit score, and talk to a financial planner for no cost.

SoFi makes it easy to know where you stand.

FAQ

What questions should I ask HR before going on maternity leave?

You can ask HR what benefits you are entitled to and how your health insurance will change after the birth or adoption. It’s also important to ensure the required forms are completed and any negotiated agreements for maternity leave are laid out in writing and signed by your employer.

How should you prepare financially for maternity leave?

In an ideal world, you would start saving for the baby before you are pregnant. Once you have negotiated your maternity leave and have an idea of your income, create a new budget that includes baby expenses.

Also check whether you qualify for any tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, or the Adoption Credit and Adoption Assistance Programs. Taking out a College 529 savings plan for your child will reduce your taxable income.

What is short-term disability insurance and how does it impact maternity leave?

Short-term disability is an insurance program offered by some employers. Policies vary, but you might be entitled to 50% of your income or more for up to six weeks after giving birth if you have a C-section or experience complications. Check with your staff handbook and your HR department to find out if you might be eligible for short-term disability.

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Photo credit: iStock/Maria Korneeva

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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Closing a credit card with a balance remaining is possible to do. However, keep in mind that even if your credit card account is closed, you’ll still have to pay off the remaining balance. Additionally, you’ll need to cover interest that’s accrued as well as any fees, and you could face other consequences, including losing out on rewards and seeing potential impacts to your credit score.

Still, there are instances when closing a credit card can be the right move. If you’re thinking about closing a credit card account with an outstanding balance, you’ll want to weigh these considerations — and also ensure you have a plan for paying off your remaining balance.

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What Happens If You Close a Credit Card Account With a Balance?

Once you’ve closed a credit card account with a balance, you’ll no longer be able to use that card to make purchases. Beyond that, here’s what else you can expect after your account closure.

Payment of Balance and Interest

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when a credit card is closed with balance is that you’re still liable for the credit card balance you’ve racked up. You’ll also owe any interest charges that have accrued on your outstanding balance.

As such, expect to continue receiving monthly statements from your credit card issuer detailing your balance, accrued interest, and minimum payment due. And until you’re absolutely positive your debt is paid off, keep on checking your credit card balance regularly.

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Loss of Promotional APR

If the card you closed offered a promotional interest rate, this offer will likely come to an end. If you’ve been carrying a balance on a credit card, your balance could start to accrue interest. Plus, you may have to pay the standard APR on the remaining balance rather than the lower promotional rate.

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Loss of Rewards

Before you move forward with canceling a credit card that offers rewards like points or airline miles, make sure you’ve redeemed any rewards you’ve earned. That’s because you may forfeit those rewards if you close your account.

Policies on this can vary from issuer to issuer though, so just make sure to check with your credit card company to be safe rather than sorry.

How Closing Credit Cards With Balances Can Impact Your Credit

There are a number of ways that closing credit card accounts with a balance can adversely affect your credit score given how credit cards work. Closed accounts in good standing will remain on your credit report for 10 years, whereas those with derogatory marks may fall off after seven years.

For starters, closing your account could drive up your credit utilization ratio, one of the factors that goes into calculating your score. This ratio is determined by dividing your total credit balances by the total of all of your credit limits. Losing the available credit on your closed account can drive up this ratio.

Further, closing your account can impact your credit mix, as you’ll have one fewer line of credit in the mix. It also could decrease your length of credit history if the card you closed was an old one.

That being said, the impacts can vary depending on your credit profile and the credit scoring model that’s being used. If, after closing your account, you pay off your account balance in a timely manner and uphold good credit behavior across other accounts, your score can likely bounce back.

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Is Keeping the Credit Card Account Open a Better Option?

In some scenarios, it may make sense to keep your credit card active, even if you don’t plan on spending on the card. Here’s when opting against closing your credit card account might be the right move:

•   When you can switch credit cards: If your card carrier allows it, you might be able to switch to a different credit card it offers rather than closing out your account entirely. This might make sense if you’re worried about your card’s annual fee, for instance. You’ll still owe any outstanding debt on the old credit card, which will get moved over to the new card (the same goes if you happen to have a negative balance on a credit card).

•   When you have unused credit card rewards: With a rewards credit card, closing the account may jeopardize the use of earned rewards. Avoid that scenario by keeping the credit card active until you’ve used up all the rewards earned on your current credit card, or at least until you’ve transferred them to a new credit card, if that’s an option.

•   When you don’t use the credit card: Even if you don’t use your credit card, or use it sparingly, keeping the card open can help your credit score. This is because creditors and lenders usually look more favorably on credit card users who don’t rack up significant credit card debt, which is why maintaining a low credit utilization ratio is one of the key credit card rules to follow.

That being said, there are certainly some scenarios when it can make sense to say goodbye to your credit card account. Here’s when to cancel your credit card, or at least consider it:

•   You want to avoid the temptation to spend.

•   You want to stop paying your card’s annual fee.

•   The card’s interest rate is rising.

•   You’d like to have fewer credit card accounts to manage.

Guide to Paying Off a Credit Card Balance

No matter what you do with your credit card account, you’re going to have to pay down your credit card debt. That scenario grows more important with a closed card account, which can easily be forgotten — along with the debt you owe.

To avoid making that mistake, here are some options you can explore to pay off your closed credit account with a balance as soon as possible.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Debt Consolidation Loans

A personal loan at a decent interest rate can make it easier to curb and eliminate your card debt. Once the funds from the loan hit your bank account, you can use the cash to pay off all your credit card debts. Then, you’ll only have to keep track of paying off that one loan with fixed monthly payments, making it easier to manage.

Keep in mind that you’ll generally need good credit to secure a personal loan with competitive terms though.

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Balance Transfer Credit Cards

A balance transfer card with a 0% introductory interest rate can buy you some time when paying down debt. You can transfer your existing debt to the new card, allowing you to pay down credit card debt at a lower interest rate, without racking up any additional interest payments during the promotional period.

Just make sure to pay off the entire balance before the card’s introductory interest rate period ends, and the interest rate rises significantly. Otherwise, you may be right back where you started — with high credit card debt and a high interest rate. Also note that a ​​ balance transfer fee will likely apply.

Debt Avalanche or Snowball

For credit card debt repayment, consider the debt avalanche or snowball approach.

With the avalanche debt repayment method, you prioritize paying off your credit card with the highest interest rate first. Meanwhile, you’ll maintain minimum payments on all of your other debts. Once your highest-rate debt is paid off, you’ll roll those funds over to tackle your balance with the next highest interest rate.

The snowball method, on the other hand, is all about building up momentum toward debt payoff. Here, you pay as much as possible each month toward your credit card with the lowest outstanding balance, while making minimum payments on all of your other outstanding debts. When the smallest debt is paid off completely, repeat the process with the next smallest balance.

Debt Management Plan

If you’re still having trouble paying down your credit card either before or after you close the account, that could be a red flag signaling that you need help. In this case, consider reaching out to an accredited debt management counselor who can set you on the right path to credit debt insolvency.

In addition to helping you create a debt management plan, a credit counselor can help by negotiating a better deal on interest rates and lower monthly payments. That could result in paying down your credit card debt more quickly, which not only saves you money, but also helps protect your credit score.

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The Takeaway

If you decide to close your credit card account with a balance, it’s critical to do so in a way where your debt obligations are covered and your credit score is well-protected. The key to doing the job right is to work with your card company, keep a close eye on outstanding balances and payment deadlines, and work aggressively to pay your card debt down as quickly as possible.

Since closing a credit card can have consequences, it’s especially important to consider a credit card carefully before you apply.

The SoFi Credit Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. There are no spending categories or reward caps to worry about.¹

Take advantage of this offer by applying for a SoFi credit card today.

FAQ

Can you close a credit card with a balance?

Closing a credit card with a balance is possible. However, you’ll still be responsible for the outstanding balance on the card, as well as any interest charges and fees.

Does it hurt your credit to close a credit card with a balance?

Closing your credit card with a balance remaining has the potential to impact your credit score. However, the exact implications for your score can vary depending on your overall credit profile and which credit scoring model is being used.

Is it better to close a credit card or leave it open with a zero balance?

That depends on your personal situation. Closing a card for good may impact your credit score, but you also won’t be able to use the card again and risk racking up unwanted debt in the process.

What happens if you close a credit card with a negative balance?

If you close a credit card with a negative balance, that means the card issuer owes you money instead of vice versa. In this situation, the card issuer will typically refund you that money before closing out the account.

How do I close a credit card without hurting my credit score?

You can mitigate the impacts of closing your account by paying off the balance on that account and all other credit card accounts you have. If you have $0 balances, then closing your account and losing that available credit won’t affect your credit utilization rate.

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Photo credit: iStock/staticnak1983

¹Members earn 2 rewards points for every dollar spent on purchases. No rewards points will be earned with respect to reversed transactions, returned purchases, or other similar transactions. When you elect to redeem rewards points into your SoFi Checking or Savings account, SoFi Money® account, SoFi Active Invest account, SoFi Credit Card account, or SoFi Personal, Private Student, or Student Loan Refinance, your rewards points will redeem at a rate of 1 cent per every point. For more details please visit the Rewards page. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. SoFi Securities LLC is an affiliate of SoFi Bank, N.A.

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

The SoFi Credit Card is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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If you’re thinking about closing a credit card, you may be wondering: Does closing a credit card hurt your credit? Like most financial questions, the answer is that it depends.

If you already have good to excellent credit, closing one credit card generally won’t have a huge impact on your credit score. However, there are a few scenarios where closing a credit card can hurt your credit score. We’ll explore the potential consequences of closing a credit card, as well as alternatives to explore to avoid possible impacts to your credit score.

Ways Closing Your Credit Card Can Affect Your Credit Score

If you’re worried about whether it hurts your credit to close a credit card, you should know that there are two main ways that canceling a credit card can indeed affect your credit score.

Through Credit Card Utilization Ratio

The first way that canceling a credit card affects your credit score is by lowering your credit card utilization ratio. Your utilization ratio (sometimes called your utilization percentage) is the total amount of available credit that you’re actually using. If you have a credit card with a $10,000 limit and you regularly spend $5,000 on that card each month, you’d have a utilization ratio of 50% ($5,000 divided by $10,000).

Having a low utilization ratio is generally considered a positive factor in determining your credit score.
Lenders prefer when you’re not using all of your available credit, since doing so can be an indicator of financial distress. When you cancel a credit card, you lower the total amount of your available credit line, which will generally raise your credit card utilization ratio.

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Impact on the Length of Credit History

Another way that canceling a credit card can affect your credit score is by impacting the average length of your credit history. Your average age of credit accounts is another factor in determining your credit score, with an older average being better. You’ll especially see an impact on your score if you close a card that you’ve had for a very long time — and the impacts of a bad credit score are myriad.

When Canceling a Credit Card Might Make Sense

There are several scenarios when canceling a credit card might be the right financial move, such as when:

•   Your card has a steep annual fee that isn’t worth it. One of the most common reasons for when to cancel your credit card is if you have a card with an annual fee and you’re no longer getting enough in benefits to justify paying that cost. It doesn’t make sense to pay an annual fee of $100 or more a year if you’re not getting much benefit from having the card — and there are plenty of credit cards that come with no annual fee.

•   You have multiple credit cards and want to streamline your finances. Another scenario is if you have multiple credit cards and want to simplify your finances. With how credit cards work, missing a payment can have a big negative impact on your credit score. So if you’re in a situation where you have too many credit cards and are having trouble keeping payments straight, it may be a good idea to simplify your life and cancel some of your credit cards.

•   You have a high interest rate on a card. Particularly if you need to carry a balance for whatever reason, ditching a card with a high interest rate might be in your best interest. That will save you from paying more than necessary in interest charges.

•   You want to replace a basic or secured credit card. Another reason you might consider canceling your card is if you have a very basic starter credit card, or if you have a secured credit card and want to upgrade to an unsecured card. Especially if your credit score has dramatically improved since you opened that card, you could secure better terms and potentially the opportunity to earn rewards as well.

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When It Might Make Sense to Keep the Credit Card Account Open

On the other hand, there can be good reasons to keep your credit card accounts open as well. This includes if:

•   Your card doesn’t have an annual fee. If the card has no annual fee, you could always keep the card open and not use it rather than closing the account. When you close an account, the next time the credit bureaus are updating your credit score, your score may decrease. Keeping your credit card open instead will prevent that.

•   You don’t have many accounts open. One of the factors that’s used to determine your credit score is your mix of accounts. If you don’t have many accounts open, closing one of your few accounts could ding you in this area, possibly dragging down your credit score. Plus, it could cause your available credit to take a big hit, which would increase your credit utilization.

•   Your only reason for canceling is not using your card very often. Given the potential impacts to your credit, if you don’t have much reason to cancel a credit card, you’re likely better off keeping it open due to the importance of good credit. That way, you won’t risk driving up your credit utilization or lowering the average age of your accounts, both of which can cause your score to drop. Plus, there aren’t any penalties for not using a credit card frequently.

Guide to Closing a Credit Card Safely

To close a credit card safely, there are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind before canceling your card.

Automatic Payments

If you have any automatic payments being charged to the card, you’ll want to contact the vendors and change them to another card, if you own multiple credit cards. Once you close your credit card account, if a vendor attempts to charge your account, the charge will likely be denied. This could lead to interruptions in other areas of your life, especially if it’s for something crucial like rent or utilities.

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Paying Your Balances in Full

Simply closing your credit card account does not eliminate your responsibility for any charges already on the account. You’re still just as responsible and liable for the total balance on your account, so you should pay off your balance in full, if possible. If you don’t pay the full balance when you close the account, your card issuer will still issue you monthly statements, and interest will continue to accrue.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Redeeming Your Rewards

If you have a credit card that allows you to earn cash-back, travel, or other rewards, you’ll want to redeem those rewards before you close your account. Once you close your account, you may not be able to access them, and it’s possible that you will lose some of your hard-earned rewards. To avoid that possibility, you should redeem your rewards before canceling your credit card account.

Alternatives to Canceling a Credit Card

If you’re worried about how closing a credit card can hurt your credit, there are alternatives to explore.

Downgrade to a No-Fee Card

If one of the reasons you’re considering canceling your credit card is to avoid paying an annual fee, you may be able to downgrade the card instead. Many credit card issuers offer a variety of different cards, and only some of them come with annual fees. Downgrading to a no-fee card will keep your account open without having to pay the annual fee.

Negotiate With Your Credit Card Company

Another option is to negotiate with your credit card company. Most credit card issuers do not want you to cancel your card, so you may be willing to negotiate for better terms. This might include waiving the annual fee, lowering the interest rate, or getting additional rewards — it never hurts to call your credit card company to ask what they might be willing to do.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Put Your Card Away

If you’re considering canceling your credit card because you’re worried about overspending on the card, you also have the option to just take it out of your wallet. Depending on your situation, simply placing the card in your sock drawer, for instance, might prevent you from overspending without having to actually close the account.

Check Your Credit Report Before Closing an Account

If you’ve decided to close your credit card account, you’ll want to check your credit report both before and after canceling your card. If you’re concerned about how checking your credit score affects your rating, remember that it won’t affect it.

Also keep in mind that you have different credit scores, so take some time to check each one before and after closing your account. That way, you’ll have an accurate idea of how closing your credit card affected your credit score.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score

The Takeaway

While closing a credit card likely won’t have a huge impact on your credit score, it can lower it, especially in certain situations. Unless you have a good reason for closing your account, you may want to consider keeping your credit card open. Instead, you could consider downgrading to a no-fee card, negotiating with your credit card company, or just taking your card out of your wallet.

FAQ

Is closing a credit card bad?

Closing a credit card isn’t usually bad, but it also won’t help your score in most situations. Instead, consider alternatives to closing your credit card like downgrading your card or negotiating with your card issuer.

Is it better to cancel unused credit cards or keep them?

In many scenarios, it’s preferable to just keep your credit card accounts open, even if you don’t regularly use them. This allows your average age of accounts to increase and also lowers your utilization ratio by having access to a higher total of overall available credit. Both of these factors can help raise your credit score.

Does closing a credit card with a zero balance affect your credit score?

If you close a credit card, even if you have a $0 balance, your credit score might drop. This is because closing your card could lower your average age of accounts and/or increase your credit utilization ratio. Instead of canceling your credit card, consider negotiating with your card issuer for a lower interest rate or lower fees.

How much does your credit score drop if you close a credit card?

If you already have good or excellent credit, closing a credit card generally won’t have a huge impact. If you have a bad credit score already, however,it’s possible that closing a credit card can hurt your score even more. This is especially true if the card you close is one you’ve had for a long time or one with a high credit limit.

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Photo credit: iStock/wichayada suwanachun

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

The SoFi Credit Card is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in direct deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus when they set up direct deposits of at least $1,000 over a consecutive 25-day period. Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of direct deposit. The Program will be available through 12/31/23. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 3/17/2023. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
Members earn 2 rewards points for every dollar spent on purchases. No rewards points will be earned with respect to reversed transactions, returned purchases, or other similar transactions. When you elect to redeem rewards points into your SoFi Checking or Savings account, SoFi Money® account, SoFi Active Invest account, SoFi Credit Card account, or SoFi Personal, Private Student, or Student Loan Refinance, your rewards points will redeem at a rate of 1 cent per every point. For more details, please visit the Rewards page. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. SoFi Securities LLC is an affiliate of SoFi Bank, N.A.

SoFi cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards when redeemed to save, invest, a statement credit, or pay down eligible SoFi debt.

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If you’re thinking about buying a car, it’s important to consider how the purchase will fit into your overall financial responsibilities, including student debt. You’ll want to be sure you can afford both the cost of the car and the ongoing expense of driving and maintaining it.

Refinancing student loans to buy a car is one option that may allow you to free up money to put toward the cost of a car or monthly car payments. Here’s what to know about refinancing student loans to buy a car, if you can use student loans to buy a car, and how to make the choice that’s right for you.

Can I Use Student Loans to Buy a Car?

Federal student loans (and many private ones) are for “qualified” educational expenses, such as tuition, room and board, and books and supplies. And while the cost of transportation (for example, commuting to school) is considered a qualified expense, purchasing a car is not.

So can you use student loans to buy a car if you’re using the car to drive to class? No – only an allowance for the cost of driving the car to school would be an eligible expense. It’s an important distinction: A borrower caught misusing student loan funds can face serious repercussions, including having their loan revoked and the balance becoming immediately due.

Some private loans may have broader criteria for what constitutes an educational expense, and fewer penalties for how you use the loans. Still, using a private student loan to buy a car may not be the most efficient or smartest use of funds. You may end up paying more interest than you would on a typical car loan, and then have fewer funds to go toward the educational expenses you need.

So what do you do if you have student debt and need to buy a car? Refinancing may be an option, and can free up money in your budget to open a car loan. Here’s what to consider before refinancing student loans to buy a car.

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Refinancing Student Loans to Buy a Car

When you refinance a student loan, you pay off all or some of your loans with a new loan with new terms from a private lender. The primary benefit of refinancing is that you can save money over the life of the loan if you’re able to lower your interest rate.

You can also change the terms of your payment, potentially spreading your payment over a longer period of time, and paying less each month. If you go this route, however, you may end up paying more in interest over the life of your loan.

Refinancing student loans can help lower your monthly payments and have more room in your budget to cover the costs of a car. However, it’s important to understand that if you refinance federal student loans, you’ll lose access to federal benefits and protections, such as income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness. If you’re planning to take advantage of any of these federal programs, refinancing is likely not a good option for you.

Pros of Refinancing Student Loans to Buy a Car

Considering the pros and cons of refinancing student loans to buy a car can help you decide if this choice is right for you. You’ll want to be able to cover the costs of the car as you continue to pay your student loans back. Some of the pros of refinancing a student loan to buy a car include:

Lower Monthly Student Loan Payments Can Offset Car Costs

Refinancing your student loans can lower your monthly student loan payment if you’re able to secure a lower interest rate or extend your loan term. A lower monthly student loan payment can mean that you have more funds to cover the costs of buying or maintaining a new car.

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As mentioned, lowering your interest rate can save you money over the life of a loan. Extending your loan term may not save you money, but it can free up cash to have more funds to put toward the costs of a car.

Simplified Payments Can Make Tracking Car Expenses Easier

When you refinance multiple loans into a single new loan, you’ll have one new monthly payment. This can make it easier to keep track of your student loan payments and be sure you’re making them on time.

And if you’re looking for ways to get a car loan, having a simplified student loan payment can make budgeting easier as you add a new loan to the mix. As mentioned earlier, you may find lower interest rates on car loans than what you’re paying on your student loans — another reason using student loans funds toward car expenses may not be the best choice even if they’re allowed according to your loan terms.

Saving Money on Student Loans Can Help Pay for a Car

Many people explore refinancing even when they don’t need to make an immediate purchase like a car. That’s because refinancing may help save money over the life of the loan if you can lower your interest rate.

And while applying for student loans can be arduous, applying to refinance student loans is relatively straightforward. You can check your rate and get an estimate of loan terms before you officially apply, and an application can generally be completed online. You can also compare refinancing rates without triggering a hard credit check—a credit check is only done once a formal loan application is submitted.

Cons of Refinancing Student Loans to Buy a Car

While refinancing student loans to buy a car can be one way to cover car payments when you have existing student debt, there are cons to this option as well. Here are some of the cons of refinancing a student loan to buy a car.

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Losing Access to Original Loan Terms

If you refinance your loans, you lose access to the terms of the original loan. This may be important to consider if you’re refinancing federal loans.

Refinancing federal loans not only means potentially missing out on federal forgiveness or repayment programs, but also the opportunity for deferment or forbearance if you qualify.

As mentioned earlier, if you plan to take advantage of federal programs, refinancing is likely not a good option for you. Some people may choose only to refinance private loans.

Repayment May Take Longer

If you extend the length of your student loan term when you refinance to lower your monthly payments to offset the costs of a new car, it will take longer to repay your loan and you may end up paying more in interest over the life of the loan.

Overstretching Your Budget

It’s important to make sure that you can afford any car loan that you take out. If you’re planning on getting a car loan or leasing a car, will you be able to comfortably cover your student loans, the car payment, and other bills? What would happen if you were to lose a job or source of income? Those questions can help you assess whether a car payment would stretch you financially.

A borrower who can’t make the payments risks having the car repossessed and damaging their credit. If you ever think you’ll miss a monthly car payment, reach out to your lender to find out what your options are. Down the road, refinancing your car loan is also an option if you’re able to secure better terms.

Pros of refinancing student loans to buy a car	Cons of refinancing student loans to buy a car
Lower monthly student loan payments can offset car costs	Losing access to federal benefits and protections if you refinance federal loans
Simplified payments can make tracking car expenses easier	Longer repayment time if you extend your term
Saving money on student loans can help pay for a car	Overstretching your budget if you’re not able to afford the costs of a new car

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Refinancing Your Student Loans With SoFi

When you need a new car, you may need to rethink your finances in order to cover the costs. Refinancing student loans to buy a car is one option that can help you free up funds. You may be able to lower your monthly payments and save money over the life of the loan if you qualify for a lower interest rate. You can calculate your potential savings using a student loan refinance calculator.

Refinancing can be a good option if you’re able to qualify for a lower interest rate and are not planning to use any federal programs. When you refinance a federal loan, you lose access to federal benefits and protections.

If you’re considering refinancing your student loans, SoFi offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and no fees.

Learn more about whether refinancing student loans with SoFi is right for you.

FAQ

Do car dealerships look at student loans?

Your student loans appear on your credit report. If you apply for a car loan from a dealership, then they may be able to see your payment history and your credit score on your credit report. Student loans also count toward your debt-to-income ratio which may affect your ability to secure a car loan.

Does financing a car affect student loans?

Financing a car won’t affect your current student loans, but consider how taking on another loan will impact your finances. It’s important to be certain that you’ll be able to pay both your student loan payments and any new car loan payments on time. Refinancing a student loan can help offset the costs of a new car if you can save money by qualifying for a lower interest rate. It can be a good option if you’re refinancing private loans or not planning to take advantage of any federal programs.

Is it smart to buy a car after college?

Buying a car after college is a personal decision. But keep in mind that a lot can change in a few years, and a new car or a lease may be a liability if your plans change. It may make sense to consider buying a used car or holding off on buying a car until you have a sense of what your commute and lifestyle will look like.

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Photo credit: iStock/LeoPatrizi

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.

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.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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